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THE GLOBE EDITION. 



MORTE DARTHUR. 






MORTE DAEi^^EmiR 

Sir Thomas Mdht^fs ,Sook ^JriL 
of King ArtJntr and 
of the Rou\ 



J^dle 



The original edition of Caxton revis^dfor 



^^< 



n*i>fre»r use. 



Ay, 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION, 
BY 

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY, Bart. 




^I)aaticli)]bia : J. b. lippincott and co. 

Honlron: MAC MI LEAN AND CO. 

1868 






Oxford : 

By T. Combe, M.A., E. B. Gard?ier, E. P. Hall, and H. Latham, M.A. 

Printers to .tha University. 



By Transfer 
Dopt. of State 

DEC 1 1935 



^>2- 



K 



PAGE. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



§ I. The Origin and Matter of the Book. 

Caxt on.— Malory. — The Book epic in plan. — Maloiy's use of the old 
romances. — His History. — The Sangreal. — His Geography. — Camelot. 
— Glastonbury. — Almesbury. — Joyous Gard. — Morality of the. Book . vii 

§ 2. The Text and its several Editions. 

The edition of Caxton, 14^5.— Those of Wynkyn de Worde, 1498 and 1529. 
— Of Copland, 1557.— Of East, without date.— Edition of 1634. — 
— Of 1816.— Southey's edition of 1817. — Discovery of interpolations in 
that edition. — Mr. Wright's edition, 1858. — Character and object of 
the present edition .......... xiv 

§ 3. An Essay on Chivalry. 

Origin of Chivalry.— Contest of Civilization with Barbarism. — The Cheva- 
lier and the Knight. — His education. — Amadis and Oriana. — The 
Black Prince. — Birth not essential to Knighthood. — The Lady. — 
Queen Philippa. — Decay of Chivalry. — Knights of Malta. — Modern 
Manners xix 



THE BOOK OF KING ARTHUR. 

Preface of William Caxton i 

The Table or Rubrysshe of the Contents of Chapters . 3 

The Book of King Arthur, Books I to XXI ... 25 

Notes 488 

Glossary 493 



)rov] 
)ir 



INTRODUCTION. 

§ I. The Origin and Matter of the Book. 

We owe this our English Epic of Morte Arthur to Sir Thomas Malory, and to 
William Caxton the first English printer. Caxton's Preface shows (what indeed 
would have been certain from his appeal to the ' Knights of England ' at the end 
of ' The Order of Chivalry ') that however strongly he, ' William Caxton, simple 
person,' may have been urged to undertake the work by ' divers gentlemen of this 
realm of England,' he was not less moved by his own love and reverence for ' the 
hoble acts of chivalry,' and his deep sense of his duty and responsibility in printing 
What he believed would be for the instruction and profit of his readers, ' of what- 
ever estate or degree.' But to Sir Thomas Malory he gives all the honour of having 
-ided him with the copy which he printed. I retain the more usual spelling of 
Thomas Malory's name, though it is also written Malorye and Maleore. The 
Lst indeed is the form in the words with which he himself concludes his work ; but 
as Caxton printed, and therefore knew, this no less than the other forms, and as 
tven so late as the time of Mai-vell and Pym men of education did not keep to one 
^ay of writing their own names, we cannot infer that one is more correct than the 
Uhers, though probably we may that Malory most nearly represents the pro- 
nunciation to us. Malory was an old Yorkshire name in Leland's time \ and is 
mentioned in the next century in Burton's ' Description of Leicestershire ^ ;' but 
we have nothing but the name to connect Sir Thomas Malory with these families. 
Leland indeed, according to the 'Biographia Britannica,' says he was a Welchman'. 
From his own words we learn that he was a knight, and from his adding that he 
was ' a servant of Jesu both day and night,' as well as from the general tone of the 
book, it has been inferred that he was a priest. And he tells us that he ended his 
book in the ninth year of Edward the Fourth, or about fifteen years before Caxton 

1 ' There be 2 Lordshipps lyenge not pedigree] of the Malorys.' ' In Swinford 

very far from Ripon .... Malory hath arms and pedigrees of the Malorys.' Bur- 

Hjittoti Coniers. Thes Lands cam to their ton's Description of Leicestershire, 1622, 

Aunciters by two Dowghtars, Heirs Gene- Fol. Quoted by Oldys, The British Li- 

rall of that Coniers. Malory hath another brarian, pp. 2 ^3, 297. 

Place caullyd Hlghe Studly, a litle from ^ Biographia Britannica, art. ' Caxton ;' 

Fontaines' Leland's Itinerary, viii. 2. p. 55. but no reference is given by which to 

Hearne, 171 2. verify the quotation. 

■^ ' In Kirby-Malory those [arms and 



INTRODUCTION. 



■4 

finished printing it. It has been usual to assume that, because Caxton says that 
Sir Thomas Malory took his work ' out of certain books of French and reduced 
it into English,' he was a mere compiler and translator. But the book itself shows 
that he was its author — its ' maker,' as he would have called it. Notwithstanding 
his occasionally inartificial manner of connecting the materials drawn from the old 
romances — 'in Welch many, and also in French, and some in English' — there 
is an epic unity and harmony, and a beginning, middle, and end, which, if they 
have come by chance and not of design, have come by that chance which only j 
befalls an Homeric or a Shakspeare-like man. If we compare the first part j 
of Malory's work with the old prose romance^ which supplied the materials for ' 
it, we see at once how he has converted that prose into poetry, giving life and . 
beauty to the coarse clods of earth, and transmuting by his art the legends which 
he yet faithfully preserves. For the long and repulsive narrative of Merlin's 
origin he substitutes a slight allusion to it ; without disguising what he probably 
believed to be at least an half historical record of Arthur's birth, he gives a 
grace and dignity to the story by the charms of his mother's character, the finer 
touches of which are wanting in the original : and so through the whole of this 
part of the story. The plan of the book is properly epic. While the glory of 
Arthur as the head of the kingdoms no less than of the chivalry of Christendom 
is only in its early dawn, Merlin warns him that the seeds of death will spring 
up in all this fair promise through the sin of himself and of his queen. Still the | 
fame and the honour of the king and his knights of the Round Table open con- 
tinually into new and brighter forms, which seem above the reach of any adverse 
fate, till the coming of the Sancgreal, into the quest of which all the knights enter j 
with that self-reliance which had become them so well in the field of worldly '-■ 
chivalry, but which would be of no avail now. They are now to be tried by other 
tests than those by which they had been proved as ' earthly knights and lovers,' 
tests., which even Launcelot, Ector de Maris, Gawaine, and the other chiefest of the 
fellowship could not stand. The quest is achieved by the holy knights alone : two 
depart from this life to a higher, while Sir Bors, not quite spotless, yet forgiven and 
sanctified, the link between the earthly and the spiritual worlds, returns to aid in 
restoring the glory of the feasts and tournaments at Camelot and Westminster. But 
the curse is at work : the severance between good and evil which had been declared 
through the Sancgreal cannot be closed again ; and the tragic end comes on, in 
spite of the efforts — touching from their very weakness — of Arthur and Launcelot 
to avert the woe, the one by vainly trying to resist temptation, the other by refusing 
to believe evil of his dearest friend. The black clouds open for a moment as the 
sun goes down ; and we see Arthur in the barge which bears him to the Holy 

1 Merlin, or the Early History of 1865 -8. This is a translation, contem- 
King Arthur, edited by Henry B. Wheat- porary with Malory's work, from the 
ley, for the Early English Text Society, French which he doubtless used. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Isle ; Guenever, the nun of Almesbury, living in fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds ; 
and Launcelot with his fellowship, once knights but now hermit-priests, ' doing 
bodily all manner of service.' 

Nor are the marks of haimony and unity less plain in the several characters 
than in the events of the story. Arthur is a true knight, sharing the characteristics 
of his nobler knights, yet he differs from them all in showing also that he is, 
and feels himself to be, a king; as when — with an imperiousness which reminds us 
of Froissart's story of Edward III refusing to listen to Sir Walter Manny's remon- 
strances on behalf of the burgesses of Calais — he tells Sir Launcelot that he ' takes 
no force whom he grieves,' or insists on his entering the lists against a tired knight 
whom he is not willing to see victorious over the whole field; or as when he sadly 
regrets that he cannot do battle for his wife, though he believes her innocent, 
but must be a rightful judge according to the laws. There are many others of the 
Round Table who are ' very perfect gentle knights,' yet we feel that Launcelot 
stands distinct among them all in the pre-eminence of his knightliness, notwith- 
standing his one great sin. Thus, to take one of many instances, who but 
Launcelot would have borne the taunts and the violence of Gawaine with his 
humble patience and ever-renewed efforts for a reconciliation, when he was leaving 
the realm, and when he was besieged in Joyous Gard. Modern critics of great 
name agree in censuring Sir Thomas Malory for departing from the old authorities 
who represented Gawaine as the very counterpart of Launcelot in knightly cha- 
racter : but I rather see a proof of Malory's art in giving us a new Gawaine with 
a strongly individual character of his own. Gawaine's regard for his mother's 
honour, his passion for Ettard, and his affection for his brothers, are savage 
impulses driving him to unknightly and unworthy deeds, yet he is far from being 
represented as a mere villain. If ISIalory depicts him thirsting to revenge upon 
Launcelot the unintentional killing of Gaheris and Gareth, he depicts also his long 
previous affection for Launcelot and his opposition to the hostility of his other 
brother, Mordred, against him ; his devotion to his uncle Arthur ; his hearty re- 
pentance towards Launcelot at the last ; and his entreaty that he would ' see his 
tomb, and pray some prayer more or less for his soul.' Nor must we forget that 
it was by the prayer of those ladies for whom Gawaine had ' done battle in a right- 
wise quarrel,' that his ghost was permitted to give Arthur a last warning. Distinct 
again from the character of this fierce knight is that of the Saracen Palamides, 
whose unquestionable -courage and skill in deeds of chivalry also want — though 
in another way than Gawaine's — the gentleness, the meekness, and the delicate 
sense of honour of the Christian knight. Sir Dinadan again, who can give and 
take hard knocks if need be, though he has no great bodily strength, and who is 
always bantering the good knights who know and esteem him with his humorous 
protests against love and arms, is a distinctly drawn character. So is Merlin; 
so are many others whose names I might recite. The dignity of queen Guenever 
towards her husband and her court is not less marked than her guilty passion 



INTRODUCTION. 



for Launcelot, and the unreasoning jealousy it excites in her. The wife-like sim- 
plicity of Igraine, the self-surrender beyond all limit, though from different 
impulses, of the two Elaines, the pertness of the damsel Linet, and the piety 
and self-sacrifice of Sir Percivale's sister, will occur to the reader among the 
distinctive characteristics of the different ladies and damsels who live and move, 
each in her own proper form, in the story. Sir Thomas Malory, as we know, found 
many of these men and women already existing in the old romances as he repre- 
sents them to us ; but we may believe that those earlier books were to him 
something of what the pages of Plutarch and Holinshed were to Shakspeare. 

In the Introduction to Southey's edition of Morte Arthur the student will find 
an account of the principal early prose romances in which sources of Sir Thomas 
Maloiy's book have been found, and the English translation of one of these has 
been mentioned above ; while the volumes of Ellis, Sir Walter Scott's ' Sir Tristrem,' 
and the publications of the Early English Text and the Camden Societies, and of 
Mr. Furnivall, supply specimens of the metrical romances of the like kind. But as 
they are only attractive to the antiquarian student, who requires the originals and 
not abstracts, I shall say no more of them here. 

Nor shall I attempt to illustrate Malory's book by the ancient historical or 
legendary accounts of the British King Arthur. The most recent critics are dis- 
posed to prefer Gibbon's belief to Milton's scepticism as to the actual existence 
of Arthur : but of the history and the geography of the book before us we can only 
say that they are something 

' Apart from place, withholding time, 
But flattering the golden prime ' 

of the great hero of English romance. We cannot bring within any limits of 
history the events which here succeed each other, when the Lords and Commons 
of England, after the death of King Uther at St. Alban's, assembled at the 
greatest church of London, guided by the joint policy of the magician Merlin and 
the Christian bishop of Canterbury, and elected Arthur to the throne; when 
Arthur made Carlion, or Camelot, or both, his head-quarters in a war against 
Cornwall, Wales, and the North, in which he was victorious by help of the 
king of France ; when he met the demand for tribute by the Roman emperor 
Lucius with a counter-claim to the empire for himself as the real representative of 
Constantine, held a parliament at York to make the necessary arrangements, 
crossed the sea from Sandwich to Barflete in Flanders, met the united forces of 
the Romans and Saracens in Burgundy, slew the emperor in a great battle, 
together with his allies, the sowdan of Syria, the king of Egypt, and the king of 
Ethiopia, sent their bodies to the Senate and Podestk of Rome as the only tribute 
he would pay, and then followed over the mountains through Lombardy and 
Tuscany to Rome, where he was crowned emperor by the Pope, ' sojourned there 
a time, established all his lands from Rome unto France, and gave lands and realms 
unto his servants and knights,' and so returned home to England, where he 



INTRODUCTION. 



seems thenceforth to have devoted himself wholly to his duties as the head of 
Christian knighthood. 

There is indeed one point of the legendary history on which the reader may wish 
me to give some explanation : — What was the Sancgreal ? Graal or greal (derived 
from crater) in the Romance language^ signifies a drinking- vessel, a dish, or a 
tureen : and according to the romances of Le S. Graal, Lancelot du Lac, Perceforest, 
and Morte Arthur, the Sancgreal, or Holy Graal, was the dish which held the 
paschal lamb of the Last Supper. Joseph of Arimathea having gone into the house 
where the Supper had been eaten, took away the dish, and in it received the blood 
from the wounds of Jesus ; and this dish, ' with part of the blood of our Lord,' he 
brought with him into England, and with it converted many heathens ; and it was 
kept in a tower expressly built for it at Corbenicy. The romance of Merlin says 
that ' this vessel was brought to this said knight [Joseph of Arimathea] by our 
Lord Jesu Christ while he was in prison xl. winter, him to comfort,* but does not 
mention its earlier histoiy. And notwithstanding the authority of Perceforest that 
the Sancgreal was preserved in England, it may still be seen in the cathedral of 
Genoa, there called Sacro Catino, with the same tradition as to its original uses as 
is given above. It was brought from C^esarea in iioi, and is an hexagonal dish, of 
two palms width, long supposed to be of real emerald, which it resembles in colour 
and brilliancy. 

The geography of Arthur's Roman war is very coherent ; but that of the rest of 
the book it is often impossible to harmonise. The scene opens within a night's 
ride of the castle of Tintagil, the ruins of which may still be seen in Cornwall. 
Thence we pass to St. Alban's, to London, and to Carlion. This last is, no do^ubt, 
Caerleon-upon-Usk ; but it seems through this, as in other romances, to be inter- 
changeable in the author's mind with Carlisle, or (as written in its Anglo-Norman 
form) Cardoile, which latter in the History of Merhn is said to be in \Yales, while 
elsewhere Wales and Cumberland are confounded in like manner. So of Camelot, 
where Arthur chiefly held his court, Caxton in his Preface speaks as though it 
were in Wales, probably meaning Caerleon, where the Roman amphitheatre is 
still called Arthur's Round Table. Malory himself, though at page 49 he seems 
to connect Camelot with Avelion, or Glastonbury, yet farther on, page 63, says 
that Camelot is Winchester, where, too, there is a Round Table, mentioned by 
Caxton, and still to be seen, — an oaken board with the knights' names on it. 
And yet at the time these authorities wrote Camelot itself existed in Somersetshire 
with its proper name, and with all the remains of an important town and fortress, 
and, doubtless, the traditions of Arthur which Leland found there, and which in 
great part at least remain to this day. Leland calls it Camallate or Camalat, 
' sometime a famous town or castle, upon a very torre or hill, wonderfully 

^ Roquefort, Glossaire de Langue Ro- the original passages from the first three 
mane, art. ' Graal :' where are also given romances nanied in the text. 



INTRODUCTION. 



enstrengthened of nature^.' Four ditches and as many walls surrounded a central 
space of about thirty acres where foundations and remains of walls might be seen, 
and whence Roman pavements, urns, coins, and other relics have been found up 
to the present time. I find it called the Castle of Camellek in maps of the dates 
of 1575 and 1610, and in that of the 1727 edition of Camden's Magna Britannica, 
the text of which says ' the inhabitants call it King Arthur's Palace.* But soon 
after that date a learned antiquarian^ writes that the name had been superseded by 
that of Cadbury Castle, which trilingual appellation may seem to indicate 
the Roman, British, and Saxon possessors by whom it was probably held in suc- 
cession. The neighbouring villages which, according to Leland, bore ' the name 
of Camalat with an addition, as Queen-Camel,' still exist as Queen-Camel, or East 
Camel, and West Camel, and near by runs the river Camel, crossed by Arthur's 
Bridge. Arthur's Well still springs from the hill-side, and if Arthur's Hunting 
Causeway in the field below, Arthur's Round Table and Arthur's Palace within 
the camp, cannot still, as of old, be pointed out to the visitor, the peasant girl 
will still tell him that within that charmed circle they who look may see through 
golden gates a king sitting in the midst of his court. Drayton describes the river 
Ivel in Somersetshire as 

• The nearest neighbouring flood to Arthur's ancient seat. 
Which made the Britaines name thro' all the world so great. 
Like Camelot what place was ever yet renown'd ? 
Where, as at Caerleon, oft he kept the Table Round, 
Most famous for the sports at Pentecost so long. 
From whence all knightly deeds and brave atchievements sprong^.' 

Glastonbury — founded by Joseph of Arimathea, and his burial-place, though his 
body was vainly sought in Edward Ill's reign — still claims to possess the coffin of 
Arthur. It is said that Henry II found the bodies of Arthur and Guenever there, 
and that Guenever had yellow hair. Their skulls were afterwards taken for relics 
by Edward Longshanks and Eleanor. 

Almesbury, where Guenever died a nun, is a town in Wiltshire, seven and a half 
miles from Salisbury, where may still be seen the ruins of its celebrated abbey. 
The name was originally Ambrosebury, then Ambresbury, and lastly Amesbury, as 
it is now spelt. 

Joyous Gard, Launcelot's favourite castle, is sometimes identified with Berwick. 
Malory tells us that ' some men say it was Anwick, and some men say it was Bam- 
borow.' Bamborow, or Bamborough, is in Northumberland, sixteen miles south- 
. east of Berwick. The castle, founded in the middle of the sixth century, which is 
the supposed time of Arthur's reign, stands on a high rock projecting into the 
North Sea. It now contains a granary, hospital, and other endowments made 
for the poor in 171 5 by Lord Crewe, bishop of Durham. Did he think of his 

1 Itinerary, ii. pp. 38, 39 ; Hearne, 171 1. 
- Somersetshire Illustrated, by John Strachey, MS, 1736. ^ Polyolbion, 3rd Song. 



INTRODUCTION. 



predecessor Launcelot, and his doles of ' flesh, fish, wine and ale, and twelve pence 
to any man and woman, come who would ? ' 

The names of some other places in this book are given in the Glossary. 

Lastly, the perplexed question of the morality of the book demands our notice. 
If it does not deserve the unqualified denunciation of the learned Ascham, it 
cannot be denied that Morte Arthur exhibits a picture of a society far lower 
than our own in morals, and depicts it with far less repugnance to its evil 
elements, on the part either of the author or his personages, than any good man 
would now feel. Still — with the exception of stories like those of the birth of 
Arthur and Galahad, which show not only another state of manners from our own, 
but also a really different standard of morals from any which we should now hold 
up — the writer does for the most part endeavour, though often in but an imperfect and 
confused manner, to distinguish between vice and virtue, and honestly to reprobate 
the former ; and thus shows that his object is to recognise and support the nobler 
elements of the social state in which he lived, and to carry them towards new 
triumphs over the evil. And even where, as in the story of Tristram, there is 
palliation rather than reprobation of what Sir Walter Scott justly calls ' the extreme 
ingratitude and profligacy of the hero,' still the fact that such palliation, by repre- 
senting King Mark as the most worthless of men, was thought necessary in the 
later, though not in the earlier, romance on the same subject, shows an upward 
progi^ess in morals ; while a real effort to distinguish virtue from vice is to be seen 
in the story of Launcelot, with his sincere though weak struggles against temp- 
tation, and his final penitence under the punishment of the woes which his guilt has 
brought on all dear to him as well as to himself. Or if we look at the picture 
which Chaucer's works give us of the co-existence in one mind — and that perhaps 
the noblest of its age — of the most virtuous Christian refinement and the most 
brutish animal coarseness, and then see how in the pages of Malory, infeiior as we 
must hold him to be to Chaucer, the brutish vice has dwindled to half its former 
size, and is far more clearly seen to be vice, while the virtue, if not more elevated 
in itself, is more avowedly triumphant over the evil, we find the same upward 
progress. And I cannot doubt that it was helped on by this book, and that 
notwithstanding Ascham's condemnation of Morte Arthur, Caxton was right in 
believing that he was serving God and his countrymen by printing it ; and 
that he justly estimated its probable effect when he says, ' Herein may be seen noble 
chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, 
murder, hate, virtue, sin. Do after the good, and leave the evil, and it shall bring 
you to good fame and renommee. . . . All is written for our doctrine, and for to 
beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by which 
we may come and attain to good fame and renomme in this life, and after this short 
and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven ; the which He grant 
us that reigneth in heaven, the blessed Trinity. Amen.' 



INTRODUCTION. 



§ 2. The Text, and its several Editions. 

The first edition of Le Morte Darthur was printed by Caxton at West- 
minster in 1485, as he tells us in the colophon. Two copies only are known : 
they are folio, black-letter, with wide margin, and among the finest speci- 
mens of Caxton's printing. One is in the library of the Earl of Jersey at Osterley ; 
and the other in that of Earl Spencer at Althorp. The Osterley copy, which has 
the autograph ' Oxford' on the first leaf, was sold with the Harleian Library to 
Osborne the bookseller, and apparently bought of him for £5 5s. by Bryan Fairfax, 
who sold his library to Mr. Child, maternal ancestor of the Earl of Jersey^. It is 
perfect, except that it has no title-page, though, as the Proheme or Preface begins 
at the top of the recto of signature ij (not 'a ij' as Dibdin says), I infer that a title did 
exist on the leaf j, thus shown to be wanting. The Althorp copy, which was 
bought at Mr. Lloyd's sale in 1816 for £320, had eleven leaves deficient ; but these 
were supplied by Mr. Whittaker in fac-simile from the Osterley copy with remark- 
able skill^ though on collation with the original I have found some oversights. 

The two next editions of Morte Arthur were printed by Wynkyn de Worde, the 
chief workman and successor of Caxton, in 1498 and 1529. Only one copy of each 
is known. That of 1498 is in the Althorp Library : it wants the Title and part of 
the Table of Contents, but contains the Preface, which is a reprint of that of 
Caxton, though it here follows instead of preceding the Table of Contents. This 
edition, which has numerous woodcuts, is not an exact reprint of Caxton's ; there 
are differences of spelling and occasionally of a word ; and the passage in the last 
chapter but one, beginning ' Oh ye mighty and pompous lords,' and ending with 
' turn again to my matter,' which is not in Caxton's edition, appears here, as in all 
later editions^. The edition of 1529 is in the British Museum, and wants the Title, 
Preface, and part of the Table of Contents. 

In 1557 the book was reprinted by William Copland, with the title of 'The 
story of the most noble and worthy kynge Arthur, the whiche was one of the 
worthyes chrysten, and also of his noble and valiaute knyghtes of the rounde 

^ Dibdin's Typographical Antiquities, de Worde's first edition of Morte Arthur, 

1810, vol. i. pp. 242, 254. as also for favouring me with details of 

^ Dibdin's Supplement to the Biblio- information respecting the former ; and to 

theca Spenceriana, vol. ii. p. 213 ; or JEdes the Earl of Jersey for permitting me to 

Althorpianae, vol. vi. p. 2 1 3. I would here examine his Caxton at Osterley. 
express my thanks to Earl Spencer for send- ^ As the passage is worth preserving I 

ing to the British Museum for my use his have given it at the end of the volume, 

Caxton, and his unique copy of Wynkyn Note A, p. 488. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Table. Newly imprynted and corrected mccccclvij, 1[ Impr^'nted at London by 
Wyllyam Copland.' And on the title-page, above the last line, is a woodcut of 
St. George and the Dragon, of which that on the title-page of Southey's edition is 
a bad copy. A copy of this edition is in the British Museum, with a note that this 
is the only one with a title which the annotator has seen. 

There is a folio edition by Thomas East, without date, in the British Museum ;* 
and there is said to be a quarto edition, also without date. 

The next, and last black-letter, edition is that of 1634, which has been reprinted 
by Mr. Wright, and which contains the woodcut of the Round Table with Arthur 
in the middle and his knights around, a copy of which is familiar to many of us in 
one of the small editions of 1816. From the fact of an omission in this edition 
which exactly corresponds with a complete leaf in East's folio, Mr. Wright con- 
cludes that the one was printed from the other. Each succeeding edition departs 
more than the previous one from the original of Caxton ; but if we compare 
this of 1634 with Caxton's, we find the variations almost infinite. Besides re- 
modelling the preface, dividing the book into three parts, and modernising the 
spelling and many of the words, there are a number of more or less considerable 
variations and additions, of which Mr. Wright has given some of the more im- 
portant in his notes, but which I estimate at above twenty thousand in the 
whole ; and which have plainly arisen in the minor instances from the printer read- 
ing a sentence and then printing it from recollection, without farther reference to 
his ' copy,' but in the others from a desire to improve the original simplicity by 
what the editor calls ' a more eloquent and ornated style and phrase.' 

No new edition seems to have been published till 181 6, when two independent 
editions appeared, one in two, and the other in three 24mo. volumes. Both are 
modernised for popular use, and are probably the volumes through which most of 
us made our first acquaintance with King Arthur and his knights ; but neither 
has any merit as to its editing. 

In 1817 Messrs. Longmans & Co. published an edition in two volumes quarto, 
with an introduction and notes by Southey, who says, ' The present edition is a 
reprint with scrupulous exactness from the first edition by Caxton, in Earl 
Spencer's library^' As it appears from a note 2 that he had nothing to do with 
the superintendence of the press, which was undertaken by Mr. Upcott, he was 
probably unaware that eleven leaves were, as I have mentioned above, then 
wanting in the copy from which this reprint was made. These had not then 
been restored in fac-simile; for Earl Spencer's copy contains a note, signed by 
Messrs. Longmans and dated 18 16, which gives a list of the pages then wanting ; 
and, in fact, the substitutes for them which actually appear in Southey's edition 
differ widely from the restored, or the original, text. Thus in chapter xii. of the 
last book, besides the interpolation of the long passage ' O ye myghty and 

* Vol. i. p. xxviii. ^ Ibid. p. Iviii. 



INTRODUCTION. 



pompous lordes,' &c., which is not in Caxton, there are in the first eleven lines 
thirty-five variations of spelling and punctuation, besides the introduction of the 
words ' but continually mourned un — ' and ' needfully as nature required,' which 
are not in Caxton, and the change of Caxton's ' on the tombe of kyng Arthur & 
queue Guenever ' into ' on kynge Arthur's & queue Gwenever's tombe.' And thus 
throughout the pages in question — seventeen in number ^ — the spelling constantly, and 
words and even sentences occasionally, differ from the real text of Caxton ^ 

When at page 113 of volume i. the editor introduces the words 'certayne cause' 
to complete the sense, he is careful to call attention, in a foot-note, to the fact that 
these words are not in the original, but taken from ' the second edition,' by which 
I presume he means that of 1498. But when he subsequently supplies seventeen 
pages which were also not in his original, he gives no hint of the fact ; and his reti- 
cence has been so successful that for fifty years the interpolations have passed as 
genuine among learned critics, who have quoted from them passages wholly 
spurious as Caxton's genuine text. It was only last year that, in collating Earl 
Spencer's copy with the edition of Southey, I discovered that these passages — to 
which my attention was directed by Messrs. Longmans' note above mentioned — 
did not correspond with Caxton's text, as represented by Whittaker's restorations : 
and on afterwards collating them with the Osterley text itself I found the like result. 
It remained to trace them to their real sources. This has not been so easy as might 
be supposed, for though it was evident that Mr. Upcott must have had recourse to 
one or other of the existing editions, the interpolated passages in fact agree exactly 
with none of them. But a careful collation of the last four chapters of the book 
(which include more than half the interpolations, and may be taken as a fair speci- 
men of the whole) with the old texts, leaves no doubt that, with the exception of 
the first thirty-six lines of chapter x, they were taken, like the two words mentioned 
above, from the first edition of Wynkyn de Worde, but with the spelling occa- 
sionally altered, and here and there a small word put in, left out, or changed. 
These alterations throw an ingenious disguise over the whole ; but if we penetrate 
through this we find that in these four chapters there are only thirteen words 
differing from those in Wynkyn de Worde's first edition, and these unimportant ; 
while in his second edition, and in those of Copland, and East, the variations from 
Mr. Upcott's text of the same chapters are respectively fifty-seven, fifty-six, and fifty 
in number, and many of them important in kind : and if we go to the edition of 1 634 
we find the differences still greater, except as to those thirty-six lines, which are 
supplied from this edition, as they were wanting in the other copy. But the colo- 
phon, or concluding paragraph of the book, Mr. Upcott could not take from any of 

* The pages are vol. i. p. 167, line 18, ^ An account of these interpolations 

to p. 169, line 17; p. 275, third line from was given by me in the Athenaeum of 

bottom, to p. 279, line 5 from bottom; Sept. 7 and Dec. 10, 1867, and Feb. 10, 

vol. ii. p. 202, line 13, to p. 204, line 14; 1868. 



p. 446, line 5, to end of 455. 



INTRODUCTION. 



the editions which followed that of Caxton ; for though Wynkyn de Worde might, 
and in fact did, supply at least one or two of the first words, the latter part of his 
colophon relates to his own edition, and departs widely from that of Caxton, 
while those in the later editions are still more unlike ; and yet Mr. Upcott's colophon 
is a tolerable, though not an exact, representation of that of Caxton. But his other 
materials can be ascertained beyond a doubt. They are, the colophon as given by 
Ames, and repeated by Dibdin in a modernised and otherwise inexact foi-mS and 
that which first appeared in the Catalogue of the Harleian Library 2, and was 
thence copied in the article on Caxton in the Bio^raphia Biitannica, and also in 
Herbert's Additions to Ames. The colophons of Ames and of the Harleian Cata- 
logue have important variations from each other and from that of Caxton ; and as 
Mr. Upcott adopts some portions of each which are not found either in the other, 
or in Caxton, we see the manner in which the paragraph in question was com- 
pounded. Each stone of the ingeniously fitted mosaic may be referred to the place 
from which it was taken. We cannot indeed choose positively between Ames and 
Dibdin, or among the Harleian Catalogue, the Biographia, and Herbert ; but as 
the two paragraphs which are required in addition to that of Wynkyn de Worde 
are both found in Herbert's Ames, it seems most probable that Mr. UpccJtt had 
recourse to that work, though another combination would have served the purpose 
equally well. That the interpolated passages are not taken from the Osterley 
Caxton itself, even in the roughest and most careless manner, is quite evident ^. 

Lastly, in 1858 Mr. Wright pubhshed an edition reprinted from that of 1634, 
with an introduction and notes of considerable interest. 

The Early English Text Society promise us a reprint of the original Caxton 
which shall be free from the faults of that of Southey, which meanwhile is, except 
in the interpolated passages, a very faithful representation of that original for 
the purposes of the antiquarian and philologist ; and whatever like interest there 
may be in the edition of 1634 is available in the reprint of Mr. Wright. But 
neither, is readable with pleasure by any but the student, and the two modernised 
editions are out of print. What is wanted, therefore, is an edition for ordinary 
readers, and especially for boys, from whom the chief demand for this book will 
always come ; and such an edition the present professes to be. It is a reprint of 
the original Caxton with the spelling modernised, and those few words which are 
unintelligibly obsolete replaced by others which, though not necessarily unknown to 
Caxton, are still in use, yet with all old forms retained which do not interfere 
with this requirement of being readable. For. when, as indeed is oftenest the 
case, the context makes even an obsolete phrase probably, if not precisely, known, 

* Typographical Antiquities, by Ames ^ Catalogus Bibl. Harleianac, 1744, vol. 

and Herbert, 1785, vol. i. p. 61; Ibid. iii. no, 372. 

enlarged by Dibdin, 1810, vol. i. p. 253. ^ g^g Ko^t B at the end of the volume. 

The • Additions' are at the end of vol. iii. p. 488. 
of Herbert's edition. 



INTRODUCTION. 



I have left it in the text, and given its meaning in the Glossary, in which I have 
chiefly followed Roquefort, Halliwell, and Wright. In the Glossary I have also 
added a few geographical notes for those readers who may care for them. And for 
the like reason — of making the book readable— such phrases or passages as are 
not in accordance with modern manners have been also omitted or replaced by 
others which either actually occur or might have occurred in Caxton's text else- 
where. I say manners, not morals, because I do not profess to have remedied 
the moral defects of the book which I have already spoken of. Mr. Tennyson 
has shown us how we may deal best with this matter for modern uses, in so 
far as Sir Thomas Malory has himself failed to treat it rightly ; and I do not 
believe that when we have excluded what is offensive to modern manners there 
will be found anything practically injurious to the morals of English boys, for 
whom I have chiefly undertaken this work, while there is much of moral worth 
which I know not where they can learn so well as from the ideals of magnani- 
mity, courage, courtesy, reverence for women, gentleness, self-sacrifice, chastity, 
and other manly virtues, exhibited in these pages. 

The omissions, not many, were essential to the publication of the book at all for 
popular reading ; but if any one blames the other departures from the exact form of 
the original, I would ask him to judge from the specimens of the old type and 
spelling which I have given at the end of each book, and of the volume, whether a 
literal and verbal reproduction of the whole would not be simply unreadable except 
by students of old English. And if some departure from the original was necessary, 
it was reasonable to carry it so far as, though no farther than, my purpose required. 
And, subject to these conditions, the present volume is in fact a more accurate 
reproduction of Caxton's text than any other except that of Southey. I have, indeed, 
made use of Southey's text for this edition, having satisfied myself by collation 
with the Althorp and Osterley Caxtons that it is an accurate reprint excepting as to 
the passages above mentioned ; and these have been taken by me, in like manner, 
from the only existing original. 

There is no title-page, as I have already mentioned, to the Osterley or the 
Althorp Caxton, that which is given by several bibliographers being only an 
extract, not very critically selected, from Caxton's preface. But it is evident from 
Caxton's colophon that the real title or name of the book was Le Morte 
Darthur, and he explains that it was so ' entitled ' notwithstanding it treated of 
Arthur's birth, life, and acts as well as death, and also of the adventures of his 
knights of the Round Table. And the concluding words of Malory, ' Here is the 
end of the death of Arthur,' taken with their context, point to the same title. It was 
indeed before Malory's time, and has been ever since, the traditional title of this 
story. "We have Mort Artus and Morte Arthure in the earlier times; Ascham, 
in Henry VIH's reign, calls this book La Morte d' Arthure ; Tyrwhitt, Mort 
d'Arthur ; and Walter Scott and Southey, Morte Arthur, which last probably many 
of us are familiar with as the old name which we heard from our own fathers. 



INTRODUCTION. 



3. An Essay on Chivalry. 



Sr. Augustine replied to the enquiiy, What is time? by saying, 'I know when 
you do not ask me : ' and a like answer suggests itself to us if we try to find an 
adequate reply to the question, What is Chivalry ? For chivalry is one of those 
words, like love, duty, patriotism, loyalty, which make us feel their meaning, and 
the reality of what they mean, though their ideal and comprehensive character 
hinders us from readily putting it into the forms of a definition. When the alche- 
mist in the Eastern tale compounds, with all the resources of his art, the universal 
solvent before the expectant eyes of his pupil, the pupil, seeing the mysterious 
fluid lie quietly in the crucible, exclaims, with not unreasonable doubt, ' O Sage, 
be not deceived : how can that which dissolves all things be itself contained in a 
ladle ?' And how shall chivalry, sparkling and flashing everywhere as it runs 
through that great complicated tissue of human life which we call modern civilisa- 
tion, — how shall chivalry, the humaniser of society, be brought within the limits 
of a definition ? 

Chivalry, indeed, exists for us in spirit rather than in outward and visible form. 
It no longer comes to us with the outward symbols of war-horse, and armour, 
and noble birth, and strength of arm, and high-flown protestations of love and 
gallantry ; yet we never fail to know and feel its presence, silent and unobtrusive 
as it now is : we recognise the lady and the gentleman not less surely now than 
they did in old times ; and we acknowledge their rights and their power over us 
now no less than then. And if the spirit of chivalry does live among us still, we 
may read its past history by its present light, and say in Spenser's words, — • 

' By infusion sweete 
Of thine own spirit which doth in me survive, 
I follow still the footing of thy feete, 
That with thy meaning so I may the rather meete.' 

Let us then look back to those times when chivalry had an outward, visible form, 
and was embodied in its own proper institutions, with orders, and statutes, and 
courts of its own jurisdiction, and rituals, and customs, like those of other great 
social institutions and members of the body politic. 

The deluge of the Teutonic nations which broke up the old Roman civilisation 
threatened for some centuries to overwhelm Europe with mere barbarism. We 
know now that the germs of a far higher and better civilisation were everywhere 
ready to open into life as soon as the fury of that deluge had spent itself; but for 
a long period the evil seemed mightier than the good. From time to time the 



INTRODUCTION. 



clear head, the noble heart and conscience, and the strong arm of an Alfred, a 
Charlemagne, or an Otho, might bring a temporary calm and order into the storm ; 
but when the personal influences of such great men were withdrawn, society relapsed 
again and again into ever new anarchy, and war — at once the effect and the cause 
of anarchy — savage, cruel war became the business of all men throughout Europe. 
The selfish, the rapacious, and the unscrupulous fought for power, and plunder, and 
love of fighting ; and while violence could only be resisted by violence, and each 
man had to defend himself, his family, and his possessions as best he could, with no 
effectual aid from law and government, there was a constant tendency to increasing 
barbarism and brutish, or worse than brutish, instead of human, existence. 

But man differs from the brutes in this, that while he can fall lower than they, 
he can also rise higher, and that even the passions and the impulses which he has 
in common with them may be subdued, and refined, and modified, till they become 
the servants and instruments of his human life, and the means by which all that 
is properly spiritual in his being may be reflected and symbolised upon this earth 
in outward, visible form. The nobler races of men — the historical races, as they 
have been called— constantly show this aptitude for contending with these down- 
ward tendencies of our nature, and for advancing, through the conquest of them, to 
new and higher life. 

And so it was in the INIiddle Ages. The Church was, no doubt, the great 
civiliser of the nations : still, whatever aid the State derived from the Church, it 
then, no less than now, had a position and processes of its own, by which it did 
its own vi^ork of civilisation too. And its first great work for controlling the 
universal anarchy of which I have spoken was the extension and firm establishment 
of that half-patriarchal, half-military organisation which we call the Feudal 
System. Every man who was not rich and powerful enough to be a lord became — 
willingly or unwillingly — a vassal ; and all men, from the king downwards, were 
bound to each other for reciprocal service and protection — a service and protec- 
tion partly militaiy, but partly patriarchal, since they were rendered not by men 
strangers to each other except for what Mr. Carlyle calls ' the nexus of cash pay- 
ment,' but united by ties of family, and neighbourhood, and clanship, and by the 
interests and sympathies that grow out of these. But the protector of his own 
vassals easily became the invader of the rights and ravages of the possessions of 
his neighbour and his vassals ; and so the old evils of anarchy and violence grew 
afresh out of the remedy which had been devised to meet them. The ' monarchies 
sank into impotence ; petty, lawless tyrants trampled all social order under foot,' 
says a recent historian of this period, • and all attempts after scientific instruction 
and artistic pleasures were as effectually crushed by this state of general insecurity 
as the external well-being and material life of the people. This was a dark and 
stormy period for Europe, merciless, arbitrary, and violent. It is a sign of the 
prevailing feeling of misery and hopelessness that, when the first thousand years 
of our sera were drawing to their close, the people in every country in Europe 



INTRODUCTION. 



looked with certainty for the destruction of the world. Some squandered their 
wealth in riotous living, others bestowed it for the good of their souls on churches 
and convents ; weeping multitudes lay day and night around the altars ; some 
looked forward with dread, but most with secret hope, towards the burning of 
the earth and the falling in of heaven. Their actual condition was so miserable 
that the idea of destruction was relief, spite of all its horrors^' 

The palliatives with which men tried to meet the evils of the times indicate 
the greatness of the evils, but also the moral feeling which was the promise of 
better things. Such was the so-called ' Peace of the King,' by which private wars 
^vere not to be entered on till forty days after the committal of the alleged crime 
^vhich was to be avenged ; and the ' Truce of God,' by which all these acts of 
private hostility were suspended from Thursday to Monday in each week. And at 
the Council of Cleremont, held by Urban II in November, 1095, a severe censure 
^vas pronounced against the licence of private war ; the Truce of God was con- 
firmed ; women and priests were placed under the safeguard of the Church ; and 
a protection of three years was extended to husbandmen and merchants, the de- 
fenceless victims of military rapine. We are reminded of the law of Moses, which 
provided Cities of Refuge for the man who accidentally and without malice killed 
lis neighbour, but who could not look for protection from the vengeance of the 
family of the slain man except within those special safeguards. In each case there 
is the same unreasoning rage of the half-civilised man brought face to face with 
the demands of religion and civil law : and each is obliged to yield something to 
the other till the better cause has had time to prepare and strengthen itself for 
a more complete triumph. 

Chivalry, then, was the offspring of the same spirit which dictated the Peace of 
the King, the Truce of God, and the decrees of the Council of Cleremont. Chivalry 
tias another name — Knighthood — and the two are wanted to express all that we 
mean by either ^. The chevalier was the soldier who rode the war-horse : he whose 
birth entitled him, and whose wealth gave him the means, to ride at the head of 
his vassals and retainers to the war : all ideas of lordship, and mastery, and out- 
ward dignity and power, are here embodied before us. But this ' chevalier,' this 
ritter,' or rider of the war-horse, was also to be a ' knecht,' or servant : ' He that 
will be chief among you, let him be your servant.' The knight was to obey, no 
less than to command ; he was to exert his strength and power, not for selfish ends, 
but in the service of others ; and especially in the service of the poor, the weak, and 
the oppressed, who could not help or defend themselves. It was, indeed, no new 
discovery in the world, that such are the duties of him who possesses power, and 
above all the power of the sword; and they who have tried to trace the origin 



^ Von Sybel's History of the Crusades, my friend the Rev. F. D. Maurice, whose 
English Translation, p. 11. genius lights up every subject it ap- 



For this distinction I am indebted to preaches. 



INTRODUCTION. 



of chivalry to some particular place and time have had to go to the Germans of 
Tacitus, to the Crusaders, to the Saracens, to the Romans, the Greeks, the Trojans, 
the Hebrews, only to come to the conclusion that chivalry belongs in its spirit to 
man as man ; though the form in which that spirit was clothed in Europe in the 
Middle Ages has an individuality of which some of the sources may be ascertained, 
and though from that time forward its power has been established, and extended, 
in a manner, and with a greatness unknown to the ancients. 

In those days society was essentially military. In this our own time the main 
offices, interests, and occupations of the great body politic are non-military, and 
the army is but a small portion of the nation, specially trained for a minor, though 
indispensable, function therein. Peace, for its own sake, and for the sake of the 
objects which can only be obtained by the arts and with the opportunities of peace, i 
is the end and aim of every civilised nation now ; and war is only an occasional | 
means to secure that end. But in the Middle Ages war was, or seemed to be, ■ 
the chief end of life to the greater part of every nation, and especially to all who \ 
possessed rank, and wealth, and power, and were in fact the leaders of the nation, j 
And therefore chivalry, the spirit which was to humanise those warriors, needed to ', 
be warlike too, and thus to sympathise with those to whom it addressed itself. 

Much, too, of its special form it no doubt owed to that wonderful race of heroes, 
the Normans. The romantic love of adventure ; the religious and the martial en- , 
thusiasm ; the desire to revenge injuries, and to win wealth and power ; the delight ! 
in arms and horses, in the luxury of dress, and in the exercises of hunting and | 
hawking ; the eloquence and sagacity in council ; the patience with which when | 
need was they could endure the inclemency of every climate, and the toil and j 
abstinence of a military life ; and the gentleness, the affability and the gallantry, j 
which were the characteristics of the Norman race; these must have been more or i 
less impressed on men's minds wherever the Norman sway or influence extended, ^ 
from England to Sicily, and must have reproduced something of themselves in the 
social habits and manners of the times. When we read the description of WiUiam 
of the Iron Arm, the first Norman count of Apulia, so strong, so brave, so affable, 
so generous, and so sage above other men — a lion in battle, a lamb in society, and 
an angel in council — we are reminded of the heroes of chivalry in the days of its 
greatest refinement, the Black Prince, Sir John Chandos, and Sir Walter of Manny, 
as they still live in the pages of Froissart; or their counterparts in romance, King 
Arthur, Sir Launcelot, Amadis of Gaul, or Palmerin of England. 

The Normans, the latest of the Teutonic races who descended, full of wild life, 
from their mountains and forests, upon the comparatively civilised plains of Europe, 
may have brought a newer and fresher feeling for those old manners and customs 
which Tacitus describes as characterising the Germans of his time, and which are 
with so much probability connected with the chivalry of the Middle Ages. In 
ancient Germany, and in Scandinavia, it was the custom for each youth, when he 
was of an age to bear arms, to be presented with a sword, a shield, and a lance, by 



INTRODUCTION. 



his father, or some near relation, in an assembly of the chiefs of the nation ; and 
from that time he became a member of the commonwealth, and ranked as a citizen. 
He then entered the train of some chief, of whom he and his brother youths 
became the followers and companions, forming one brotherhood, though not with- 
out ranks and degrees, while a generous spirit of equality ran through all. 

In ancient Germany, too, women were held in a peculiar reverence, beyond what 
was known in the other — and otherwise more civilized — nations of antiquity ; and 
the presence of women in the hour of battle with their husbands, brothers, and 
fathers, was regarded by those warriors as an incentive to courage, and a pledge of 
victor}', which (as they boasted) their Roman foes were unable to appeal to for 
themselves. And this old Teutonic reverence for women conspired with the new 
Christian reverence for the Virgin Mary as the type and representative at once of 
her sex and of the Church, to supply the purer and nobler elements of the gal- 
lantry which forms so large a part, not only of the romance, but of the actual 
history, of chivaliy. 

But Christianity exercised not only an indirect, but also a direct and avowed 
action upon the forms of chivalry, as they attained to their full proportions. 
Knighthood was certainly a feature and distinction of society before the days of 
Charlemagne, who in permitting the governor of Friesland to make knights by 
girding them with a sword, and giving them a blow, adds, ' as is the custom.' 
But no ritual of the Church as yet consecrated that custom. Charlemagne girt the 
sword on his son Louis the Good without religious ceremonies ; and a century later 
the Saxon king of England, Edward the Elder, clothed Athelstan in a soldier's dress 
of scarlet, and girded him with a girdle ornamented with precious stones and a 
sword with sheath of gold, but without religious rites. But in the next century, in 
the reign of Edward the Confessor, we read that Hereward, a noble Anglo-Saxon 
youth, was knighted by the Abbot of Peterborough, with confession, absolution, 
and prayer that he might be a true knight. And this the historian describes as the 
custom of the English, as indeed it was, or soon became, that of all Europe ; the 
Normans resisting the innovation longest, but at last adopting it with their 
v/onted ardour. The candidate for knighthood confessed his sins on the eve of his 
consecration (for such it now was), and passed the night in prayer and fasting in 
the church : the godfathers, the bath, the white garment, and the tonsure (some- 
times limited indeed to a single lock) were the symbols of the new and holy state 
of life to which he was now called : next morning he heard mass, offered his sword 
on the altar, where it was blessed by the priest ; and he was created a knight — 
either by the priest of highest rank present, or by some knight, who, in virtue of his 
knighthood, was qualified to confer the sacred office he had himself received — in 
the name of God, of St. George, and of St. Michael the Archangel. He swore, 
and received the holy communion in confirmation of his oath, to fulfil the duties of 
his profession ; to speak the truth ; to maintain the right ; to protect women, the 
poor, and the distressed ; to practise courtesy ; to pursue the infidels ; to despise the 



xxiV INTRODUCTION. 



allurements of ease and safety, and to maintain his honour in every perilous adven- 
ture. And the Council of Cleremont, of which I have already spoken— as if in 
order to give the sanction of the Church in a still more formal and comprehensive 
manner to the whole system of chivalry — decreed that every person of noble birth, 
on attaining the age of twelve years, should take a solemn oath before the bishop 
of his diocese to defend to the uttermost the oppressed, the widow, and the orphans ; 
that women of noble birth, both married and single, should enjoy his especial care ; 
and that nothing should be wanting in him to render travelling safe, and to destroy 
tyranny. 

Thus, as has been justly observed, all the humanities of chivalry were sanctioned 
by legal and ecclesiastical power: it was intended that they should be spread over 
the whole face of Christendom, in order to check the barbarism and ferocity of the 
times. WTiile the form of chivalry was martial, its objects became to a great extent 
religious and social : from a mere military array chivalry obtained the name of the 
Order, the Holy Order, and a character of seriousness and solemnity was given to 
it ; and it was accounted an honourable office above all offices, orders, and acts of 
the world, except the order of priesthood. 

The education for knighthood usually began at a still earlier age than that men- 
tioned in the Canons of Cleremont. The castles of the princes and nobles were the 
schools of those days, at least for the youth of their own class. Every feudal lord 
had his court, to which he drew the sons and daughters of the poorer gentry of his 
domains ; and if he were a knight distinguished for his merits, his castle was also 
frequented by the children of men of equal rank and reputation with himself: for 
the prudent and careful father would often have some brother in arms whom he 
thought better fitted than himself to educate his children in the accomplishments 
and duties of his station. So, long after, Ben Jonson, looking back on those old 
times, and picturing them in their ideal aspect, says, that then 



' Goodness gave the greatness, 
And greatness worship : every house became 
An academy of honour.' 



And that this method of education 



' By a line 
Of institution from our ancestors, 
Hath been deriv'd down to us, and receiv'd 
In a succession, for the noblest way 
Of breeding up our youth in letters, arms, 
Fair mien, discourses, civil exercises, 
And all the blazon of a gentleman. 
Where can he learn to vault, to ride, to fence, 
To move his body gracefuller, to speak 
His language purer, or to tune his mind 
Or manners more to the harmony of nature, 
Than in these nurseries of nobility T 



INTRODUCTION. 



The boy of gentle birth, when he thus began his education, was called by the 
names of Childe, or Damoiseau, or Valet, said to be a contraction of Vassalet or 
little Vassal, and also Page, though this last name was originally appropriated to 
the youths of inferior rank. He usually entered the castle which was to be his 
school about the age of seven or eight. He was to learn modesty, obedience, and 
address in arms and horsemanship, and was duly exercised in the use of his weapons, 
beginning with such as were suited to his strength. He was instmcted how to 
guide a horse with grace and dexterity, how to use the bow and the sword, and how 
to manage the lance, — an art which was taught him by making him ride against a 
wooden figure, which, if not struck in true knightly fashion, was so contrived as to 
turn round and give the awkward cavalier a blow with its wooden sword. He 
attended his lord in the chase, and learnt all its arts ; he attended him also in many 
offices which we should now call menial, but which were then held to be the proper 
symbols of modesty and obedience for the youth of highest birth and rank. Thus 
the Black Prince was held to show the highest respect to the French king, his pri- 
soner, by personal attendance on him. In the words of Froissart : ' The same day 
of the battle, at night, the prince made a supper in his lodging to the French king, 
and to the most part of the great lords that were prisoners .... and always the 
prince served befoi-e the king as humbly as he could, and would not sit at the king's 
board for any desire that the king could make ; but he said he was not sufficient to 
sit at the table with so great a prince as the king was.' 

And not the least important of the youth's duties were those towards the ladies of 
the house in which he lived. He was to wait on them rather as attending a sort 
of superior beings to whom adoration and obsequious service were due, than as 
ministering to the convenience of human creatures like himself. The most modest 
demeanour, the most profound respect, were to be observed in the presence of these 
fair idols. And as not only the youths, but the maidens — the damoiselles no less 
than the damoiseaux— were sent to the courts of the barons and their ladies for 
education, it would often happen that this veneration in which the boy was so early 
trained towards the ladies of maturer years, would find an object in some young 
maiden whose more suitable age might lead him, as he grew up, from mere boyish 
regard to that passionate and abiding devotion which was the duty of every true 
knight to his lady, and by the strength of which he held that all his power for good 
was to be maintained. Here is a description of the beginning of the loves of 
Amadis and Oriana, which is as charming as it is simple ; and which, though we 
find it in the pages of a romance, we cannot doubt is a picture of actual life and 
manners. ' Oriana,' says the old book, ' was about ten years old, the fairest creature 
that ever was seen ; wherefore she was called the one " without a peer". . . . The 
child of the sea (that is, Amadis) was now twelve years old, but in stature and size 
he seemed fifteen, and he served the queen ; but, now that Oriana was there, the 
queen gave her the child of the sea, that he should serve her, and Oriana said that 
" it pleased her ;" and that word which she said, the child kept in his heart, so that 



INTRODUCTION. 



he never lost it from his memory, and in all his life he was never weary of serving 
her, and his heart was surrendered to her ; and this love lasted as long as they 
lasted, for as well as he loved her did she also love him. But the child of the sea, 
who knew nothing of her love, thought himself presumptuous to have placed his 
thoughts on her, and dared not speak to her ; and she, who loved him in her heart, 
was careful not to speak more with him than with another ; but their eyes delighted 
to reveal to the heart what was the thing on earth that they loved best. And now 
the time came that he thought he could take arms if he were knighted ; and this 
he greatly desired, thinking that he would do such things that, if he lived, his mis- 
tress should esteem him.' 

Such was the beginning of the loves of Amadis and Oriana, so famous in 
romance, and so generally held by knights and ladies to be a model for them- 
selves. Constancy, such as that of Amadis, was a virtue of the true lover which 
those times of long inevitable separations and absences demanded in forms hardly 
known in our days ; and in proportion was it insisted upon, and held in honour. 
So Spenser says : 

' Young knight whatever, that dost arms profess, 
And through long labours huntest after fame, 
Beware of fraud, beware of fickleness. 
In choice and change of thy dear loved dame ; 
Lest thou of her believe too lightly blame. 
And rash misweening do thy heart remove ; 
For unto knight there is no greater shame, 
Than lightness and inconstancy in love.' 

The peerless Amadis passed with more than ordinary rapidity to the rank of 
knighthood. The youth more usually remained an esquire — the next step to that of 
page — till he was twenty. He attended the knight to whose person he was attached, 
dressed and undressed him, trained his horses, kept his arms bright and burnished, 
and did the honours of the household to the strangers who visited it; so that 
Spenser takes the squire as the type of such courtesy. Here is Chaucer's descrip- 
tion of the squire : 

' With him there was his son, a younge squire, 
A lover and a lusty bachelor. 
With lockes curl'd as they were laid in press ; 
Of twenty years of age he was, I guess. 
Of his stature he was of even length. 
And wonderly deliver, and great of strength ; 
And he had been some time in chevachie (military expeditions). 
In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardie, 
And borne him well, as of so little space. 
In hope to standen in his lady's grace. 
Embroider'd was he, as it were a mead 
All full of freshe flowers, white and red ; 
Singing he was, or fluting, all the day ; 
He was as fresh as is the month of May ; 



INTRODUCTION. 



Short was his gown, with sleeves long and wide : 

Well could he sit on horse, and faire ride ; 

He coulde songes make, and well indite, 

Just, and eke dance, and well pourtray and write : 

So hot he loved, that by nightertale 

He slept no more than doth the nightingale. 

Courteous he was ; lowly and serviceable ; 

And carv'd before his father at the table.* 

I have already spoken of the religious lites with which the esquire was admitted 
into the order of knighthood, and of the solemn and noble engagements into which 
he then entered. He had next to ' win his spurs,' as it was called ; a phrase happily 
illustrated in the story of Edward III and the Black Prince, which Froissart thus 
relates :— 

' This battle between Broy and Cressy, this Saturday, was right cruel and fell, and 
many a feat of arms done that came not to my knowledge. ... In the morning, the 
day of the battle, certain Frenchmen and Almagnes perforce opened the archers of 
the prince's battle, [division as we should now say,] and came and fought with the 
men of arms, hand to hand. Then the second battle of the Englishmen came to 
succour the prince's battle, the which was time, for they had as then much ado. 
And they with the prince sent a messenger to the king, who was on a little windmilj 
hill : then the knight said to the king, " Sir, the earl of Warwick, and the earl of 
Oxford, Sir Reynold Cobham, and other, such as lie about the prince your son, are 
fiercely fought withal, and are sore handled, wherefore they desire you that you and 
your battle will come and aid them, for if the Frenchmen increase, as they doubt 
they will, your son and they shall have much ado." Then the king said, " Is my 
son dead, or hurt, or on the earth felled ? " " No, sir," quoth the knight, "but he is 
hardly matched, wherefore he hath need of your aid." " Well," said the king, 
" return to him, and to them that sent you hither, and say to them, that they send 
no more to me for any adventure that falleth, as long as my son is alive : and also 
say to them, that they suffer him this day to win his spurs ; for, if God be pleased, 
I will this day's work be his, and the honour thereof, and to them that be about 
him." Then the knight returned again to them, and showed the king's words, the 
which greatly encouraged them, and repented in that they had sent to the king as 
they did.' Brave knights, to be ' greatly encouraged * by such stern though manly 
w^ords. We are reminded of the not less brave and knightly demeanour of Sir Colin 
Halket and his men at Waterloo, when the Duke of Wellington rode up and asked 
how they were, and the general replied that two- thirds of the brigade were down, 
and the remainder so exhausted that the relief of fresh troops, for however short a 
time, was most desirable. But when the duke said that no relief was possible, that 
all depended on them, the answer which the officer made for himself and his men 
was, ' Enough, my lord, we stand here till the last man falls.' 

Thenceforth the knight's career depended, he would not have said on himself, 
but on God and his lady : and if we may judge by the ordinary language of the 



INTRODUCTION. 



romances, his lady was often the object of actual adoration, little differing from 
that he would have addressed to the saints in the hour of danger or of triumph. 
Philosophic divines teach us that although the worship of the saints may become in 
practice a gross and degrading superstition, it has in it an element of true, and in 
itself ennobling, faith in ideals of humanity more or less perfectly revealed in human 
form : and so while we smile at the fictions of extravagant fancy in which the 
mediaeval knight was wont to clothe his love, and his professions of love, for his 
mistress, we cannot reasonably doubt that in the main, and for that time of youth- 
ful imaginations rather than of sober reasonings, the knight was right. When I 
think of what society was, and what it would still be, without the humanizing in- 
fluences of womanhood and ladyhood, and what it is by means of these, I say that 
the tree may be judged by its fruits, and that it is from a right noble stock, rightly 
and wisely cultivated in the main, in those old days, that we are still gathering 
such noble fruits. Much evil there was along with the good ; and, what is worse, 
much confusion between good and evil. I need not tell the reader of chivalry 
romances, or of Mr. Tennyson's glorious reproductions of some of their incidents 
in modern form of thought as well as language, how painfully this confusion defaces 
many of the fairest characters and most interesting tales of chivalry, while the 
historical records of the times in which those romances were written and read, 
show that the actual state of morals and manners exhibited the like confusions 
of good and evil, in the ideals as well as in the conduct of life. But, as I have 
already observed, we see, at least in the romance before us, the good contending 
with, and mastering the evil, and this not least in the end of the story of the 
guilty loves of Guenever and Launcelot, the knight whose fame in romance 
perhaps surpasses that of Amadis, though even mediaeval morality was obliged 
to censure the constancy of Launcelot's love, while it might unhesitatingly extol 
that of Amadis. 

Mr. Tennyson has, I may assume, made every one familiar with the retirement of 
queen Guenever to the nunnery of Almesbury, and with the death of Arthur; and 
I venture for the completion of this sketch to show, though from the present 
volume, how the old story which the poet chiefly follows relates the death and 
draws the character of Launcelot. Launcelot, when he heard of those events, went 
to Almesbury, and after taking leave of the queen, resolved to follow her example ; 
and became a hermit and penitent, taking up his abode in a forest where was an 
hermitage and a chapel that stood between two cliffs ; and there he served God 
day and night with prayers and fastings. Thus he, and other knights who followed 
his example, ' endured great penance six years, and then Sir Launcelot took the habit 
of priesthood, and a twelvemonth he sang mass.' At the end of that time a vision 
directed him to take the body of queen Guenever, now dead at Almesbury, and 
bury her with king Arthur at Glastonbury. Then the story goes on : — ' And when 
she was put in the earth Sir Launcelot swooned and lay long still, while the hermit 
came out and awaked him, and said, Ye be to blame, for ye displease God with 



INTRODUCTION. 



such manner of sorrow making. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I trust I do not dis- 
please God, for He knoweth mine intent, for my sorrow was not, nor is not, for 
any rejoicing of sin, but my sorrow may never have end. For when I remember 
of her beauty, and of her noblesse, that was both with her king and with her ; so 
when I saw his corpse and her corpse so lie together, truly mine heart would not 
serve to sustain my careful body. Also when I remember me how by my default, 
and mine orgule, and my pride, that they were both laid full low, that were peerless 
that ever was living of christian people, wit ye well, said Sir Launcelot, this re- 
membered, of their kindness and mine unkindness, sank so to my heart, that all my 
natural strength failed me, so that I might not sustain myself.' The story goes on 
to say that there he wasted away, praying night and day at the tomb of the king 
and queen. He died, and was taken to his own castle of Joyous Gard to be 
buried. 'And right thus as they were at their service there came Sir Ector de 
Maris, that had seven year sought all England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his 
brother Sir Launcelot. And when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the quire 
of Joyous Gard he alight, and put his horse from him, and came into the quire, and 
there he saw men sing and weep. And all they knew Sir Ector, but he knew not 
them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector, and told him how there lay his brother 
Sir Launcelot dead. And then Sir Ector threw his shield, sword, and helm from 
him ; and when he beheld Sir Launcelot's visage he fell down in a swoon ; and 
when he awaked it were hard for any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he 
made for his brother. Ah, Launcelot, he said, thou were head of all Christian 
knights ! And now, I dare say, said Sir Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou liest, 
that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hands ; and thou were the 
courtiest knight that ever bare shield ; and thou were the truest friend to thy lover 
that ever bestrode horse ; and thou were the truest lover, of a sinful man, that ever 
loved woman ; and thou were the kindest man that ever strake with sword ; and 
thou were the goodliest person ever came among press of knights ; and thou was 
the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies ; and thou 
were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest.' 
Let me compare with this Chaucer's description of the knight of his times : — 



'A knight there was, and that a worthy^ man, 
That from the time that he first began 
To riden out, he loved chivalry, 
Truth and honour, freedom and courtesy. 
Full worthy was he in his lordes war. 
And thereto had he ridden, no man farre. 
As well in Christendom as in Heatheness, 
And ever honoured for his worthiness. 
At Alisandre he was when it was won : 
Full often-time he had the board begun 



Valiant. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Aboven alle nations in Prusse : ^ 

In Lethowe had he reysed^ and in Russe, 

No Christian man so oft, of his degree : 

In Gernade at the siege eke had he be 

Of Algesir, and ridden in Belmarie ; 

At Leyes was he, and at Satalie, 

When they were won ; and in the Create Sea 

At many a noble army had he be. 

At mortal battles had he been fifteen, 

And foughten for our faith at Tramissene 

In listes thries, and aye slain his foe. 

This ilke worthy knight had been also 

Sometime with the lord of Palathie 

Against another heathen in Turkey ; 

And evermore he had a sovereign prized 

And though that he was worthy he was wise, 

And of his port as meek as is a maid. 

He never yet no villainy ne said 

In all his life unto no manner wight : 

He was a very perfect, gentle knight.' 

In an age when all men, not of the clergy, were divided between the two classes 
of freemen or gentlemen, and serfs or villains, and the villains were in habits and in 
human culture little better than the domestic animals of which they shared the 
labours, the knight almost inevitably belonged to the class of free, or gentle, birth. 
Still, in theory always, and to a great extent in practice, it was not his birth, but 
his personal merit, which qualified him for knighthood. The personal merit would 
oftener exist, and still oftener come to light, where it had the advantages and aids 
of education and general social culture. But if it was recognised in the villain, or 
man of no rights of birth, he might be, and often was, knighted, and was thereby 
immediately enfranchised, and accounted a gentleman, in law no less than in name. 
Thus Froissart tells us of Sir Robert Sale, the governor of Norwich, that ' he was 
no gentleman born, but he had the grace to be reputed sage and valiant in arms, 
and for his valiantness King Edward made him knight.' He was governor during 
the popular insurrection of which Wat Tyler and Jack Straw were the London 
leaders ; and he was invited to put himself at the head of one of the risings by men 
who urged upon him — ' Sir Robert, ye are a knight and a man greatly beloved in 
this countiy, and renowned a valiant man ; and though ye be thus, yet we know 
you well : ye be no gentleman bom, but son to a villain, such as we be : therefore 
come you with us, and be our master, and we shall make you so great a lord that 
one quarter of England shall be under your obeisance.' He refused, and they killed 
him. The same king also knighted a man-at-arms, who had originally been a 
tailor, and who greatly distinguished himself under the name of Sir John Hacond, 

^ Having gone to find adventures in head of the table above the like adven- 

Prussia with the Teutonic knights who turers from other nations, in compliment 

carried on war with the still Pagan Li- to his especial merit, 
thuania, he had been often placed at the ^ Ridden in arms. ^ Praise. 



INTRODUCTION. 



or Hawkwood. And the courtly as well as knightly Chaucer, who must more or 
less have reflected the feeling of the royal and noble personages among whom he 
lived, goes farther, and asserts that not only does virtue make the gentleman, but 
also baseness of mind the villain or churl : — 

* But understand in thine intent. 

That this is not mine intendement, 

To clepen no wight in no age 

Only gentle for his lineage ; 

But whoso that is virtuous. 

Though he be not gentle born. 

Thou may'st well see this in soth. 

That he is gentle because he doth 

As 'longeth to a gentleman ; 

Of them none other deem I can : 

For certainly, withouten drede, 

A churl is deemed by his deed. 

Of high or low, as you may see, 

Or of what kindred that he be.' 
So that Chaucer in the fourteenth century understood the name of ' gentleman * to 
mean what we understand by it now in the nineteenth. 

Akin to this recognition of gentleness of mind and manners, as that which made 
a gentleman, was the sense of brotherhood among knights and gentlemen, which 
led them to trust in each other's honour, even when they were fighting under the 
banners of hostile kings. The chronicles are full of the instances of such con- 
sideration of the English and French knights for each other in the wars between 
the two nations ; and it is not without probability that to these and suchlike mani- 
festations of the spirit of chivalry have been traced the courtesy and humanity which 
characterise modern warfare in a degree unknown to the ancients. 

Much indeed of barbarism and cruelty there was in the usages of war in the best 
times of chivalry, even of the knights among themselves, and still more when they 
came, with passions infuriated by resistance, upon the people of lower rank than 
themselves. Edward III of England, and the knights whom he gathered round 
him, are held alike by contemporary historians and romance writers, and by those 
of modern times, to have best exhibited the characteristics of chivalry in its day of 
greatest refinement as well as splendour; yet no one can read the chronicles of 
even the admiring Froissart without seeing how much savage passion and cruelty 
was often mingled with their better dispositions : though we do see also that the 
cruelty was not because, but in spite of, their chivalry. Froissart laments bitterly 
the iniquity of the massacre by the Black Piince of the people of Limoges, men, 
women, and children, more than three thousand. And when Edward III, before 
him, intended, as would seem, to have treated the town of Calais in like manner, 
not only did the French knights who had offered to surrender declare that they 
would • endure as much pain as knights ever did, rather than the poorest lad in the 
town should have any more evil than the greatest of us all '—showing that they 
made no selfish distinction between the noble and the villain— but the English 



INTRODUCTION. 



knights, headed by Sir Walter of Manny, that flower of knighthood, protested to 
the utmost against their king's purpose. And when he had yielded so far to their 
urgency as to say that he would be content with the lives of the six chief burgesses, 
Sir Walter of Manny again remonstrated, saying, ' Ah, noble king, for God's sake 
refrain your courage : ye have the name of sovereign noblesse ; therefore now do 
not a thing that should blemish your renown, nor to give cause to some to speak 
of you villainy [to charge you with conduct unworthy of a knight and gentleman] ; 
every man will say it is a great cruelty to put to death such honest persons, who by 
their own wills put themselves into your grace to save their company. Then the 
king wryed away from him, and commanded to send for the hangman, and said, 
" They of Calais had caused many of my men to be slain, wherefore these shall die 
in likewise." ' 

It needed a stronger influence than that of Sir Walter of Manny to save their 
lives : and this brings me to speak of the Lady of the mediaeval times ; the Lady, 
who was the counterpart of the Knight, and without whom he could never have 
existed. Here, indeed, I meet a difficulty which reminds me of what Coleridge 
says of the female characters of Shakspeare, that their truth to nature, and therefore 
their beauty, consists in the absence of strongly marked features. It is impossible 
to read the poems, romances, or chronicles of the mediaeval times, without feeling 
all through how important a part the lady plays everywhere ; and yet it is far from 
easy to draw her from her retirement and bring distinctly before ourselves what she 
did, and get a picture of her as definite as we can do of the knight. Still I must 
try to trace the outlines of such a picture of one lady: — Philippa, queen of 
Edward III, whom Froissart calls ' the most gentle queen, most liberal, and most 
courteous that ever was queen in her days ;' and who was the very type and re- 
presentative of the lady, in the highest and best sense, in an age in which the 
ladies — such as the princess Blanche, the good queen Ann, the countess of Salis- 
bury, Jane de Montfort, and the wife of Charles de Blois —were renowned for their 
gentle or their heroic characters. 

When Isabel, queen of Edward II, visited Hainault with her son, afterwards 
Edward III, we are told that William, earl of Hainault, ' had four fair daughters, 
Margaret, Philippa, Jane, and Isabell : among whom the young Edward set most 
his love and company on Philippa; and also the young lady in all honour was 
more conversant with him than any of her sisters.' Queen Isabel had come to ask 
for aid against her enemies, and Froissart gives an account of the discussion be- 
tween the earl and his council, who objected on prudential grounds to interfering 
with the quarrels of the English, and the earl's brother, Sir John Hainault, who 
maintained that ' all knights ought to aid to their powers all ladies and damsels 
chased out of their own countries, being without counsel or comfort.' The earl 
finally yielded, saying, ' My fair brother, God forbid that your good purpose should 
be broken or let. Therefore, in the name of God, I give you leave ; and kissed him, 
straining him by the hand in sign of great love.' The whole passage is too long 



INTRODUCTION. 



to quote, but thus much gives a lively picture of the temper of the home and court 
in which the young Philippa was brought up. 

Her marriage with Edward, then only fifteen years old, was agreed on, and 
sanctioned by the Pope. I am sorry to say that the chronicler gives no account of 
the lady's bridal outfit ^ except in the general terms, that 'there was devised and 
purveyed for their apparel, and for all things honourable that belonged to such a 
lady, who should be queen of England.' They were married, and she arrived in 
England and was crowned, ' with great justs, tourneys, dancing, carolling, and 
great feasts, the which endured the space of three weeks.' And then ' this young 
queen Philippa abode still in England, with small company of any persons of her 
own country, saving one who was named Walter of Manny, who was her carver, 
and after did so many great prowesses in divers places, that it were hard to make 
mention of them.' If we couple this statement, that she retained hardly any of her 
own people, with that which Froissart makes in reviewing her whole life, that ' she 
loved always her own nation where she was born,' we have pleasing thoughts sug- 
gested of the cheerful acceptance of new duties in a foreign land by the young 
wife ; while, if I had space to describe in detail the noble life of Sir Walter of 
Manny, the reader would agree with me that his habitual presence in the Eng- 
lish court must have done much to make both Edward and the Black Prince, 
as well as the rest of the princes and nobles, what they were, as knights and 
gentlemen. 

The next glimpse we get of the queen is when she appears, accompanied with 
three hundred ladies and damsels ' of noble lineage, and apparelled accordingly, at 
the yearly feast at Windsor, in honour of the order and brotherhood of the Knights 
of the Blue Garter, there established on St. George's day.' Again, when the king 
of Scots had advanced to Newcastle, while king Edward lay before Calais, we see 
the queen arriving to meet the English army, and going from division to division, 
* desiring them to do their devoir'— duty was then, as now, the English soldier's 
word—' to defend the honour of her lord the king of England, and, in the name of 
God, every man to be of good heart and courage ; promising them that to her 
power she would remember them as well or better as though her lord the king 
were there personally. Then the queen departed from them, recommending them 
to God and St. George.' She does not seem, like some of the ladies of that 
generation, to have considered the field to be her place while the battle was going 
on ; but after it was won she returned, and with her council made all necessary 
arrangements and plans. Shortly after she joined her husband while he lay before 
Calais, ' bringing many ladies and damsels with her, as well to accompany her, as 
to see their husbands, fathers, brethren, and other friends that lay at siege there 
before Calais, and had done a long time.' And I think we may attribute it as well 

^ It appears from Morte Arthur, p. 474, to, ' to buy all manner of things that 
that London was the proper place to go 'longed unto a wedding.' 



INTRODUCTION. 



to the general humanising influence of all those ladies, as to the personal persuasion 
of Philippa, that Calais did not suffer the same horrors of war as did Limoges at 
the hands of the Black Prince. To what I have already quoted from Froissart as 
to this story, I must now add what he tells us of Philippa, after Edward had 
refused to hear Sir Walter of Manny. ' Then the queen kneeled down, and sore 
weeping, said, " Ah, gentle sir, sith I passed the sea in great peril, I have desired 
nothing of you ; therefore now I humbly require you, in the honour of the Son of 
the Virgin Mary, and for the love of me, that ye will take mercy of these six 
burgesses." The king beheld the queen, and stood still in a study a space, and 
then said, " Ah dame, I would ye had been as now in some other place ; ye make 
such request to me that I cannot deny you ; wherefore I give them to you, to do 
your pleasure with them." ' 

And lastly, as a counterpart to the picture I have already given you of the death 
of the knight of romance, here is the account of the death of her who was the lady 
of the brightest day of historical chivalry : — 

' In the mean season there fell in England a heavy case and a common : howbeit 
it was right piteous for the king, his children, and all his realm ; for the good queen 
of England — that so many good deeds had done in her time, and so many knights 
succoured, and ladies and damosels comforted, and had so largely departed of her 
goods to her people, and naturally loved always the nation of Haynault, the country 
where she was born — she fell sick in the castle of Windsor, the which sickness 
continued on her so long, that there was no remedy but death ; and the good lady, 
when she knew that there was no remedy but death, she desired to speak with the 
king her husband, and when he was before her, she put out of her bed her right 
hand, and took the king by his right hand, who was right sorrowful at his heart. 
Then she said, " Sir, we have in peace, joy, and great prosperity, used all our time 
together : sir, now I pray you at our departing, that ye will grant me three desires." 
The king, right sorrowfully weeping, said, " Madam, desire what ye will, I grant 
it." The three requests of the dying woman were — that the king should pay all 
that she owed to any man ; that he should fulfil all the promises she had made to 
the churches where she had " had her devotion," and that " it might please him to 
take none other sepulture, whensoever it should please God to call him out of this 
transitory life, but beside her in Westminster." The king, all weeping, said, 
" Madam, I grant all your desire." Then the good lady and queen made on her 
the sign of the cross, and commended the king her husband to God, and her 
youngest son Thomas, who was there beside her ; and anon after she yielded up 
the spirit, which I believe surely the holy angels received with great joy up to 
heaven ; for in all her life she did neither in thought nor deed thing to lose her 
soul, as far as any creature could know. Thus the good queen of England died in 
the year of our Lord 1369, in the vigil of our Lady, in the midst of August.' 

We have all pictured to ourselves, again and again, how the lady sat in her 
bower with her embroidery and her missal or romance, and saw from her lattice 



INTRODUCTION. 



window her knight going from the castle with lance and pennon, hoping to meet 
his foe: how the minstrel recited in the castle hall the feats of arms of this or 
that hero in some distant battle-field ; and how the matron or the maiden heard 
those feats, and thought with silent joy that it was her lord, her husband, or her 
lover, whose deeds were thus winning the praises of the troubadour, and the 
applause of the listening knights and squires. We have all seen in imagination the 
tournament, with the pomp and splendour of its mimic contests : contests which 
surpassed the Olympic and Corinthian games of classic antiquity, not only in their 
gorgeous show, but still more in the presence of the ladies, noble in birth, and 
fame, and beauty ; whose scarf, or glove, the combatants wore as the token of that 
favour which was their highest incentive to distinguish themselves ; and from whose 
hands tlie conqueror received the prize of skill and bravery ; while the honourably 
vanquished might be sure that he would have the hardly less welcome lot of being 
cared for by the same ladies, who never shrank from this their acknowledged and 
well fulfilled duty of tending the wounded knight. 

Perhaps too we have listened in fancy to the proceedings of the so-called Courts 
or Parliaments of Love, in which the ladies were wont to hear questions of gallantry 
gravely argued on both sides by poets pleading in verse, and then to give their 
judgments according to the logical and metaphysical rules which the schoolmen 
applied to theological enquiries. But I can now but remind my reader that such 
things were ; and must hasten forward, leaving ungathered flowers that would make 
many a wreath and nosegay. 

The golden age of chivalry was the period from about the middle of the eleventh 
to the end of the fourteenth century. We may say, with Gibbon, that the Crusades 
were at once a cause and an effect of chivalry. In the Crusades the spirit of 
knighthood, with all its characteristic features, actuated vast bodies of men of every 
rank and nation, and found a foe believed by all Christendom to be to it what the 
individual robber and plunderer was to the knight errant who went forth in his own 
country to defend or rescue the widow and orphan and their possessions, or the 
traveller along the road which passed the castle of some powerful though unworthy 
baron. The chivalry at home was kept alive, and raised to its highest energy, 
both in man and woman, by the chivalry in the Holy Land. It is in this period 
that the chief institutions of chivalry took their rise, or reached their full form ; 
while their ruder features were gradually softened with the increasing refinement of 
the times, till they presented that aspect with which we find them in the days of 
Edward III and the Black Prince, as drawn by Froissart or Chaucer, or in the 
romances which were then written or remodelled out of older materials, and which 
show that even in the estimation of other nations the EngUsh court then afforded 
the pattern of knighthood for Christendom. 

Thenceforward the outward forms of chivalry began to decay ; very gradually 
indeed, and not without apparent resuscitations from time to time. But no real 
revival was possible ; for the immortal spirit was seeking new habitations for itself, 



INTRODUCTION. 



more fitted to the new world which was succeeding to that of the Middle Ages. 
And perhaps Cervantes, by helping to tear up with his merciless satire the last 
remnants of an honest faith in the old forms of chivalry, did as real, though we 
cannot say as genial, a service to the cause of chivalry itself, as Spenser did in 
endeavouring to preserve its spirit by transferring it to the region of allegory. 
The last expiring token of the old spirit in the old forms which I have found, is in 
the records of the Knights of Malta — the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jeru- 
salem — when the news of the great earthquake in Sicily, in 1783, arrived at Malta. 
Then those poor feeble-minded sybarites remembered for a moment their manhood 
and their knighthood, and their vows as Hospitallers : they manned their galleys, 
and, with food and clothing and medicines, and the consolations of their faith, were 
speedily seen, in their half-military, half-priestly garb — the armour covered by the 
black robe with the white cross — at the bedsides of the wounded and the dying, as 
they lay amid the still tottering ruins of their devastated houses. In a very few 
years, in that same generation, the Order had passed away for ever: but it is 
pleasant to him who stands in the palace of the Grand Masters among the trophies 
of their former greatness, or treads the aisles of the cathedral of St. John, where 
every step is upon the emblazoned gravestone of a knight, to think of this, and not 
of any less worthy deed, as their last act. 

' The knight's bones are dust. 
And his good sword rust : 
His soul is with the saints, I trust :'— 

but he has left to us an imperishable and a rich inheritance, won for us by him. To 
him we owe our Manners— all that world of existence implied in the names Lady 
and Gentleman. Through the Middle Ages it was ' Our Lady,' the Virgin mother, 
who embodied and represented to all men and women, from the prince to the pea- 
sant, their ideals of womanhood and ladyhood. In modern times St. Paul has been 
held to be the model of a gentleman ; in whose acts and writings are found all the 
principles, maxims, and spirit of a character entirely chivalrous, in the amplest 
sense of the term: while one of our old dramatists has ventured, in words of 
touching tenderness and reverence, to point to a yet higher realisation of that 

ideal ; — 

♦ The best of men 
That e'er wore earth about him, was a sufferer, 
A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit ; 
The first true gentleman that ever breathed.' 

And it was the transference of these Christian ethics into the practice of common, 
daily, worldly life, in rude, half-barbarous times, which we owe to the knights and 
ladies of the Middle Ages ; a transference effected slowly, and with much mixture 
of evil with the good : nor is the work nearly completed yet ; but the worth of 
it can hardly be overrated. 

There is not indeed all, but there is much, truth in the old motto, * Manners 



INTRODUCTION. 



makyth man.' Manners, like laws, create a region and atmosphere of virtue within 
which all good more easily lives and grows, and evil finds it harder to maintain 
itself. How large a portion of the small, spontaneous kindnesses of hourly life, in 
which, after all, so much of our happiness consists, are not only unknown, but 
impossible, where habitual, unaffected politeness is wanting. 

But manners are good, not only as affording a fairer field for the exercise of the 
iiigher virtues, but good in themselves. They are a real part of the beauty and grace 
af our human life. Courtesy, and self-possession, and deference and respect for 
others ; modesty and gentleness towards all men, and recognition in all of the true 
go\6. of humanity, whether it bear the guinea stamp or no; love of truth and 
honour ; and not only readiness, but eagerness to help the weak, and defend their 
cause against the strong ; and all these irradiated and glorified, as often as may be, 
by that sentiment which 

' Gives to every power a double power. 
Above their functions and their offices ;' — - 

these are the things which make the lady and the gentleman. 

And if it should seem as though the chivaliy of our own times is reduced to 
something less noble than that of old, when men risked life, and things dearer than 
life, in defending the weak and attacking the oppressor in his strongholds — when 
the hardness of the actual fight against evil-doers was not exaggerated in the 
romances which pictured the knights contending with dragons and enchanters and 
giants — we must remember that our nineteenth century world is yet far from cleared 
of the monstrous powers of evil, which still oppress and devour the weak ; and that 
a, battle, not really less resolute, nor, if need be, less desperate, than those of old, is 
still carried on by those who, under the modest guise of common life, are fighting 
in the true spirit of chivalry — uniting the most adventurous enthusiasm with the 
most patient endurance, and both with the gentlest service of the poor, the weak, 
and the oppressed; and, what is most worthy of admiration, the service of the 
morally poor, and weak, and oppressed, who, but for such deliverers, must remain 
in a house of bondage darker than can be built or barred by earthly hands. 

But whether we are content with the chivalry of manners, or aspire to a place in 
the brotherhood of the chivalry of action, our principles, our maxims, and our 
examples have come down to us as an inheritance from the past : — an inheritance 
common to all who care to claim it ; and won for us by the old knights, fighting 
in the name of God and of their ladies ^ 

^ My principal authorities — whose words subject ; Gibbon's Dech'ne and Fall ; God- 
as well as facts I have frequently availed win's Life of Chaucer ; Scott's Essay on 
m)-self of — are Mills's History of Chi- Chivalry; Lord Berners's Froissart; and 
iralry, which alone almost exhausts the Southey's Amadis of Gaul. 



THE BOOK OF 

KING ARTHUR 

AND OF HIS NOBLE 

KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. 



4 



PREFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON. 



After that I had accomplished and 
finished divers histories, as well of con- 
templation as of other historial and 
worldly acts of great conquerors and 
princes, and also certain books of en- 
samples and doctrine, many noble and 
divers gentlemen of this realm of Eng- 
land came and demanded me many and 
ofttimes, wherefore that I have not do 
made and imprint the noble history of 
the Saint Greal, and of the most re- 
nowned Christian king, first and chief 
of the three best Christian, and worthy, 
king Arthur, which ought most to be 
remembered amongst us Englishmen 
tofore all other Christian kings ; for it 
is notoriously known through the uni- 
versal world, that there be nine worthy 
and the best that ever were, that is to 
wit, three Paynim.s, three Jews, and 
three Christian men. As for the Paynims, 
they were tofore the Incarnation of 
Christ, which were named, the first 
Hector of Troy, of whom the history is 
comen both in ballad and in prose, the 
second Alexander the Great, and the 
third Julius Ccesar, Emperor of Rome, 
of whom the histories be well known 
and had. And as for the three Jews, 
which also were tofore the incarnation 
of our Lord, of whom the first was duke 
Joshua which brought the children of 
Israel into the land of behest, the second 
David king of Jerusalem, and the third 
Judas Machabeus. Of these three the 
Bible rehearseth all their noble histories 
and acts. And since the said incarna- 
tion have been three noble Christian 
men, stalled and admitted through the 



universal world into the number of the 
nine best and worthy. Of whom was 
first the noble Arthur, whose noble acts 
I purpose to write in this present book 
here following. The second was Charie- 
main, or Charles the Great, of whom 
the history is had in many places, both 
in French and in English. And the 
third and last was Godfrey of Boloine, 
of whose acts and life I made a book 
unto the excellent prince and king of 
noble memory, king Edward the Fourth. 
The said noble gentlemen instantly re- 
quired me to imprint the history of the 
said noble king and conqueror king 
Arthur, and of his knights, with the 
history of the Saint Greal, and of the 
death and ending of the said Arthur; 
affirming that I ought rather to imprint 
his acts and noble feats, than of Godfrey 
of Boloine, or any of the other eight, 
considering that he was a man born 
within this realm, and king and em- 
peror of the same : and that there be in 
French divers and many noble volumes 
of his acts, and also of his knights. To 
whom I answered that divers men hold 
opinion that there was no such Arthur, 
and that all such books as been made of 
him, be but feigned and fables, because 
that some chronicles makeof him no men- 
tion, nor remember him nothing, nor of 
his knights. Whereto they answered, and 
one in special said, that in him that should 
say or think that there was never such 
a king called Arthur, might well be 
aretted great folly and blindness. For 
he said that there were many evidences 
of the contrary. First ye may see his 



PREFACE OF 



sepulchre in the monastery of Glasting- 
bury. And also in Policronicon, in the 
fifth book the sixth chapter, and in the 
seventh book the twenty-third chapter, 
where his body was buried, and after 
found, and translated into the said 
monastery. Ye shall see also in the 
history of Bochas in his book De Casu 
Prmcipum part of his noble acts, and 
also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his 
British book recounteth his life : and in 
divers places of England many remem- 
brances be yet of him, and shall remain 
perpetually, and also of his knights. 
First in the abbey of Westminster, at 
St, Edward's shrine, remaineth the print 
of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, 
in which is written, Patricius Arthtinis 
Britatinie, Gallic, Germanie, Dacie, Ini- 
perator. Item in the castle of Dover ye 
may see Gawaine's scull, and Cradok's 
mantle : at Winchester the Round 
Table : in other places Launcelot's 
sword and many other things. Then 
all these things considered, there can no 
man reasonably gainsay but that there 
was a king of this land named Arthur. 
For in all places. Christian and hea- 
then, he is reputed and taken for one of 
the nine worthy, and the first of the three 
Christian men. And also, he is more 
spoken of beyond the sea, more books 
made of his noble acts, than there be 
in England, as well in Dutch, Italian, 
Spanish, and Greekish, as in French. And 
yet of record remain in witness of him 
in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the 
great stones and the marvellous works 
of iron lying under the ground, and 
royal vaults, which divers now living 
have seen. Wherefore it is a marvel 
why he is no more renowned in his 
own country, save only it accordeth to 
the Word of God, which saith that no 
man is accepted for a prophet in his 
own country. Then all these things 
aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny 
but that there was such a noble king 
named Arthur, and reputed one of 
the nine worthy, and first and chief of 
the Christian men. And many noble 
volumes be made of him and of his 
noble knights in French, which I have 



seen and read beyond the sea, which be 
not had in our maternal tongue. But in 
Welsh be many and also in French, and 
some in English but no where nigh 
all. Wherefore, such as have late 
been drawn out briefly into English 
I have after the simple conning that 
God hath sent to me, under the favour 
and correction of all noble lords 
and gentlemen, enprised to imprint 
a book of the noble histories of the 
said king Arthur, and of certain of his 
knights, after a copy unto me delivered, 
which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did 
take out of certain books of French, 
and reduced it into English. And I, 
according to my copy, have down set 
it in print, to the intent that noble men 
may see and learn the noble acts of 
chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds 
that some knights used in those days, 
by which they came to honour, and how 
they that were vicious were punished and 
oft put to shame and rebuke ; humbly be- 
seeching all noble lords and ladies, with 
all other estates of what estate or degree 
they been of, that shall see and read in 
this said book and work, that they 
take the good and honest acts in their 
remembrance, and to follow the same. 
Wherein they shall find many joyous 
and pleasant histories, and noble and 
renowned acts of humanity, gentle- 
ness, and chivalry. For herein may be 
seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, 
friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, 
cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and 
sin. Do after the good and leave the 
evil, and it shall bring you to good 
fame and renommee. And for to pass 
the time this book shall be pleasant to 
read in, but for to give faith and belief 
that all is true that is contained herein, 
ye be at your liberty : but all is written 
for our doctrine, and for to beware that 
we fall not to vice nor sin, but to exer- 
cise and follow virtue, by the which we 
may come and attain to good fame 
and renown in this life, and after this 
short and transitory life to come unto 
everlasting bliss in heaven; the which 
He grant us that reigneth in heaven, 
the blessed Trinity. Amen. 



WILLIAM CAXTON. 



Then to proceed forth in this said 
book, the which I direct unto all noble 
princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or 
gentlewomen, that desire to read or hear 
read of the noble and joyous history of 
the great conqueror and excellent king, 
King Arthur, sometime king of this 
noble realm, then called Britain ; I, 
William Caxton, simple person, present 
this book following, which I have en- 
prised to imprint : and treateth of the 
noble acts, feats of arms of chivalry, 
prowess, hardiness, humanity, love, 
courtesy, and very gentleness, with 
many wonderful histories and adven- 
tures. And for to understand briefly 
the content of this volume, I have 
divided it into XXI Books, and every 
book chaptered, as hereafter shall by 
God's grace follow. The First Book 
shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat 
the noble conqueror king Arthur, and 
containeth xxviii chapters. The Second 
Book treateth of Balin the noble knight, 
and containeth xix chapters. The Third 
Book treateth of the marriage of king 
Arthur to queen Guenever, with other 
matters, and containeth xv chapters. The 
Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, 
and of war made to king Arthur, and 
containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth 
Book treateth of the conquest of Lucius 
the emperor, and containeth xii chap- 
ters. The Sixth Book treateth of Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and man'el- 
lous adventures, and containeth xviii 
chapters. The Seventh Book treateth 
of a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and 
named by Sir Kay Beaumains, and 
containeth xxx\-i chapters. The Eighth 
Book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram 



the noble knight, and of his acts, and 
containeth xli chapters. The Ninth 
Book treateth of a knight named by 
Sir Kay Le Cote male taille, and also 
of Sir Tristram, and containeth xliv 
chapters. The Tenth Book treateth of 
Sir Tristram, and other marvellous ad- 
ventures, and containeth Ixxxviii chap- 
ters. The Eleventh Book treateth of Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and con- 
taineth xiv chapters. The Twelfth 
Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his 
madness, and containeth xiv chapters. 
The Thirteenth Book treateth how Gala- 
had came first to king Arthur's court, 
and the quest how the Sangreal was 
begun, and containeth xx chapters. The 
Fourteenth Book treateth of the quest 
of the Sangreal, and containeth x chap- 
ters. The Fifteenth Book treateth of 
Sir Launcelot, and containeth vi chap- 
ters. The Sixteenth Book treateth of 
Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother, and 
containeth xvii chapters. The Seven- 
teenth Book treateth of the Sangreal, 
and containeth xxiii chapters. The 
Eighteenth Book treateth of Sir Laun- 
celot and the queen, and containeth 
XXV chapters. The Nineteenth Book 
treateth of queen Guenever and Laun- 
celot, and containeth xiii chapters. The 
Twentieth Book treateth of the piteous 
death of Arthur, and containeth xxii chap- 
ters. The Twenty-first Book treateth of 
his last departing, and how Sir Launcelot 
came to revenge his death, and containeth 
xiii chapters. The sum is twenty-one 
books, which contain the sum of five 
hundred and seven chapters, as more 
plainly shall follow hereafter. 



Xl)e Xable or ^auftrpSiSlje 

of Wjn 

Content of C{)apters. 



aSortlg of tfic Jpirst 23oo!i of mmg gtrtfjur. 



First how Uther Pendragon sent for the 
duke of Cornwall and Igraine his 
wife, and of their departing sud- 
denly again. Chap. i. 

How Uther Pendragon made war on 
the duke of Cornwall, and how by 
the means of Merlin he made the 
duchess his queen. Chap, ii. 

Of the birth of king Arthur, and of his 
nouriture, and of the death of king 
Uther Pendragon; and how Arthur 
■ was chosen king ; and of wonders and 
marvels of a sword that was taken 
out of a stone by the said Arthur. 

Chap. iii. 

How king Arthur pulled out the sword 
divers times. Chap. iv. 

How king Arthur was crowned and how 
he made officers. Chap. v. 

How king Arthur held in Wales, at a 
Pentecost, a great feast, and what 
kings and lords came to his feast. 

Chap. vi. 

Of the first war that king Arthur had, 
and how he won the field. Chap. vii. 

How Merlin counselled king Arthur to 
send for king Ban and king Bors, and 
of their counsel taken for the war. 

Chap. viii. 

Of a great tourney made by king Arthur 
and the two kings Ban and Bors, and 
how they went over the sea. 

Chap. ix. 



How eleven kings gathered a great host 
against king Arthur. Chap. x. 

Of a dream of the king with the hundred 
knights. Chap. xi. 

How the eleven kings with their host 
fought against Arthur and his host, 
and many great feats of the war. 

Chap. xii. 

Yet of the same battle. Chap. xiii. 

Yet more of the same battle. Chap. xiv. 

Yet more of the said battle, and how it 
M^as ended by Merlin. Chap. xv. 

How king Arthur, king Ban, and king 
Bors rescued king Leodegrance, and 
other incidents. Chap. xvi. 

How king Arthur rode to Carlion, and 
of his dream, and how he saw the 
questing beast. Chap. xvii. 

How king Pellinore took Arthur's horse 
and followed the questing beast, and 
how Merlin met with Arthur. 

Chap, xviii. 

How Ulfius appeached queen Igraine, 

Arthur's mother, of treason ; and 

how a knight came and desired to 

have the death of his master revenged. 

Chap. xix. 

How Griflet was made knight and justed 
with a knight. Chap. xx. 

How twelve knights came from Rome 
and asked truage for this land of 
Arthur, and how Arthur fought with 
a knight. Chap. xxi. 



CONTENTS. 



5 



How Merlin saved Arthur's life, and 
threw an enchantment upon king Pel- 
linore, and made him to sleep. 

Chap. xxii. 

How Arthi;r by the mean of Merlin 
got Excalibur his sword of the Lady 
of the Lake. Chap, xxiii. 



How tidings came to Arthur that king 
Ryons had overcome eleven kings, 
and how he desired Arthur's beard to 
trim his mantle. Chap. xxiv. 

How all the children were sent for that 
were born on May-day, and how 
Mordred was saved. Chap. xxv. 



STj^t ^mriti i3t)oh 



Of a damsel which came girded with a 

sword, for to find a man of such 

virtue to draw it out of the scabbard. 

Chap. i. 

How Balin, arrayed like a poor knight, 
pulled out the sword, which afterward 
was cause of his death. Chap. ii. 

How the Lady of the Lake demanded 
the knight's head that had won the 
sword, or the maiden's head. 

Chap. iii. 

How Merlin told the adventure of this 
damsel. Chap. iv. 

How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, 
knight of Ireland, and how he justed 
and slew him. Chap. v. 

How a damsel which was love to 

Lanceor, slew herself for love, and 

how Balin met with his brother Balan. 

Chap. vi. 

How a dwarf reproved Balin for the 
death of Lanceor, and how king 
Mark of Cornwall found them, and 
made a tomb over them. Chap. vii. 

How Merlin prophesied that two the 
best knights of the world should fight 
there, which were Sir Launcelot and 
Sir Tristram. Chap. viii. 

How Balin and his brother, by the 
counsel of Merlin, took king Ryons 
and brought him to king Arthur. 

Chap. ix. 

How king Arthur had a battle against 
Nero and king Lot of Orkney ; and 
how king Lot was deceived by Merlin, 
and how twelve kings were slain. 

Chap. X. 



Of the intennent of twelve kings, and of 
the prophecy of Merlin how BaHn 
should give the dolorous stroke. 

Chap. xi. 

How a sorrowful knight came tofore 
Arthur, and how Balin fetched him, 
and how that knight was slain by a 
knight invisible. Chap. xii. 

How Balin and the damsel met with a 
knight which was in like wise slain, 
and how the damsel bled for the 
custom of a castle. Chap. xiii. 

How Balin met with that knight named 
Garlon at a feast, and there he slew 
him to have his blood to heal there- 
with the son of his host. 

Chap. xiv. 

How Balin fought with king Pellam, 
and how his sword brake, and how he 
gat a spear, wherewith he smote the 
dolorous stroke. Chap. xv. 

How Balin was delivered by Merlin, 
and saved a knight that would have 
slain himself for love. Chap. xvi. 

How that knight slew his love, and a 
knight with her; and after how he 
slew himself with his own sword, 
and how Balin rode toward a castle 
where he lost his life. Chap. xvii. 

How Balin met with his brother Balan, 
and how each of them slew other un- 
known, till they were wounded to 
death. Chap, xviii. 

How Merlin buried them both in one 
tomb, and of Balin's sword. 

Chap. xix. 



CONTENTS. 



I^trc foUoto l6e Chapters of X\^z Wiyix^ 23oo!{. 



How king Arthur took a wife, and 

wedded Guenever daughter to Leode- 

grance, king of the land of Cameliard, 

with whom he had the Round Table. 

Chap. i. 

How the knights of the Round Table 
were ordained and their sieges blessed 
by the bishop of Canterbury. 

Chap. ii. 

How a poor man riding upon a lean 
mare desired of king Arthur to make 
his son knight. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Tor was known for son of 
king Pellinore, and how Gawaine was 
made knight. Chap. iv. 

How at the feast of the wedding of 
king Arthur to Guenever, a white hart 
came into the hall, and thirty couple 
hounds, and how a brachet pinched 
the hart, which was taken away. 

Chap. V. 

How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch 
again the hart, and how two brethren 
fought each against other for the 
hart. Chap. vi. 

How the hart was chased into a castle, 
and there slain ; and how Gawaine 
slew a lady. Chap. vii. 

How four knights fought against Sir 



Gawaine and Gaheris, and how they 
were overcome and their lives saved 
at the request of four ladies. 

Chap. viii. 

How Sir Tor rode after the knight with 
the brachet, and of his adventure by 
the way. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Tor found the brachet with a 
lady, and how a knight assailed him 
for the said brachet. Chap. x. 

How Sir Tor overcame the knight, and 
how he lost his head at the request of 
a lady. Chap, xi. 

How king Pellinore rode after the lady 
and the knight that led her away, and 
how a lady desired help of him, and 
how he fought with two knights for 
that lady, of whom he slew that one 
at the first stroke. Chap. xii. 

How king Pellinore gat the lady, and 
brought her to Camelot to the court 
of king Arthur. Chap. xiii. 

How on the way he heard two knights 
as he lay by night in a valley, and of 
other adventures. Chap. xiv. 

How when he was come to Camelot he 
was sworn upon a book to tell the 
truth of his quest. Chap. xv. 



I^m foUoto tSe Chapters of t^e Jpourtfi 23oo]fe. 



How Merlin was assotted, and doted 
on one of the ladies of the lake, and 
how he was shut in a rock under a 
stone, and there died. Chap. i. 

How five kings came into this land to 
war against king Arthur, and what 
counsel Arthur had against them. 

Chap. ii. 

How king Arthur had ado with them, 
and overthrew them, and slew the five 
kings, and made the remnant to flee. 
Chap. iii. 

How the battle was finished or he came, 
and how the king founded an abbey 
where the battle was. Chap. iv. 

How Sir Tor was made knight of the 



Round Table, and how Bagdemagus 
was displeased. Chap. v. 

How king Arthur, king Uriens, and 
Sir Accolon of Gaul chased an hart, 
and of their marvellous adventure. 

Chap. vi. 

How Arthur took upon him to fight, 
to be delivered out of prison, and also 
for to deliver twenty knights that were 
in prison. Chap. vii. 

How Accolon found himself by a well, 
and he took upon him to do battle 
against Arthur. Chap. viii. 

Of the battle between king Arthur and 
Accolon. Chap. ix. 

How king Arthur's sword that he fought 



CONTENTS. 



with brake, and how he recovered of 
Accolon his own sword Excalibur, 
and overcame his enemy. Chap. x. 

How Accolon confessed the treason of 
Morgan le fay, king Arthur's sister, 
and how she would have done slay 
him. Chap. xi. 

How Arthur accorded the two brethren, 
and delivered the twenty knights, and 
how Sir Accolon died. Chap. xii. 

How Morgan would have slain Sir 
Uriens her husband, and how Sir 
Ewain her son saved him. 

Chap. xiii. 

How queen Morgan le fay made great 
sorrow for the death of Accolon, and 
how she stole away the scabbard 
from Arthur. Chap. xiv. 

How Morgan le fay saved a knight that 
should have been drowned, and how 
king Arthur returned home again. 

Chap. XV. 

How the damsel of the lake saved king 
Arthur from a mantle which should 
have burnt him. Chap, xvi. 

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewain met 
with twelve fair damsels, and how 
they complained on Sir Marhaus. 

Chap. xvii. 

How Sir Marhaus justed with Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Ewain, and overthrew 
them both. Chap, xviii. 



How Sir Marhaus, Sir Gawaine, and Sir 
Ewain met three damsels, and each 
of them took one. Chap. xix. 

How a knight and a dwarf strove for a 
lady. Chap. xx. 

How king Pelleas suffered himself to be 
taken prisoner because he would have 
a sight of his lady, and how Sir Ga- 
waine promised him for to get to him 
the love of his lady. Chap. xxi. 

How Sir Gawaine came to the lady 
Ettard, and how Sir Pelleas found 
them sleeping. Chap. xxii. 

How Sir Pelleas loved no more Ettard, 
by the mean of the damsel of the 
lake, whom he loved ever after. 

Chap, xxiii. 

How Sir Marhaus rode with the damsel, 
and how he came to the duke of the 
South Marches. Chap. xxiv. 

How Sir Marhaus fought with the duke 
and his six sons, and made them to 
yield them. Chap. xxv. 

How Sir Ewain rode with the damsel 
of sixty year of age, and how he 
gat the prize at tourneying. 

Chap. xxvi. 

How Sir Ewain fought with two knights, 
and overcame them. Chap, xxvii. 

How at the year's end all three knights 
with their three damsels met at the 
fountain. Chap, xxviii. 



Of tl)t jpiftS 313ooii tje <2rSapters follotu. 



How twelve aged ambassadors of Rome 
came to king Arthur to demand truage 
for Britain. Chap. i. 

How the kings and lords promised to 
king Arthur aid and help against the 
Romans. Chap. ii. 

How king Arthur held a parliament at 
York, and how he ordained how the 
realm should be governed in his ab- 
sence. Chap. iii. 

How king Arthur being shipped, and 

lying in his cabin, had a marvellous 

dream, and of the exposition thereof. 

Chap. iv. 

How a man of the country told to him 
of a marvellous giant, and how he 
fought and conquered him. Chap. v. 



How king Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and 
other to Lucius, and how they were 
assailed and escaped with worship. 

Chap. vi. 

How Lucius sent certain spies in a bush- 
ment, for to have taken his knights, 
being prisoners, and how they were 
letted. Chap. vii. 

How a senator told to Lucius of their 
discomfiture, and also of the great 
battle between Arthur and Lucius. 

Chap. viii. 

How Arthur, after he had achieved the 
battle against the Romans, entered 
into Almaine, and so into Italy. 

Chap. ix. 

Of a battle done by Gawaine against 



CONTENTS. 



a Saracen, which after was yielden 
and became Christian. Chap. x. 

How the Saracens came out of a wood 
for to rescue their beasts, and of a 
great battle. Chap. xi. 



How Sir Gawaine returned to king 
Arthur with his prisoners, and how 
the king won a city, and how he was 
crowned emperor. Chap. xii. 



I^ere follolo t^c ©fiaptcrs o! tje &ixt6 33ooli. , 



How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel de- 
parted from the court for to seek 
adventures, and how Sir Lionel left 
him sleeping, and was taken. Chap. i. 

How Sir Ector followed for to seek Sir 
Launcelot, and how he was taken by 
Sir Turquine. Chap. ii. 

How four queens found Launcelot 

sleeping, and how by enchantment 

he was taken and led into a castle. 

Chap. iii. 

How Sir Launcelot was delivered by 
the mean of a damsel. Chap. iv. 

How a knight found Sir Launcelot, and 
how Sir Launcelot fought with the 
knight. Chap. v. 

How Sir Launcelot was received of king 
Bagdemagus's daughter, and he made 
his complaint to her father. 

Chap. vi. 

How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a 
tournament, and how he met with Sir 
Turquine leading Sir Gaheris. 

Chap. vii. 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Turquine 
fought together. Chap. viii. 

How Sir Turquine was slain, and how 
Sir Launcelot bad Sir Gaheris de- 
liver all the prisoners. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Launcelot rode M'ith the dam- 



sel and slew a knight that distressed 
all ladies, and also a villain that kept 
a bridge. Chap. x. 

How Sir Launcelot slew two giants, and 
made a castle free. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in 
Sir Kay's harness, and how he smote 
down a knight. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Launcelot jousted against four 
knights of the Round Table, and over- 
threw them. Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Launcelot followed a brachet 
into a castle, where he found a dead 
knight, and how he after was required 
of a damsel to heal her brother. 

Chap. xiv. 

How Sir Launcelot came into the Chapel 
Perilous, and gat there of a dead 
corpse a piece of the cloth and a 
sword. Chap. xv. 

How Sir Launcelot, at the request of a 
lady, recovered a falcon, by which he 
was deceived. Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Launcelot overtook a knight 
which chased his wife to have slain her, 
and how he said to him. Chap. xvii. 

How Sir Launcelot came to king Ar- 
thur's court, and how there were 
recounted all his noble feats and acts. 
Chap, xviii. 



'^m foUoh) t6e €]&aptcrs of Xlz ^ebcntS iiSooife. 



How Beaumains came to king Arthur's 
court, and demanded three petitions 
of king Arthur. Chap. i. 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine 
were wroth because Sir Kay mocked 
Beaumains, and of a damsel which 
desired a knight for to fight for a 
lady. Chap. ii. 



How Beaumains desired the battle, and 
how it was granted to him, and how 
he desired to be made knight of Sir 
Launcelot. Chap. iii. 

How Beaumains departed, and how he 
gat of Sir Kay a spear and a shield, 
and how he justed and fought with 
Sir Launcelot. Chap. iv. 



CONTENTS. 



How Beaumains told to Sir Launcelot 
his name, and how he was dubbed 
knight of Sir Launcelot, and after 
overtook the damsel. Chap. v. 

How Sir Beaumains fought and slew 
two knights at a passage. Chap. vi. 

How Beaumains fought with the knight 
of the black lands, and fought with 
him till he fell down and died. 

Chap. vii. 

How the brother of the knight that was 
slain met with Beaumains, and fought 
with Beaumains till he was yielden. 
Chap. viii. 

How the damsel ever rebuked Beau- 
mains, and would not suffer him to 
sit at her table, but called him kitchen 
boy. Chap. ix. 

How the third brother, called the red 
knight, jousted and fought against 
Beaumains, and how Beaumains over- 
came him. Chap. x. 

How Sir Beaumains suffered great re- 
bukes of the damsel, and he suffered 
it patiently. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Beaumains fought with Sir 
Persant of inde, and made him to be 
yielden. Chap. xii. 

Of the goodly communication between 
Sir Persant and Beaumains, and how 
he told him that his name was Sir 
Gareth. Chap. xiii. 

How the lady that was besieged had 
word from her sister how she had 
brought a knight to fight for her, and 
what battles he had achieved. 

Chap. xiv. 

How the damsel and Beaumains came 
to the siege, and came to a sycamore 
tree, and there Beaumains blew an 
horn, and then the knight of the red 
lands came to fight with him. 

Chap. XV. 

How the two knights met together, and 
of their talking, and how they began 
their battle. Chap. x\'i. 

How after long fighting Beaumains over- 
came the knight and would have slain 
him, but at the request of the lords 
he saved his life, and made him to 
yield him to the lady. Chap. xvii. 

How the knight yielded him, and how 
Beaumains made him to go unto king 



Arthur's court, and to cry Sir Laun- 
celot mercy. Chap, xviii. 

How Beaumains came to the lady, and 
when he came to the castle the gates 
were closed against him, and of the 
words that the lady said to him. 

Chap. xix. 

How Sir Beaumains rode after to rescue 
his dwarf, and came into the castle 
where he was. Chap. xx. 

How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beau- 
mains, came to the presence of his 
lady, and how they took acquaint- 
ance, and of their love. Chap. xxi. 

How at night came an armed knight, 
and fought with Sir Gareth, and he, 
sore hurt in the thigh, smote off the 
knight's head. Chap. xxii. 

How the said knight came again the 
next night, and was beheaded again. 
And how at the feast of Pentecost all 
the knights that Sir Gareth had over- 
come came and yielded them to king 
Arthur. Chap, xxiii. 

How king Arthur pardoned them, and 
demanded of them where Sir Gareth 
was. Chap. xxiv. 

How the queen of Orkney came to this 
feast of Pentecost, and Sir Gawaine 
and his brethren came to ask her 
blessing. Chap. xxv. 

How king Arthur sent for the lady 
Liones, and how she let cry a tourney 
at her castle, where as came many 
knights. Chap. xxvi. 

How king Arthur went to the tourna- 
ment with his knights, and how the 
lady received him worshipfully, and 
how the knights encountered. 

Chap, xxvii. 

How the knights bare them in battle. 

Chap, xxviii. 

Yet of the said tournament. Chap. xxix. 

How Sir Gareth was espied by the 
heralds, and how he escaped out of 
the field. Chap xxx. 

How Sir Gareth came to a castle where 
he was well lodged, and how be 
justed with a knight and slew him. 

Chap. xxxi. 

How Sir Gareth fought with a knight 
that held within his castle thirty ladies, 
and how he slew him. Chap, xxxii. 



CONTENTS. 



How Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth fought 
each against other, and how they knew 
each other by the damsel Linet. 

Chap, xxxiii. 

How Sir Gareth acknowledged that 
they loved each other to king Arthur, 



and of the appointment of their wed- 
ding. Chap, xxxiv. 
Of the great royalty, and what officers 
were made at the feast of the wed- 
ding, and of the justs at the feast. 

Chap. XXXV. 



^m follcto tje OTfiapttrs of tit lEigfttS 33oo!{. 



How Sir Tristram de Liones was born, 
and how his mother died at his birth, 
wherefore she named him Tristram. 
Chap. i. 

How the step-mother of Sir Tristram 
had ordained poison for to have poi- 
soned Sir Tristram. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Tristram was sent into France, 
and had one to govern him named 
Gouvernail, and how he learned to 
harp, hawk, and hunt. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Marhaus came out of Ireland 
for to ask truage of Cornwall, or else 
he would fight therefore. Chap. iv. 

How Tristram enterprized the battle to 
fight for the truage of Cornwall, and 
how he was made knight. Chap. v. 

How Sir Tristram arrived into the 
island for to furnish the battle with 
Sir Marhaus. Chap. vi. 

How Sir Tristram fought against Sir 
Marhaus, and achieved his battle, and 
how Sir Marhaus fled to his ship. 

Chap. vii. 

How Sir Marhaus, after that he was 
arrived in Ireland, died of the stroke 
that Tristram had given to him, and 
how Tristram was hurt. Chap. viii. 

How Sir Tristram was put to the keep- 
ing of La Beale Isoud, for to be healed 
of his wound. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Tristram won the degree at 
a tournament in Ireland, and there 
made Palamides to bear no harness 
in a year. Chap. x. 

How the queen espied that Sir Tristram 
had slain her brother. Sir Marhaus, 
by his sword, and in what jeopardy 
he was. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Tristram departed from the 



king and La Beale Isoud out of Ire- 
land for to come into Cornwall. 

Chap. xii. 

How Sir Tristram and king Mark hurt 
each other for the love of a knight's 
wife. Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Tristram came to the lady, 
and how her husband fought with 
Sir Tristram, Chap. xiv. 

How Sir Bleoberis demanded the fairest 
lady in king Mark's court, whom he 
took away, and how he was fought 
with. Chap. xv. 

How Sir Tristram fought with two 
knights of the Round Table. 

Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Bleo- 
beris for a lady, and how the lady 
was put to choice to whom she 
would go. Chap. xvii. 

How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and 
abode with Sir Bleoberis, and how 
she desired to go to her husband. 

Chap, xviii. 

How king Mark sent Sir Tristram for 
La Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and 
how by fortune he arrived into Eng- 
land. Chap. xix. 

How king Anguish of Ireland was sum- 
moned to come to king Arthur's court 
for treason. Chap. xx. 

How Sir Tristram rescued a child from 
a knight, and how Gouvernail told 
him of king Anguish. Chap. xxi. 

How Sir Tristram fought for Sir Anguish 
and overcame his adversary, and how 
his adversary would never yield him. 
Chap. xxii. 

How Sir Blamor desired Tristram to 
slay him, and how Sir Tristram spared 



CONTENTS. 



him, and how they took appoint- 
ment. Chap, xxiii. ! 

How Sir Tristram demanded La Beale 
Isoud for king Mark, and how Sir 
Tristram and Isoud drank the love 
drink. Chap. xxiv. 

How Sir Tristram and Isoud were in 
prison, and how he fought for her 
beauty, and smote off another lady's 
head. Chap. xxv. 

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir 
Breunor, and at the last smote off 
his head. Chap. xxvi. 

How Sir Galahad fought with Sir Tris- 
tram, and how Sir Tristram yielded 
him and promised to fellowship with 
Launcelot. Chap, xxvii. 

How Sir Launcelot met with Sir Carados 
bearing away Sir Gawaine, and of the 
rescue of Sir Gawaine. 

Chap, xxviii. 

Of the wedding of king Mark to La 
Beale Isoud, and of Bragwaine her 
maid, and of Palamides. 

Chap. xxix. 

How Palamides demanded queen Isoud, 
and how Lambegus rode after to 
rescue her, and of the escape of 
Isoud. Chap, xxx. 

How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, 
and how he found him and fought 
with him, and by the mean of Isoud 
the battle ceased. Chap. xxxi. 

How Sir Tristram brought queen Isoud 



home, and of the debate of king Mark 
and Sir Tristram. Chap, xxxii. 

How Sir Lamorak justed with thirty 
knights, and Sir Tristram at the re- 
quest of king ]\Iark smote his horse 
down. Chap, xxxiii. 

How Sir Lamorak sent an horn to 
king Mark in despite of Sir Tristram, 
and how Sir Tristram was driven into 
a chapel. Chap, xxxiv. 

How Sir Tristram was holpen by his 
men, and of queen Isoud, which M^as 
put in a lazarcote, and how Tristram 
was hurt. Chap. xxxv. 

How Sir Tristram served in war the 
king Howell of Britain and slew his 
adversary in the field. Chap, xxxvi. 

How Sir Suppinabiles told Sir Tristram 
how he was defamed in the court of 
king Arthur, and of Sir Lamorak. 

Chap, xxxvii. 

How Sir Tristram and his wife arrived 
in Wales, and how he met there with 
Sir Lamorak. Chap, xxxviii. 

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Na- 
bon and overcame him, and made Sir 
Lamorak lord of the isle. Chap, xxxix. 

How Sir Lamorak departed from Sir 
Tristram, and how he met with Sir 
Frol, and after with Sir Launcelot. 

Chap. xl. 

How Sir Lamorak slew Sir Frol, and 
of the courteous fighting with Sir 
Belliance his brother. Chap. xli. 



I^ere folloto tje (2Q^J)apters of tfic iamt^ ^oofi. 



How a young man came into the court 
of king Arthur, and how Sir Kay 
called him in scorn La Cote Male 
Taile. Chap. i. 

How a damsel came unto the court and 
desired a knight to take on him an 
inquest, which La Cote Male Taile 
emprized. Chap. ii. 

How La Cote Male Taile overthrew 

Sir Dagonet the king's fool, and of 

the rebuke that he had of the damsel. 

Chap. iii. 

How La Cote Male Taile fought against 



an hundred knights, and how he es- 
caped by the mean of a lady. 

Chap. iv. 
How Sir Launcelot came to the court 
and heard of La Cote Male Taile, 
and how he followed after him, and 
how La Cote Male Taile was prisoner. 
Chap. V. 
How Sir Launcelot fought with six 
knights, and after with Sir Brian, and j 
how he delivered the prisoners. j 

Chap. vi. j 
How Sir Launcelot met with the damsel j 



CONTENTS. 



named Maledisant, and named her the 
damsel Bienpensant. Chap. vii. 

How La Cote Male Taile was taken 
prisoner, and after rescued by Sir 
Launcelot, and how Sir Launcelot 
overcame four brethren. Chap. viii. 

How Sir Launcelot made La Cote Male 
Taile lord of the castle of Pendragon, 
and after was made knight of the 
Round Table. Chap. ix. 

How La Beale Isoud sent letters unto 
Sir Tristram by her maid Bragwaine, 
and of divers adventures of Sir Tris- 
tram. Chap. X. 

How Sir Tristram met with Sir Lamo- 
rak de Galis, and how they fought, 
and after accorded never to fight to- 
gether. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Palamides followed the quest- 
ing beast, and how he smote down 
both Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak 
with one spear. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Lamorak met with Sir Me- 
liagance, and fought together for the 
beauty of queen Guenever. 

Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Meliagance told for what 
cause they fought, and how Sir La- 
morak justed with king Arthur. 

Chap. xiv. 

How Sir Kay met with Sir Tristram, 
and after of the shame spoken of the 
knights of Cornwall, and how they 
justed. Chap. xv. 

How king Arthur was brought into the 
Forest Perilous, and how Sir Tristram 
saved his life. Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Tristram came to La Beale 
Isoud, and how Kehydius began to 
love La Beale Isoud, and of a letter 
that Tristram found. Chap. xvii. 

How Sir Tristram departed from Tin- 
tagil, and how he sorrowed, and was 
so long in a forest till he was out of 
his mind. Chap, xviii. 

How Sir Tristram soused Dagonet in 
a well, and how Palamides sent a 
damsel to seek Tristram, and how 
Palamides met with king Mark. 

Chap. xix. 

Plow it was noised how Sir Tristram 
was dead, and how La Beale Isoud 
would have slain herself. Chap. xx. 



How king Mark found Sir Tristram 
naked, and made him to be borne 
home to Tintagil, and how he was 
there known by a brachet. Chap. xxi. 

How king Mark, by the advice of his 
council, banished Sir Tristram out of 
Cornwall the term of ten year. 

Chap. xxii. 

How a damsel sought help to help Sir 
Launcelot against thirty knights, and 
how Sir Tristram fought with them. 
Chap, xxiii. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan 
came to a lodging where they must 
just with two knights. Chap. xxiv. 

How Sir Tristram justed with Sir Kay 
and Sir Sagramor le Desirous, and 
how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram 
from Morgan le Fay. Chap. xxv. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode 

to have fought against the thirty 

knights, but they durst not come out. 

Chap. xxvi. 

How damsel Bragwaine found Tristram 
sleeping by a well, and how she de- 
livered letters to him from Beale Isoud. 
Chap, xxvii. 

How Sir Tristram had a fall of Sir Pala- 
mides, and how Launcelot overthrew 
two knights. Chap, xxviii. 

How Sir Launcelot justed with Pala- 
mides and overthrew him, and after 
he was assailed with twelve knights. 
Chap. xxix. 

How Sir Tristram behaved him the first 
day of the tournament, and there he 
had the prize. Chap. xxx. 

How Sir Tristram returned against king 
Arthur's party, because he saw Sir 
Palamides on that party. Chap. xxxi. 

How Sir Tristram found Palamides by 
a well, and brought him with him to 
his lodging. Chap, xxxii. 

How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Pa- 
lamides, and how he justed with king 
Arthur, and other feats. Chap, xxxiii. 

How Sir Launcelot hurt Sir Tristram, 
and how after Sir Tristram smote 
down Sir Palamides. Chap, xxxiv. 

How the prize of the third day was 
given to Sir Launcelot, and Sir Laun- 
celot gave it unto Sir Tristram. 

. Chap. XXXV. 



CONTENTS. 



13 



How Sir Palamides came to the castle 
where Sir Tristram was, and of the 
quest that Sir Launcelot and ten 
knights made for Sir Tristram. 

Chap, xxxvi. 

How Sir Tristram, Sir Palamides, and 
Sir Dinadan were taken and put in 
prison. Chap, xxxvii. 

How king Mark was sorry for the good 
renown of Sir Tristram : some of 
Arthur's knights justed with knights 
of Cornwall. Chap, xxxvi ii. 

Of the treason of king Mark, and 
how Sir Gaheris smote him down, 
and Andred his cousin. 

Chap, xxxix. 

How after that Sir Tristram, Sir Pala- 



mides, and Sir Dinadan had been 
long in prison they were delivered. 
Chap. xl. 

How Sir Dinadan rescued a lady from 
Sir Breuse Saunce Pite, and how Sir 
Tristram received a shield of Morgan 
le Fay. Chap. xli. 

How Sir Tristram took with him the 
shield, and also how he slew the 
paramour of Morgan le Fay. 

Chap. xlii. 

How Morgan le Fay buried her para- 
mour, and how Sir Tristram praised 
Sir Launcelot and his kin. Chap, xliii. 

How Sir Tristram at a tournament bare 
the shield that Morgan le Fay had 
delivered him. ChajD, xliv. 



I^ere follolo tfie Cj^apters of tSe '^Tentfi 33oo]fe. 



How Sir Tristram justed and smote 
do-wn king Arthur, because he told 
him not the cause why he bare that 
shield. Chap. i. 

How Sir Tristram saved Sir Palamides' 
life, and how they promised to fight 
together within a fortnight. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Tristram sought a strong 
knight that had smitten him down, 
and many other knights of the Round 
Table. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sa- 
gramor le Desirous, and Sir Dodinas 
le Savage. Chap. iv. 

How Sir Tristram met at the perron 
with Sir Launcelot, and how they 
fought together unknown. . Chap, v. 

How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tris- 
tram to the court, and of the great 
joy that the king and other made for 
the coming of Sir Tristram. Chap. vi. 

How for despite of Sir Tristram king 
Mark came with two knights into 
England, and how he slew one of 
the knights. Chap. vii. 

How king Mark came to a fountain 
where he found Sir Lamorak com- 
plaining for the love of king Lot's 
wife. Chap. viii. 

How king Mark, Sir Lamorak, and Sir 



Dinadan came to a castle, and how 
king Mark was known there. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Berluse met with king Mark, 
and how Sir Dinadan took his part. 
Chap. X. 

How king Mark mocked Sir Dinadan, 
and how they met with six knights of 
the Round Table. Chap. xi. 

How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet 
to just with king Mark, and how king 
Mark refused him. Chap, xii. 

How Sir Palamides by adventure met 
king Mark flying, and how he over- 
threw Dagonet and other knights. 

Chap. xiii. 

How king Mark and Sir Dinadan heard 
Sir Palamides making great sorrow 
and mourning for La Beale Isoud. 

Chap. xiv. 

How king Mark had slain Sir Amant 
wrongfully tofore king Arthur, and 
Sir Launcelot fetched king Mark to 
king Arthur, Chap. xv. 

How Sir Dinadan told Sir Palamides of 
the battle between Sir Launcelot and 
Sir Tristram. Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Lamorak justed with divers 
knights of the castle, wherein was 
Morgan le Fay. Chap. xvii. 

How Sir Palamides would have justed 



CONTENTS. 



for Sir Lamorak with the knights of 
the castle. Chap, xviii. 

How Sir Lamorak justed with Sir Pala- 
mides and hurt him grievously. 

Chap. xix. 

How it was told Sir Launcelot that 
Dagonet chased king Mark, and how 
a knight overthrew him and six 
knights. Chap. xx. 

How king Arthur let do cry a justs, 
and how Sir Lamorak came in and 
overthrew Sir Gawaine and many 
other. Chap. xxi. 

How king Arthur made king Mark to 

be accorded with Sir Tristram, and 

how they departed toward Cornwall, 

Chap. xxii. 

How Sir Percivale was made knight of 
king Arthur, and how a dumb maid 
spake, and brought him to the Round 
Table. Chap, xxiii. 

How Sir Lamorak visited king Lot's 
wife, and how Sir Gaheris slew her 
which was his own mother. 

Chap, xxiv. 

How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred 
met with a knight fleeing, and how 
they both were overthrown, and of 
Sir Dinadan. Chap. xxv. 

How king Arthur, the queen, and Laun- 
celot received letters out of Cornwall, 
and of the answer again. 

Chap. xxvi. 

How Sir Launcelot was wroth with the 
letter that he received from king 
Mark, and of Dinadan, which made 
a lay of king Mark, Chap, xxvii. 

How Sir Tristram was hurl, and of a 
war made to king Mark ; and of Sir 
Tristram, how he promised to rescue 
him. Chap, xxviii. 

How Sir Tristram overcame the battle, 
and how Elias desired a man to fight 
body for body. Chap, xxix. 

How Sir Elias and Sir Tristram fought 
together for the truage, and how Sir 
Tristram slew Elias in the field. 

Chap. xxx. 

How at a great feast that king Mark 
made, an harper came and sang the 
lay that Dinadan had made. 

Chap, xxxi. 

How king Mark slew by treason his 



brother Boudwin, for good service 
that he had done to him. 

Chap, xxxii. 

How Anglides, Boudwin's wife, escaped 
with her young son, Alisander le ; 
Orphelifi, and came to the castle of | 
Arundel, Chap, xxxiii. ; 

How Anglides gave the bloody doublet i 
to Alisander her son the same day i 
that he was made knight, and the i 
charge withal. Chap, xxxiv. | 

How it was told to king Mark of 
Alisander, and how he would have 
slain Sir Sadok for saving of his life. 
Chap. XXXV. 

How Sir Alisander wan the prize at 
a tournament, and of Morgan le Fay ; 
and how he fought with Sir Malgrin 
and slew him. Chap, xxxvi. 

How queen Morgan le Fay had Ali- 
sander in her castle, and how she 
healed his wounds. Chap, xxxvii. 

How Alisander was delivered from the 
queen Morgan le Fay by the means of 
a damsel. Chap, xxxviii. 

How Alisander met with Alice la Beale 
Pilgrim, and how he justed with two 
knights ; and after of him and of Sir 
Mordred. Chap, xxxix. 

How Sir Galahalt did do cry a justs in 
Surluse, and queen Guenever's knights 
should just against all that would 
come. Chap. xl. 

How Sir Launcelot fought in the tour- 
nament, and how Sir Palamides did 
arms there for a damsel. 

Chap. xli. 

How Sir Galahalt and Palamides fought 
together, and of Sir Dinadan and Sir 
Galahalt. Chap. xlii. 

How Sir Archad appealed Sir Palamides 
of treason, and how Sir Palamides slew 
him. Chap, xliii. 

Of the third day, and how Sir Palamides 
justed with Sir Lamorak, and other 
things. Chap. xliv. 

Of the fourth day, and of many great 
feats of arms. Chap, xlv. 

Of the fifth day, and how Sir Lamorak 
behaved him. Chap, xlvi. 

How Sir Palamides fought with Corsa- 
brin for a lady, and how Palamides 
slew Corsabrin, Chap, xlvii. 



CONTENTS. 



15 



Of the sixth day, and what then was 
done. Chap, xlviii. 

Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Laun- 
celot, being disguised hke a maid, 
smote down Sir Dinadan. Chap. xhx. 

How by treason Sir Tristram was 
brought to a tournament for to have 
been slain, and how he was put in 
prison. Chap. 1. 

How king Mark let do counterfeit letters 
from the Pope, and how Sir Percivale 
delivered Sir Tristram out of prison. 
Chap. li. 

How Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud 
came into England, and how Sir 
Launcelot brought them to Joyous 
Card. Chap. lii. 

How by the counsel of La Beale Isoud 
Sir Tristram rode anned, and how he 
met with Sir Palamides. Chap. liii. 

Of Sir Palamides, and how he met with 
Sir Bleoberis and with Sir Ector, and 
of Sir Percivale. Chap. liv. 

How Sir Tristram met with Sir Dina- 
dan, and of their devices, and what 
he said to Sir Gawaine's brethren. 

Chap. Iv. 

How Sir Tristram smote down Sir 
Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and how 
Sir Dinadan was sent for by La Beale 
Isoud. Chap. Ivi. 

How Sir Dinadan met with Sir Tris- 
tram, and with justing with Sir Pala- 
mides Sir Dinadan knew him. 

Chap. Ivii. 

How they approached the castle Lona- 
zep, and of other devices of the death 
of Sir Lamorak. Chap. Iviii. 

How they came to Plumber bank, and 
how they found a ship there, wherein 
lay the body of king Hermance. 

Chap. lix. 

How Sir Tristram with his fellowship 
came and were with an host which 
after fought with Sir Tristram ; and 
other matters. Chap. Ix. 

How Palamides went for to fight with 
two brethren for the death of king 
Hermance. Chap. Ixi. 

The copy of the letter written for to 
revenge the king's death, and how 
Sir Palamides fought for to have the 
battle. Chap. Ixii. 



Of the preparation of Sir Palamides 
and the two brethren that should 
fight with him. Chap. Ixiii. 

Of the battle between Sir Palamides 
and the two brethren, and how the 
two brethren were slain. 

Chap. Ixiv. 

Plow Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
met Breuse Saunce Pite, and how Sir 
Tristram and La Beale Isoud went 
unto Lonazep. Chap. Ixv. 

How Sir Palamides justed with Sir Ga- 
lihodin and after with Sir Gawaine, 
and smote them down. Chkp. Ixvi. 

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship 
came unto the tournament of Lona- 
zep ; and of divers justs and matters. 
Chap. Ixvii. 

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship 
justed, and of the noble feats that 
they did in that tourneying. 

Chap. Ixviii. 

How Sir Tristram was unhorsed and 
smitten down by Sir Launcelot, and 
after that Sir Tristram smote down 
king Arthur. Chap. Ixix. 

How Sir Tristram changed his harness 
and it was all red, and how he de- 
meaned him, and how Sir Palamides 
slew Launcelot's horse. Chap. Ixx. 

How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Pala- 
mides, and how the prize of that day 
was given unto Sir Palamides. 

Chap. Ixxi. 

How Sir Dinadan provoked Sir Tris- 
tram to do well. Chap. Ixxii. 

How king Arthur and Sir Launcelot 
came to see La Beale Isoud, and how 
Palamides smote down king Arthur. 
Chap. Ixxiii. 

How the second day Palamides for- 
sook Sir Tristram, and went to the 
contrary part against him. 

Chap. Ixxiv. 

How Sir Tristram departed out of the 
field, and awaked Sir Dinadan, and 
changed his array into black. 

Chap. Ixxv. 

How Sir Palamides changed his shield 
and his armour for to hurt Sir Tris- 
tram, and how Sir Launcelot did to 
Sir Tristram, Chap, l.xxvi. 

How Sir Tristram departed with La 



i6 



CONTENTS. 



Beale Isoud, and how Sir Palamides 
followed and excused him. 

Chap. Ixxvii. 

How king Arthur and Sir Launcelot 
came into their pavilions as they sat 
at supper, and of Palamides. 

Chap. Ixxviii. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
did the next day, and how king 
Arthur was unhorsed. Chap. Ixxix. 

How Sir Tristram turned to king Ar- 
thur's side, and how Sir Palamides 
would not. Chap. Ixxx. 

How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector re- 
ported to queen Guenever of the 
beauty of La Beale Isoud. 

Chap. Ixxxi. 

How Palamides complained by a well, 
and how Epinogris came and found 
him, and of their both sorrows. 

Chap. Ixxxii. 

How Sir Palamides brought to Sir Epi- 



nogris his lady, and how Sir Pala- 
mides and Sir Safire were assailed. 

Chap. Ixxxiii. 
Kow Sir Palamides and Sir Safire con- 
ducted Sir Epinogris to his castle, and 
of other adventures. Chap. Ixxxiv. 
How Sir Tristram made him ready to 
rescue Sir Palamides, but Sir Laun- 
celot rescued him or he came. 

Chap. Ixxxv. 
How Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot, 
with Palamides, came to Joyous Card, 
and of Palamides and Sir Tristram. 

Chap. Ixxxvi. 

How there was a day set between Sir 

Tristram and Sir Palamides for to 

fight, and how Sir Tristram was hurt. 

Chap. Ixxxvii. 

How Sir Palamides kept his day to 

have foughten but Sir Tristram might 

not come, and other things. 

Chap. Ixxxviii. 



I^cre foHolio t6e CJaptns of tje IBlebentft ^ooh 



How Sir Launcelot rode on his adven- 
ture, and how he helped a dolorous 
lady from her pain, and how that 
he fought with a dragon. Chap. i. 

How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and 
of the Sangreal, and how he begat 
Galahad on Elaine, king Pelles' 
daughter. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Launcelot was displeased when 
he knew that he had been deceived, 
and how Galahad was born. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Bors came to dame Elaine and 
saw Galahad, and how he was fed with 
the Sangreal. Chap. iv. 

How Sir Bors made Sir Pedivere to yield 
him, and of marvellous adventures 
that he had, and how he achieved 
them. Chap. v. 

How Sir Bors departed ; and how Sir 
Launcelot was rebuked of the queen 
Guenever, and of his excuse. 

Chap. vi. 

How dame Elaine, Galahad's mother, 

came in great estate to Camelot, and 

how Sir Launcelot behaved him there. 

Chap. vii. 



How dame Brisen by enchantment 
brought Sir Launcelot to Elaine, and 
how queen Guenever rebuked him. 

Chgp. viii. 

How dame Elaine was commanded by 
queen Guenever to avoid the court, 
and how Sir Launcelot became mad. 
Chap. ix. 

What sorrow queen Guenever made 
for Sir Launcelot, and how he was 
sought by knights of his kin. 

Chap. x. 

How a servant of Sir Aglovale's was 
slain, and what vengeance Sir Agio- 
vale and Sir Percivale did therefore. 
Chap. xi. 

How Sir Percivale departed secretly 
from his brother, and how he loosed 
a knight bound with a chain ; and of 
other things. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Percivale met with Sir Ector, 
and how they fought long, and each 
had almost slain other. Chap. xiii. 

How by miracle they were both made 
whole by the coming of the holy 
vessel of Sangreal. Chap. xiv. 



CONTENTS. 



n 



l^ere folloto if^t (^TJaptm of tjc ^toelftj i^ooli. 



How Sir Launcelot in his madness took 
a sword and fought with a knight, 
and after lept into a bed. Chap. i. 

How Sir Launcelot was carried in an 
horse-litter, and how Sir Launcelot 
rescued Sir BHaunt his host. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Launcelot fought against a 
boar and slew him, and how he was 
hurt and brought to an hermitage. 

Chap, iii. 

How Sir Launcelot was known by dame 
Elaine, and was borne into a chamber, 
and after healed by the Sangreal. 

Chap. iv. 

How Sir Launcelot, after that he was 
whole and had his mind, he was 
ashamed, and how that Elaine desired 
a castle for him. Chap. v. 

How Sir Launcelot came into the Joy- 
ous Isle, and there he named himself 
le Chevalier Mai Fet. Chap, vi. 

Of a great tourneying in the Joyous Isle, 
and how Sir Percivale and Sir Ector 
came thither and Sir Percivale fought 
with him. Chap. vii. 



How each of them knew other, and of 

their courtesy; and how his brother 

Ector came unto him, and of their joy. 

Chap. viii. 

How Sir Bors and Sir Lionel came to 
king Brandegore, and how Sir Bors 
took his son Heline le Blank, and 
of Sir Launcelot. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Launcelot, with Sir Percivale 
and Sir Ector, came to the court, and 
of the great joy of him. Chap, x. 

How La Beale Isoud counselled Sir 
Tristi-am to go unto the court to the 
great feast of Pentecost. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Tristram departed unarmed 
and met with Sir Palamides, and how 
they smote each other, and how Pala- 
mides forbare him. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Tristram gat him harness of a 
knight which was hurt, and how he 
overthrew Sir Palamides. Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
fought long together, and after ac- 
corded ; and how Sir Tristram made 
him to be christened. Chap. xiv. 



I^ere folloto t^e (KJapters of t6e ©^JirtctntS 33oo]^. 



How at the Vigil of the feast of Pente- 
cost entered into the hall before king 
Arthur a damsel, and desired Sir 
Launcelot for to come and dub a 
knight, and how he went with her. 

Chap. i. 

How the letters were found written in 
the Siege Perilous, and of the mar- 
vellous adventure of the sword in a 
stone. Chap, ii. 

How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw 
out the sword, and how an old man 
brought in Galahad, Chap, iii. 

How the old man brought Galahad to 
the Siege Perilous, and set him therein, 
and how all the knights marvelled. 

Chap, iv. 

How king Arthur shewed the stone 



hoving on the water to Galahad, and 
how he drew out the sword. Chap. v. 

How king Arthur had all the knights 
together for to just in the meadow 
beside Winchester or they departed. 
Chap, vi. 

How the queen desired to see Galahad ; 
and after all the knights were re- 
plenished with the holy Sangreal, and 
how all they avowed the enquest of 
the same. Chap, vii. 

How great sorrow was made of the king 
and ladies for the departing of the 
knights, and how they departed. 

Chap, viii. 

How Galahad gat him a shield, and 
how they sped that presumed to take 
down the said shield. Chap, ix. 



i8 



CONTENTS. 



How Galahad departed with the shield, 
and how king Evelake had received 
this shield of Joseph of Aramathye. 
Chap. X. 

How Joseph made a cross on the white 
shield with his blood, and how Gala- 
had was by a monk brought to a tomb. 
Chap. xi. 

Of the marvel that Sir Galahad saw and 
heard in the tomb, and how he made 
Melias knight. Chap. xii. 

Of the adventure that Melias had, and 
how Galahad revenged him, and how 
Melias was carried into an abbey. 

Chap. xiii. 

How Galahad departed, and how he 
was commanded to go to the castle 
of maidens to destroy the wicked 
custom. Chap. xiv. 

How Sir Galahad fought with the 
knights of the castle, and destroyed 
the wicked custom. Chap. xv. 



How Sir Gawaine came to the abbey 
for to follow Galahad, and how he 
was shriven to a hermit. 

Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Galahad met with Sir Launce- 

lot and with Sir Percivale, and smote 

them down, and departed from them. 

Chap, xvii. 

How Sir Launcelot, half sleeping 
and half waking, saw a sick man 
borne in a litter, and how he was 
healed with the Sangreal. 

Chap, xviii. 

How a voice spake to Sir Launcelot, 
and how he found his horse and his 
helm borne away, and after went 
afoot. Chap. xix. 

How Sir Launcelot was shriven, and 

what sorrow he made ; and of good 

ensamples which were shewed to him. 

Chap. XX. 



^m foUoto tit ar^apttrs o! tfie JFourte0nt]& 33oolt. 



How Sir Percivale came to a recluse 
and asked counsel, and how she 
told him that she was his aunt. 

Chap. i. 

How Merlin likened the Round Table to 
the world, and how the knights that 
should achieve the Sangreal should 
be known. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Percivale came into a monas- 
tery where he found king Evelake, 
which was an old man. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Percivale saw many men 
of arms bearing a dead knight, and 
how he fought against them. 

Chap. iv. 

How a yeoman desired him to get again 
an horse, and how Sir Percivale's 
hackney was slain, and how he gat 
an horse. Chap, v. 



Of the great danger that Sir Percivale 
was in by his horse, and how he saw 
a serpent and a lion fight. 

Chap. vi. 
Of the vision that Sir Percivale saw, 
and how his vision was expounded, 
and of his lion. Chap. vii. 

How Sir Percivale saw a ship coming 
to him-ward, and how the lady of the 
ship told him of her disheritance. 

Chap. viii. 
How Sir Percivale promised her help, 
and how he required her of love, and 
how he was saved from the fiend. 

Chap. ix. 
How Sir Percivale for penance rove 
himself through the thigh ; and how 
she was known for the devil. 

Chap, X. 



CONTENTS. 



I^erc follofoctS tSc §iiimM\^ 23ook, iufiftj^ is of Sbir Hauncriot. 



How Sir Launcelot came into a chapel, 
where he found dead, in a white shirt, 
a man of reHgion of an hundred win- 
ter old. Chap. i. 

Of a dead man, how men would have 
hewen him, and it would not be ; and 
how Sir Launcelot took the hair of 
the dead man. Chap. ii. 

Of a vision that Sir Launcelot had, and 
how he told it to an hermit, and 
desired counsel of him. Chap. iii. 



How the hermit expounded to Sir 
Launcelot his vision, and told him 
that Sir Galahad was his son. 

Chap. iv. 

How Sir Launcelot justed with many 
knights, and he was taken. 

Chap. v. 

How Sir Launcelot told his vision unto 
a woman, and how she expounded it 
to him. Chap. vi. 



I^m folloto t^e ©fiaptcrs of fte gbixtcentfi 33ooife. 



How Sir Gawaine was nigh weary of 
the quest of Sangreal, and of his mar- 
vellous dream. Chap. i. 

Of the vision of Sir Ector, and how he 
justed with Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, 
his swoni brother. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector came 
to an hermitage to be confessed, and 
how they told to the hermit their 
visions. Chap. iii. 

How the hermit expounded their vision. 
Chap. iv. 

Of the good counsel that the hermit 
gave to them. Chap. v. 

How Sir Bors met with an hermit, and 
how he was confessed to him, and 
of his penance enjoined to him. 

Chap. vi. 

How Sir Bors was lodged with a lady, 
and how he took on him for to fight 
against a champion for her land. 

Chap. vii. 

Of a vision which Sir Bors had that 
night, and how he fought and over- 
came his adversary. Chap. viii. 

How the lady was restored to her lands 
by the battle of Sir Bors, and of 
his departing, and how he met Sir 
Lionel taken and beaten with thorns. 



and also of a maid which should have 
been dishonoured. Chap. ix. 

How Sir Bors left to rescue his brother, 
and rescued the damsel ; and how it 
was told him that Lionel was dead. 

Chap. X. 

How Sir Bors told his dream to a priest 
which he had dreamed, and of the 
counsel that the priest gave to him. 

Chap. xi. 

How the devil in a woman's likeness 
would have tempted Sir Bors, and 
how by God's grace he escaped. 

Chap. xii. 

Of the holy communication of an abbot 
to Sir Bors, and how the abbot coun- 
selled him. Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Bors met with his brother Sir 
Lionel, and how Sir Lionel would 
have slain Sir Bors. Chap. xiv. 

How Sir Colgrevance fought against 
Sir Lionel for to save Sir Bors, and 
how the hermit was slain. Chap. xv. 

How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, 
and how after he would have slain 
Sir Bors. Chap. xvi. 

How there came a voice which charged 
Sir Bors to touchnot him, and of a cloud 
that came between them. Chap. xvii. 



CONTENTS. 



I^crc folloio tSe (JTfiapters of tje SbebentccntJ 23ooli, 



How Sir Galahad fought at a tourna- 
ment, and how he was known of Sir 
Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maiis. 

Chap. i. 

How Sir Galahad rode with a damsel, 
and came to the ship whereas Sir Bors 
and Sir Percivale were in. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Galahad entered into the ship, 
and of a fair bed therein, with other 
marvellous things, and of a sword. 

Chap. iii. 

Of the marvels of the sword and of the 
scabbard. Chap. iv. 

How king Pelles was smitten through 
both thighs because he drew the sword, 
and other marvellous histories. 

Chap. V, 

How Solomon took David's sword by 
the counsel of his wife, and of other 
matters marvellous. Chap. vi. 

A wonderful tale of king Solomon and 
his wife. Chap. vii. 

How Galahad and his fellows came to 
a castle, and how they were fought 
withal, and how they slew their adver- 
saries, and other matters. 

Chap. viii. 

How the three knights, with Percivale's 
sister, came into the waste forest, and 
of an hart and four lions and other 
things. Chap, ix. 

How they were desired of a strange 
custom, the which they would not 
obey ; and how they fought and slew 
many knights. Chap. x. 

How Sir Percivale's sister bled a dish 
full of blood for to heal a lady; 
wherefore she died; and how that 
the body was put in a ship. 

Chap. xi. 

How Galahad and Percivale found in a 



castle many tombs of maidens that 
had bled to death. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship 
where Sir Percivale's sister lay dead ; 
and how he met with Sir Galahad 
his son. Chap. xiii. 

How a knight brought unto Sir Galahad 
an horse, and bad him come from his 
father Sir Launcelot. Chap, xiv. 

How Sir Launcelot was tofore the door 
of the chamber wherein the holy 
Sangreal was. Chap. xv. 

How Sir Launcelot had lain fourteen 
days and as many nights as a dead 
man, and other divers matters. 

Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Launcelot returned towards 
Logris, and of other adventures which 
he saw in the way. Chap. xvii. 

How Galahad came to king Mordrains, 
and of other matters and adventures. 
Chap, xviii. 

How Sir Percivale and Sir Bors met 
with Sir Galahad, and how they came 
to the castle of Carbonek, and other 
matters. Chap. xix. 

How Galahad and his fellows were fed 
of the holy Sangreal, and how our 
Lord appeared to them, and other 
things. Chap, xx. 

How Galahad anointed with the blood 
of the spear the maimed king, and of 
other adventures. Chap. xxi. 

How they were fed with the San- 
greal while they were in prison, and 
how Galahad was made king. 

Chap. xxii. 

Of the sorrow that Percivale and Bors 
made when Galahad was dead; and 
of Percivale how he died, and other 
matters. Chap, xxiii. 



CONTENTS. 



I^m folloto tSe Chapters o! tit lEfgStccntJ 33ooft. 



Of the joy of king Arthur and the queen 
had of the achievement of the San- 
greal ; and how Launcelot fell to his 
old love again. Chap. i. 

How the queen commanded Sir Launce- 
lot to avoid the court, and of the sor- 
row that Launcelot made. 

Chap. ii. 

How at a dinner that the queen made 
there was a knight poisoned, which 
Sir Mador laid on the queen. 

Chap. iii. 

How Sir Mador appeached the queen of 
treason, and there was no knight 
would fight for her at the first time. 
Chap. iv. 

How the queen required Sir Bors to 
fight for her, and how he granted 
upon condition ; and how he warned 
Sir Launcelot thereof. Chap. v. 

How at the day Sir Bors made him 
ready for to fight for the queen ; and 
when he should fight how another 
discharged him. Chap. vi. 

How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir 
Mador for the queen, and how he 
overcame Sir Mador and discharged 
the queen. Chap. vii. 

How the truth was known by the 
maiden of the lake, and of divers 
other matters. Chap viii. 

How Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and 
received a sleeve to bear upon his 
helm at the request of a maid. 

Chap. ix. 

How the tourney began at Winchester, 
and what knights were at the justs, 
and other tilings. Chap. x. 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine 
entered in the field against them of 
king Arthur's court, and how Launce- 
lot was hurt. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine 
departed out of the field, and in what 
jeopardy Launcelot was. Chap. xii. 



How Launcelot was brought to an 
hermit for to be healed of his wound, 
and of other matters. Chap. xiii. 

How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the 
lord of Astolat, and there 'had know- 
ledge that it was Sir Launcelot that 
bare the red sleeve. Chap. xiv. 

Of the sorrow that Sir Bors had for the 
hurt of Launcelot ; and of the anger 
that the queen had because Launcelot 
bore the sleeve. Chap. xv. 

How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and 
found him in the hermitage, and of 
the lamentation between them. 

Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Launcelot armed him to assay 
if he might bear arms, and how his 
wound burst out again. Chap, xvii. 

How Sir Bors returned and told tidings 
of Sir Launcelot, and of the tourney, 
and to whom the prize was given. 

Chap, xviii. 

Of the great lamentation of the fair 
maid of Astolat when Launcelot 
should depart, and how she died for 
his love. Chap. xix. 

How the corpse of the maid of Astolat 
arrived tofore king Arthur, and of the 
burying, and how Sir Launcelot of- 
fered the mass-penny. Chap. xx. 

Of great justs done all a Christmas, and 

of a great justs and tourney ordained 

by king Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot. 

Chap. xxi. 

How Launcelot after that he was hurt 
of a gentlewoman came to an hermit, 
and of other matters. Chap. xxii. 

How Sir Launcelot behaved him at 
the justs, and other men also. 

Chap, xxiii. 

How king Arthur marvelled much of the 
justing in the field, and how he rode 
and found Sir Launcelot. Chap. xxiv. 

How true love is likened to summer. 

Chap. XXV. 



CONTENTS. 



I^ere follolo tje ODj^apters of tjbe i^meteentfi 33ook. 



How queen Guenever rode on Maying 
with certain knights of the Round 
Table and clad all in green. 

Chap. i. 

How Sir Meliagraunce took the queen 
and all her knights, which were sore 
hurt in fighting. Chap. ii. 

How Sir Launcelot had word how the 
queen was taken, and how Sir Melia- 
graunce laid a bushment for Launce- 
lot. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain, 
and how Sir Launcelot rode in a 
cart for to rescue the queen. 

Chap. iv. 

How Sir Meliagraunce required forgive- 
ness of the queen, and how she ap- 
peased Sir Launcelot, and other mat- 
ters. Chap. V. 

How Sir Launcelot came in the night 
to the queen, and how Sir Melia- 
graunce appeached the queen of trea- 
son. Chap. vi. 

How Sir Launcelot answered for the 
queen, and waged battle against Sir 



Meliagraunce. And how Sir Launce- 
lot was taken in a trap. Chap. vii. 

How Sir Launcelot was delivered out of 

prison by a lady, and took a white 

courser, and came for to keep his day. 

Chap. viii. 

How Sir Launcelot came the same time 
that Sir Meliagraunce abode him in 
the field, and dressed him to battle. 
Chap. ix. 

How Sir Urre came into Arthur's court 
for to be healed of his wounds, and 
how king Arthur would begin to 
handle him. Chap. x. ' 

How king Arthur handled Sir Urre, and 
after him many other knights of the 
Round Table. Chap. xi. 

How Sir Launcelot was commanded by 
Arthur to handle his wounds, and 
anon he was all whole, and how they 
thanked God. Chap. xii. 

How there was a party made of an 
hundred knights against an hundred 
knights, and of other matters. 

Chap. xiii. 



I^cre follotoetft tjc 23oo]k of tje piteous l^istorg W(b is of 
t]&c i^ortc or i^eatft of limg ^rt&ur, antr tfte Cjbapters of 



How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred 
were busy upon Sir Gawaine for to 
disclose the love between Sir Launce- 
lot and queen Guenever. Chap. i. 

How Sir Agravaine disclosed their love 
to king Arthur, and how king Arthur 
gave them licence to take him. 

Chap. ii. 

How Sir Launcelot was espied in the 
queen's chamber, and how Sir Agra- 
vaine and Sir Mordred came with 
twelve knights to slay him. Chap. iii. 

How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgre- 
vance, and armed him in his harness, 



and after slew Sir AgraA'aine and 

twelve of his fellows. Chap. iv. 

How Sir Launcelot came to Sir Bors 

and told him how he had sped, and 

in what adventure he had been, and 

I how he escaped. Chap. v. 

I Of the counsel and advice which was 

j taken by Sir Launcelot and by his 

friends for to save the queen. 
I Chap. vi. 

i How Sir Mordred rode hastily to the 
I king to tell him of the affray and 
i death of Sir Agravaine and the other 
{ knights. Chap. vii. 



CONTENTS. 



23 



How Sir Launcelot and his kinsmen 
rescued the queen from the fire, and 
how he slew many knights. 

Chap. viii. 

Of the sorrow and lamentation of king 
Arthur for the death of his nephews 
and other good knights, and also for 
the queen his wife. Chap. ix. 

How king Arthur at the request of Sir 
Gawaine concluded to make war 
against Sir Launcelot, and laid siege 
to his castle called Joyous Card. 

Chap. X. 

Of the communication between king 
Arthur and Sir Launcelot, and how 
king Arthur reproved him. Chap. xi. 

How the cousins and kinsmen of Sir 
Launcelot excited him to go out to 
battle, and how they made them 
ready. Chap. xii. 

How Sir Gawaine justed and smote 
down Sir Lionel, and how Sir Launce- 
lot horsed king Arthur. Chap. xiii. 

How the pope sent down his bulls to 
make peace, and how Sir Launcelot 
brought the queen to king Arthur. 

Chap. xiv. 

Of the deliverance of the queen to the 
king by Sir Launcelot, and what lan- 



guage Sir Gawaine had to Sir Launce- 
lot. Chap. XV. 

Of the communication between Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Launcelot, with much 
other language. Chap. xvi. 

How Sir Launcelot departed from the 
king and from Joyous Gard over sea- 
ward, and what knights went with 
him. Chap. xvii. 

How Sir Launcelot passed over the sea, 
and how he made great lords of the 
knights that went with him. 

Chap, xviii. 

How king Arthur and Sir Gawaine 
made a great host ready to go over 
sea to make war on Sir Launcelot. 

Chap. xix. 

What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir 
Launcelot, and king Arthur laid siege 
to Benwick, and other matters. 

Chap. XX. 

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot 
did battle together, and how Sir Ga- 
waine was overthrown and hurt. 

Chap. xxi. 

Of the sorrow that king Arthur made 
for the war, and of another battle 
where also- Sir Gawaine had the 
worse. Chap. xxii. 



^txt follob tf)t ODI&apters of tje ^feentg-first ^ooh 



How Sir Mordred presumed and took 
on him to be king of England, and 
would have married the queen, his 
uncle's wife. Chap. i. 

How after that king Arthur had tidings 
he returned and came to Dover, where 
Sir Mordred met him to let his land- 
ing, and of the death of Sir Gawaine. 
Chap. ii. 

How after Sir Gawaine's ghost appeared 
to king Arthur, and warned him that 
he should not fight that day. 

Chap. iii. 

How by misadventure of an adder the 
battle began, where Mordred was 
slain, and Arthur hurt to the death. 
Chap. iv. 

How king Arthur commanded to cast 



his sword Excalibur into the water, 
and how he was delivered to ladies in 
a barge. Chap. v. 

How Sir Bedivere found him on the 
morrow dead in an hermitage, and 
how he abode there with the hermit. 
Chap. vi. 

Of the opinion of some men of the 
death of king Arthur ; and how queen 
Guenever made her a nun in Almes- 
bury. Chap. vii. 

How when Sir Launcelot heard of the 
death of king Arthur, and of Sir Ga- 
waine, and other matters, came into 
England. Chap. viii. 

How Sir Launcelot departed to seek the 
queen Guenever, and how he found 
her at Almesbuiy. Chap. ix. 



24 



CONTENTS. 



How Sir Launcelot came to the hermit- 
age where the archbishop of Canter- 
bury was, and how he took the habit 
on him. Chap. x. 

How Sir Launcelot went with his seven 
fellows to Almesbury, and found there 
queen Guenever dead, whom they 
brought to Glastonbury. Chap. xi. 



How Sir Launcelot began to sicken, 
and after died, whose body was borne 
to Joyous Gard for to be buried. 

Chap. xii. 

How Sir Ector found Sir Launcelot his 
brother dead. And how Constantine 
reigned next after Arthur, and of the 
end of this Book. Chap. xiii. 



1£af|)li(it tj&c ^abk* 



THE BOOK OF 

KING ARTHUR 

AND OF HIS NOBLE 

KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. 
mt jf^x%t ^oo'k of Byng art^ur. 



CHAP. I. 

First how Uther Pendragon sent for the 
duke of Cornwall and Igraine his wife, 
and of their departing suddenly again. 

IT befell in the days of Uther Pen- 
dragon, when he was king of all 
England, and so reigned, that there 
was a mighty duke in Cornwall that 
held war against him long time. And 
the duke was named the duke of Tin- 
tagil. And so by means king Uther 
sent for this duke, charging him to 
bring his wife with him, for she was 
called a fair lady, and a passing wise, 
and her name was called Igraine. So 
when the duke and his wife were come 
unto the king, by the means of great 
lords they were accorded both: the 
king liked and loved this lady well, and 
he made them great cheer out of mea- 
sure, and desired to have had her love. 
But she was a passing good woman, 
and would not assent unto the king. 
And then she told the duke her hus- 
band, and said, I suppose that we were 
sent for that I should be dishonoured, 
wherefore, husband, I counsel you that 
we depart from hence suddenly, that 
we may ride all night to our own 
castle. And in like wise as she said so 
they departed, that neither the king nor 



none of his council were ware of their 
departing. All so soon as king Uther 
knew of their departing so suddenly, 
he was wonderly wroth. Then he 
called to him his privy council, and told 
them of the sudden departing of the 
duke and his wife. Then they advised 
the king to send for the duke and his 
wife by a great charge : and if he will 
not come at your summons, then may 
ye do your best ; then have ye cause to 
make mighty war upon him. So that 
was done, and the messengers had their 
answers, and that was this, shortly, 
that neither he nor his wife would not 
come at him. Then was the king 
wonderly wroth. And then the king 
sent him plain word again, and bade him 
be ready and stuff him and garnish him, 
for within forty days he would fetch 
him out of the biggest castle that he 
hath. When the duke had this warning, 
anon he went and furnished and gar- 
nished two strong castles of his, of the 
which the one hight Tintagil and the 
other castle hight Terrabil. So his 
wife, dame Igraine, he put in the castle 
of Tintagil, and himself he put in the 
castle of Terrabil, the which had many 
issues and posterns out. Then in all 
haste came Uther with a great host, 
and laid a siege about the castle of 
Terrabil. And there he pight many 



26 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



pavilions, and there was great war 
made on both parties, and much people 
slain. Then for pure anger and for 
great love of fair Igraine the king 
Uther fell sick. So came to the king 
Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and 
asked the king why he was sick. I 
shall tell thee, said the king ; I am sick 
for anger and for love of fair Igraine, 
that I may not be whole. Well, my 
lord, said Sir Ulfius, I shall seek 
Merlin, and he shall do you remedy 
that your heart shall be pleased. So 
Ulfius departed, and by adventure he 
met Merlin in a beggar's array, and 
there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he 
sought? and he said he had little ado 
to tell him. Well, said Merlin, I know 
whom thou seekest, for thou seekest 
Merlin ; therefore seek no further, for I 
am he, and if king Uther will well 
reward me, and be sworn unto me to 
fulfil my desire, that shall be his honour 
and profit more than mine, for I shall 
cause him to have all his desire. All this 
will I undertake, said Ulfius, that there 
shall be nothing reasonable but thou 
shalt have thy desire. Well, said Merlin, 
he shall have his intent and desire. And 
therefore, said Merlin, ride on your 
way, for I will not be long behind. 



CHAP. II. 

How Uther Pendragon made war on the 
dulie of Cornwall, and how by the means 
of Merlin he made the duchess his queen. 

Then Ulfius was glad, and rode on 
more than a pace till that he came to 
Uther Pendragon, and told him he had 
met with Merlin. Where is he? said 
the king. Sir, said Ulfius, he will not 
dwell long. Therewithal Ulfius was 
ware where Merlin stood at the porch 
of the pavilion's door. And then Merlin 
was bound to come to the king. When 
king Uther saw him he said he was wel- 
come. Sir, said Merlin, I know all your 
heart every deal ; so ye will be sworn 
unto me, as ye be a true king anointed, 
to fulfil my desire, ye shall have your 
desire. Then the king was sworn upon 



the four Evangelists. Sir, said Merlin, 
this is my desire: after ye shall win 
Igraine ye shall have a child by her, 
and when that is born that it shall be 
delivered to me for to nourish there as 
I will have it ; for it shall be your 
worship and the child's avail, as mickle 
as the child is worth. I will well, said 
the king, as thou wilt have it. Now 
make you ready, said Merlin : this night 
shall you see Igraine in the castle of 
Tintagil, and ye shall be like the duke 
her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir 
Brastias, a knight of the duke's, and I 
will be like a knight that hight Sir 
Jordanus, a knight of the duke's. But 
wait ye make not many questions with 
her nor with her men, but say you are 
diseased, and so hie you to bed, and rise 
not on the mom till I come to you, 
for the castle of Tintagil is but ten 
mile hence. So this was done as they 
had devised. But the duke of Tintagil 
espied how the king rode from the siege 
of Terrabil, and therefore that night he 
issued out of the castle at a postern, for 
to have distressed the king's host. And 
so, through his own issue, the duke 
himself was slain or ever the king came 
at the castle of Tintagil. So after the 
death of the duke king Uther came to 
the castle, more than three hours after his 
death ; and there he found Igraine. And 
or day came Merlin came to the king 
and bade him make him ready, and so 
he kissed the lady Igraine and departed 
in all haste. But when the lady heard 
tell of the duke her husband, and by all 
record he was dead or ever king Uther 
came to her, then she marvelled who 
that might be that came to her in like- 
ness of her lord; so she mourned 
privily and held her peace. Then all 
the barons by one assent prayed the 
king of accord between the lady Igraine 
and him. The king gave them leave, 
for fain would he have been accorded : 
with her. So the king put all the trust 
in Ulfius to entreat between them ; so, 
by the entreat, at the last the king and 
she met together. Now will we do 
well, said Ulfius: our king is a lusty, 
knight and wifeless, and my lady 



THE BIRTH OF KING ARTHUR. 



27 



Igraine is a passing fair lady; it were 
great joy unto us all and it might please 
the king to make her his queen. Unto 
that they were all well accorded, and 
moved it to the king : and anon, like a 
lusty knight, he assented thereto %yith 
good will, and so in all haste they were 
married in a morning with great mirth 
and joy. 

And king Lot of Lothian and of 
Orkney then wedded Margawse that 
was Gawaine's mother : and king 
Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded 
Elaine. All this was done at the request 
of king Uther. And the third sister, 
Morgan le Fay, was put to school in a 
nunneiy : and there she learned so much 
that she was a great clerk of nigro- 
mancy. And after she was wedded to 
king Uriens of the land of Gore, that 
was Sir Ewaine's le Blanchemains 
father. 

CHAP. IIL 

Of the birth of king Arthur, and of his 
nojiriture ; and of the death of king 
Uther Pendragon ; and how Arthur 
was chosen king ; and of wonders and 
vtarvels of a sword that was taken out 
of a stone by the said Arthur. 

Then the time came that the queen 
Igraine should bear a child. So it fell 
within half a year, as king Uther 
was with his queen, he asked her, 
by the faith she owed unto him, whose 
was the child that should be born : 
then was she sore abashed to give 
answer. Dismay you not, said the king, 
but tell me the truth, and I shall love 
you the better, by the faith of my body. 
Sir, said she, I shall tell you the truth. 
The same night that my lord was dead, 
the hour of his death, as his knights re- 
cord, there came into my castle of Tin- 
tagil a man like my lord in speech and 
countenance, and two knights with him 
in likeness of his two knights Brastias 
and Jordans, and so I welcomed him as I 
ought to welcome my lord: and thus, as 
1 shall answer unto God, this child was 
begotten. That is truth, said the king, as 
you say, for it was I myself that came 



in the likeness, and therefore dismay you 
not, for I am father to the child. And 
there he told her all the cause how it 
was by Merlin's counsel. Then the 
Queen made great joy when she knew 
who was the father of her child. Soon 
came Merlin unto the king and said. 
Sir, ye must purvey you for the nourish- 
ing of your child. As thou wilt, said 
the king, be it. Well, said Merlin, I 
know a lord of yours in this land, that 
is a passing true man and a faithful, and 
he shall have the nourishing of your 
child, and his name is Sir Ector, and he 
is a lord of fair livelihood in many parts 
in England and Wales. And this lord, 
Sir Ector, let him be sent for, for to 
come and speak with you, and desire 
him yourself, as he loveth you, that he 
will put his own child to nourishing to 
another woman, and that his wife nour- 
ish yours. And when the child is born 
let it be delivered unto me at yonder 
privy postern unchristened. So like as 
Merlin devised it was done. And 
when Sir Ector was come he made 
affiance to the king for to nourish the 
child like as the king desired ; and there 
the king granted Sir Ector great re- 
wards. Then when the lady was de- 
livered, the king commanded two knights 
and two ladies to take the child bound 
in a cloth of gold, and that ye deliver him 
to what poor man ye meet at the postern 
gate of the castle. So the child was de- 
livered unto Merlin, and so he bare it 
forth unto Sir Ector, and made an holy 
man to christen him, and named him 
Arthur: and so Sir Ector's wife nour- 
ished him with her own breast. 

Then within two years king Uther 
fell sick of a great malady. And in the 
meanAvhile his enemies usurped upon 
him, and did a great battle upon his 
men, and slew many of his people. Sir, 
said Merlin, ye may not lie so as ye 
do, for ye must to the field, though ye 
ride on an horse-litter ; for ye shall 
never have the better of your enemies 
but if your person be there, and then 
shall ye have the victory. So it was 
done as Merlin had devised, and they 
carried the king forth in a horse-litter 



28 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



with a great host towards his enemies. 
And at St. Albans there met with the 
king a great host of the North. And 
that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias did 
great deeds of arms, and king Uther's 
men overcame the Northern battle, 
and slew many people, and put the 
remnant to flight. And then the king 
returned unto London, and made great 
joy of his victory. And then he 
fell passing sore sick, so that three 
days and three nights he was speech- 
less ; wherefore all the barons made 
great sorrow, and asked Merlin what 
counsel were best. There is none other 
remedy, said Merlin, but God will have 
his will. But look ye all barons be be- 
fore king Uther to-morn, and God and 
I shall make him to speak. So on the 
morn all the barons with Merlin came 
tofore the king : then Merlin said aloud 
unto king Uther, Sir, shall your son 
Arthur be king after your days, of this 
realm, with all the appurtenance ? 
Then Uther Pendragon turned him and 
said in hearing of them all, I give him 
God's blessing and mine, and bid him 
pray for my soul, and righteously and 
worshipfully that he claim the crown 
upon forfeiture of my blessing. And 
therewith he yielded up the ghost. 
And then was he interred as longed 
to a king. Wherefore the queen, fair 
Igraine, made great sorrow and all the 
barons. Then stood the realm in great 
jeopardy long while, for every lord 
that was mighty of men made him 
strong, and many wend to have been 
king. Then Merlin went to the arch- 
bishop of Canterbury, and counselled 
him for to send for all the lords of the 
realm, and all the gentlemen of arms, 
that they should to London come 
by Christmas upon pain of cursing : 
and for this cause — that Jesus, that was 
born on that night, that he would of 
his great mercy shew some miracle, as 
he was come to be king of mankind, 
for to shew some miracle who should 
be rightwise king of this realm. So 
the archbishop by the advice of Merlin 
sent for all the lords and gentlemen of 
arms, that they should come by Christ- 



mas even unto London. And many of 
them made them clean of their life, that 
their prayer might be the more accept- 
able unto God. So in the greatest church 
of London (whether it were Paul's or 
not, the French book maketh no men- 
tion) all the estates were long or 
day in the church for to pray. And 
when matins and the first mass was 
done, there was seen in the churchyard 
against the high altar a great stone four 
square, like unto a marble stone, and in 
the midst thereof was like an anvil of 
steel a foot on high, and therein stack 
a fair sword naked by the point, and 
letters there were written in gold about 
the sword that said thus : Whoso pulleth 
out this sword of this stone and anvil 
is rightwise king born of all England. 
Then the people marvelled, and told it 
to the archbishop. I command, said 
the archbishop, that ye keep you 
within your church, and pray unto God 
still ; that no man touch the sword till 
the high mass be all done. So when 
all masses were done all the lords went 
to behold the stone and the sword. 
And when they saw the scripture, some 
assayed — such as would have been king. 
But none might stir the sword nor move 
it. He is not here, said the arch- 
bishop, that shall achieve the sword, but 
doubt not God will make him known. 
But this is my counsel, said the arch- 
bishop, that we let purvey ten knights, 
men of good fame, and they to keep 
this sword. So it was ordained, and 
then there was made a cry, that every 
man should assay that would, for to 
win the sword. And upon New Year's 
Day the barons let make a justs and a 
tournament, that all knights that would 
just or tourney there might play : and 
all this was ordained for to keep the 
lords together and the commons, for 
the archbishop trusted that God would 
make him known that should win the 
sword. So upon New Year's Day when 
the service was done the barons rode 
to the field, some to just, and some to 
tourney; and so it happed that Sir Ector, 
that had great livelihood about London, 
rode unto the justs, and with him rode 



CHAP. IV. HOW KING ARTHUR PULLED OUT THE SWORD. 



29 



Sir Kay his son and young Arthur that 
was his nourished brother, and Sir Kay 
was made knight at Allhallowmas afore. 
So as they rode to the justs-ward Sir 
Kay had lost his sword, for he had left 
it at his father's lodging, and so he prayed 
young Arthur to ride for his sword. I 
will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after 
the sword ; and when he came home 
the lady and all were out to see 
the justing. Then was Arthur wroth, 
and said to himself, I will ride to the 
churchyard and take the sword with 
me that sticketh in the stone, for my 
brother Sir Kay shall not be without 
a sword this day. So when he came to 
the churchyard Sir Arthur alighted, 
and tied his horse to the stile, and so 
he went to the tent, and found no 
knights there, for they were at the 
justing; and so he handled the sword 
by the handles, and lightly and fiercely 
pulled it out of the stone, and took 
his horse and rode his way till he came 
to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered 
him the sword. And as soon as Sir 
Kay saw the sword he wist well it was 
the sword of the stone, and so he rode 
to his father Sir Ector, and said : Sir, lo 
here is the sword of the stone; where- 
fore I must be king of this land. When 
Sir Ector beheld the sword he returned 
again and came to the church, and there 
they alighted all three and went into 
the church, and anon he made Sir Kay 
to swear upon a book how he came to 
that sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by my 
brother Arthur, for he brought it to 
me. How gat ye this sword? said 
Sir Ector to Arthur. Sir, I will tell 
you: when I came home for my bro- 
ther's sword, I found nobody at home 
to deliver me his sword, and so I 
thought my brother Sir Kay should 
not be swordless, and so I came hither 
eagerly and pulled it out of the stone 
without any pain. Found ye any knights 
about this sword ? said Sir Ector. Nay, 
said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector to 
Arthur, I understand ye must be king 
of this land. Wherefore I, said Arthur, 
and for what cause? Sir, said Ector, 
for God will have it so : for there should 



never man have drawn out this sword 
but he that shall be rightwise king of 
this land. Now let me see whether ye 
can put the sword there as it was, and 
pull it out again. That is no mastery, 
said Arthur : and so he put it into the 
stone. Therewith Sir Ector assayed to 
pull out the sword and failed. 

CHAP. IV. 

How king Arthur pulled out the sword 
divers times. 

Now assay, said Sir Ector to Sir 
Kay. And anon he pulled at the sword 
with all his might, but it would not be. 
Now shall ye assay, said Sir Ector to 
Arthur. I will well, said Arthur, and 
pulled it out easily. And therewithal 
Sir Ector kneeled down to the earth, 
and Sir Kay. Alas, said Arthur, mine 
own dear father and brother, why kneel 
ye to me. Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, 
it is not so : I was never your father 
nor of your blood, but I wote well ye 
are of an higher blood than I wend ye 
were. And then Sir Ector told him all, 
how he was betaken him for to nourish 
him, and by whose commandment, 
and by Merlin's deliverance. Then 
Arthur made great dole when he un- 
derstood that Sir Ector was not his 
father. Sir, said Ector unto Arthur, 
will ye be my good and gracious lord 
when ye are king? Else were I to 
blame, said Arthur, for ye are the man 
in the world that I am most beholding 
to, and my good lady and mother your 
wife, that as well as her_ own hath 
fostered me and kept. Anci if ever it 
be God's will that I be king, as ye say, 
ye shall desire of me what I may do, 
and I shall not fail you : God forbid I 
should fail you. Sir, said Sir Ector, 
I will ask no more of you but that you 
will make my son, your foster-brother 
Sir Kay, seneschal of all your lands. 
That shall be done, said Arthur, and 
more by the faith of my body, that 
never man shall have that office but he 
while he and I live. Therewithal they 
went unto the archbishop, and told him 
how the sword was achieved, and by 



V 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



whom. And on Twelfth Day all the 
barons came thither, and to assay to 
take the sword who that would assay. 
But there afore them all there might 
none take it out but Arthur, wherefore 
there were many lords wroth, and said 
it was great shame unto them all and 
the realm, to be over governed with a 
boy of no high blood born. And so 
they fell out at that time that it was 
put off till Candlemas, and then all the 
barons should meet there again. But 
always the ten knights were ordained 
to watch the sword day and night, and 
so they set a pavilion over the stone 
and the sword, and five always watched. 
So at Candlemas many more great lords 
came thither for to have won the sword, 
but there might none prevail. And 
right as Arthur did at Christmas he did 
at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword 
easily, whereof the barons were sore 
aggrieved, and put it off in delay till the 
high feast of Easter. And as Arthur 
sped afore, so did he at Easter: yet 
there were some of the great lords had 
indignation that Arthur should be their 
king, and put it off in a delay till the 
feast of Pentecost. Then the arch- 
bishop of Canterbury by Merlin's pro- 
vidence let purvey then of the best 
knights that they might get, and such 
knights as king Uther Pendragon loved 
best and most trusted in his days, and 
such knights were put about Arthur, as 
Sir Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, Sir 
Ulfius, Sir Brastias. All these, with 
many other, were always about Arthur, 
day and night, till the feast of Pente- 
cost. 

CHAP. V. 

How King Arthur was crowned, and bow 
he made officers. 

And at the feast of Pentecost all 
manner of men assayed to pull at the 
sword that would assay, but none 
might prevail but Arthur ; and he pulled 
it out afore all the lords and commons 
that were there, wherefore all the com- 
mons cried at once, We will have 
Arthur unto our king ; we will put him 



no more in delay, for we all see that it 
is God's will that he sha-ll be our king, 
and who that holdeth against it we will 
slay him. And therewithal they kneeled 
down all at once, both rich and poor, 
and cried Arthur mercy, because they 
had delayed him so long. And Arthur 
forgave them, and took the sword be- 
tween both his hands, and offered it up- 
on the altar where the archbishop was, 
and so was he made knight of the best 
man that was there. And so anon was 
the coronation made, and there was he 
sworn unto his lords and the commons 
for to be a true king, to stand with true 
justice from thenceforth the days of this 
life. Also then he made all lords that 
held of the crown to come in, and to do 
service as they ought to do. And many 
complaints were made unto Sir Arthur 
of great wrongs that were done since 
the death of king Uther, of many lands 
that were bereaved lords, knights, 
ladies, and gentlemen. Wherefore king 
Arthur made the lands to be given again 
unto them that owned them. When 
this was done that the king had sta- 
blished all the countries about London, 
then he let make Sir Kay seneschal of 
England; and Sir Baudwin of Britain 
was made constable ; and Sir Ulfius was 
made chamberlain ; and Sir Brastias 
was made warden to wait upon the 
north from Trent forwards, for it was 
that time for the most part the king's 
enemies. But within few years after, 
Arthur won all the north, Scotland, 
and all that were under their obeisance. 
Also Wales, a part of it held against 
Arthur, but he overcame them all as 
he did the remnant through the noble 
prowess of himself and his knights of 
the Round Table. 

CHAP. VI. 

How king Arthur held in Wales at a 
Pentecost a great feast, and what kings 
and lords came to his feast. 

Then the king removed into Wales, 
and let cry a great feast, that it should 
be holden at Pentecost, after the incoro- 
nation of him at the city of Carlion. 



HOW KING ARTHUR HELD A GREAT FEAST. 



31 



Unto the feast came king Lot of Lothian 
and of Orkney with five hundred knights 
with him. Also there came to the feast 
king Uriens of Gore with four hundred 
knights with him. Also there came to 
that feast king Nentres of Garloth with 
seven hundred knights with him. Also 
there came to the feast the king of Scot- 
land with six hundred knights with him, 
and he was but a young man. Also 
there came to the feast a king that was 
called the king with the hundred knights, 
but he and his men was passing well be- 
seen at all points. Also there came the 
king of Carados with five hundred 
knighls. And king Arthur was glad of 
their coming, for he wend that all the 
kings and knights had come for great 
love, and for to have done him worship 
at his feast, wherefore the king made 
great joy, and sent the kings and knights 
great presents. But the kings would 
none receive, but rebuked the messen- 
gers shamefully, and said they had no 
joy to receive no gifts of a beardless boy 
that was come of low blood, and sent 
him word they would have none of his 
gifts, but that they were come to give 
him gifts with hard swords betwixt the 
neck and the shoulders : and therefore 
they came thither, so they told to the mes- 
sengers plainly, for it was great shame 
to all them to see such a boy to have 
a rule of so noble a realm as this land 
was. "With this answer the messengers 
departed, and told to king Arthur this 
answer. Wherefore, by the advice of 
his barons, he took him to a strong 
tower with five hundred good men with 
him : and all the kings aforesaid in 
a manner laid a siege tofore him, but 
king Arthur was well victualled. And 
within fifteen days there came Merlin 
among them into the city of Carlion. 
Then all the kings were passing glad of 
Merlin, and asked him, For what cause 
is that boy Arthur made your king? 
Sirs, said Merlin, I shall tell you the 
cause. For he is king Uther Pendragon's 
son, bom in wedlock of Igraine, the 
duke's wife of Tintagil. After the death 
of the duke thirteen days king Uther 
Pendragon wedded fair Igraine. And 



who saith nay, he shall be king, and 
overcome all his enemies ; and, or 
he die, he shall be long king of all 
England, and have under his obeisance 
Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more 
realms than I will now rehearse. Some 
of the kings had marvel of Merlin's 
words, and deemed well that it should be 
as he said: and some of them laughed him 
to scorn, as king Lot : and more other 
called him a witch. But then were they 
accorded with Merlin that king Arthur 
should come out and speak with the 
kings, and to come safe and go safe, 
such assurance was there made. So 
Merlin went unto king Arthur and told 
him how he had done, and bade him 
fear not, but come out boldly and 
speak with them, and spare them not, 
but answer them as their king and 
chieftain, for ye shall overcome them 
all whether they will or nill. 

CHAP. VII. 

Of the first war that Ung Arthiir had, and 
how he won the field. 

Then king Arthur came out of his 
tower, and had under his gown a 
jesseraunt of double mail, and there 
went with him the archbishop of Can- 
terbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, and 
Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias ; these were 
the men of most worship that were 
with him. And when they w^ere met 
there was no meekness, but stout words 
on both sides : but always king Arthur 
answered them, and said that he would 
make them to bow and he lived. 
Wherefore they departed with wrath, 
and king Arthur bade keep them well, 
and they bade the king keep him well. 
So the king returned him to the tower 
again, and armed him and all his 
knights. What will ye do ? said Merlin 
to the kings ; ye were better for to stint, 
for ye shall not here prevail though ye 
were ten so many. Be we well advised 
to be afraid of a dream-reader? said 
king Lot. With that Merlin vanished 
away, and came to king Arthur, and 
bade him set on them fiercely ; and in 
the meanwhile there were three hundred 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



good men of the best that were with 
the kings that went straight unto king 
Arthur, and that comforted him greatly. 
Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not 
with the sword that ye had by miracle, 
till that ye see ye go unto the worse ; 
then draw it out and do your best. So 
forthwithal king Arthur set upon them 
in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin, 
Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew on the 
right hand and on the left hand that it 
was marvellous ; and always king Arthur 
on horseback laid on with a sword, and 
did marvellous deeds of arms, that many 
of the kings had great joy of his deeds 
and hardiness. Then king Lot brake out 
on the back side, and the king with the 
hundred knights, and king Carados, 
and set on Arthur fiercely behind him. 
With that Sir Arthur turned with his 
knights and smote behind and before, 
and ever Sir Arthur was in the foremost 
press till his horse was slain underneath 
him. And therewith king Lot smote 
down king Arthur. With that his four 
knights received him, and set him on 
horseback. Then he drew his sword 
Excalibur, but it was so bright in his 
enemies' eyes, that it gave light like 
thirty torches. And therewith he put 
them on back, and slew much people. 
And then the commons of Carlion arose 
with clubs and staves, and slew many 
knights ; but all the kings held them 
together with their knights that were 
left alive, and so fled and departed. 
And Merlin came unto Arthur, and 
counselled him to follow them no farther. 



CHAP. VIII. 

How Merlin counselled king Arthur to 
send for king Ban and king Bors, and 
of their counsel taken for the war. 

So after the feast and tourney king 
Arthur drew him unto London, and so 
by the counsel of Merlin the king let call 
his barons to council. For Merlin had 
told the king that the six kings that 
made war upon him would in all haste 
be awroke on him and on his lands. 
Wherefore the king asked counsel at 



them all. They could no counsel give, 
but said they were big enough. Ye say 
well, said Arthur ; I thank you for 
your good courage ; but will ye all that 
love me speak with Merlin : ye know 
well that he hath done much for me, 
and he knoweth many things, and when 
he is afore you I would that ye prayed 
him heartily of his best advice. All the 
barons said they would pray him and 
desire him. So Merlin was sent for, 
and fair desired of all the barons to 
give them best counsel. I shall say 
you, said Merlin, I warn you all, your 
enemies are passing strong for you, and 
they are good men of arms as be on live, 
and by this time they have gotten to 
them four kings more, and a mighty 
duke ; and unless that our king have 
more chivalry with him than he may 
make within the bounds of his own 
realm, and he fight with them in battle 
he shall be overcome and slain. 
What were best to do in this cause ? 
said all the barons. I shall tell you, 
said Merlin, mine advice : There are 
two brethren beyond the sea, and they 
be kings both, and marvellous good 
men of their hands ; and that one hight 
king Ban of Benwick, and that other 
hight king Bors of Gaul, that is France. 
And on these two kings warreth a 
mighty man of men, the king Claudas, 
and striveth with them for a castle ; and 
great war is betwixt them : but this 
Claudas is so mighty of goods, whereof 
he getteth good knights, that he putteth 
these two kings the most part to 
the worse. Wherefore this is my coun- 
sel, that our king and sovereign lord 
send unto the kings Ban and Bors by 
two trusty knights with letters well de- 
vised, that if they will come and see 
king Arthur and his court, and so help 
him in his wars, that he will be sworn 
unto them to help them in their wars 
against king Claudas. Now what say 
ye unto this counsel? said Merlin. This 
is well counselled, said the king and all 
the barons. Right so in all haste there 
were ordained to go two knights on the 
message unto the two kings. So were 
there made letters in the pleasant wise 



OF KING BAN AND KING BORS. 



53 



according unto king Arthur's desire. 
Ulfius and Brastias were made the mes- 
sengers, and rode forth well horsed and 
well armed, and as the guise was that 
time, and so passed the sea and rode 
toward the city of Benwick. And 
there besides were eight knights who 
espied them, and at a straight passage 
they met with Ulfius and Brastias, and 
would have taken them prisoners. So 
they prayed them that they might pass, 
for they were messengers unto king 
Ban and Bors sent from king Arthur. 
Therefore, said the eight knights, ye shall 
die, or be prisoners, for we be knights 
of king Claudas, And therewith two of 
them dressed their spears, and Ulfius 
and Brastias dressed their spears, and 
ran together with great might, and 
Claudas's knights brake their spears, 
and theirs to-held, and bare the two 
knights out of their saddles to the 
earth, and so left them lying, and rode 
their ways. And the other six knights 
rode afore to a passage to meet with 
them again, and so Ulfius and Brastias 
smote other two down, and so passed 
on their ways. And at the fourth pas- 
sage there met two for two, and both 
were laid to the earth : so there was 
none of the eight knights but he was 
sore hurt or bruised. And when they 
came to Benwick it fortuned there were 
both kings Ban and Bors. And when 
it was told the kings that there were 
come messengers, there were sent to 
them two knights of worship, the one 
hight Lionses, lord of the country of 
Payarne, and Sir Phariance a worship- 
ful knight. Anon they asked from 
whence they came, and they said from 
king Arthur king of England : so they 
took them in their arms, and made 
great joy each of other. But anon as 
the two kings wist they were messen- 
gers of Arthur's, there was made no 
tarrying, but forthwith they spake with 
the knights and welcomed them in the 
faithfuUest wise, and said they were 
most welcome unto them before all the 
kings living. And therewith they kissed 
the letters and delivered them ; and 
when Ban and Bors understood the' 



letters, then M^ere they more welcome 
than they were before. And after the 
haste of the letters they gave them this 
answer, that they would fulfil the desire 
of king Arthur's writing, and let Ulfius 
and Brastias tarry there as long as 
they would, they should havi such 
cheer as might be made them in those 
marches. Then Ulfius and Brastias told 
the king of the adventure at their pas- 
sages of the eight knights. Ha, ha, said 
Ban and Bors, they were my good 
friends. I would I had wist of them, 
they should not have escaped so. So 
Ulfius and Brastias had good cheer and 
great gifts as much as they might bear 
away, and had their answer by mouth 
and by writing, that those two kings 
would come unto Arthur in all the 
haste that they might. 

So the two knights rode on afore, 
and passed the sea, and came to their 
lord and told him how they had sped, 
whereof king Arthur was passing glad. 
At what time suppose ye the two kings 
will be here ? Sir, said they, afore AU- 
hallowmas. Then the king let purvey 
for a great feast, and let cry a great 
justs. And by AUhallowmas the two 
kings were come over the sea with three 
hundred knights well arrayed both for 
the peace and for the war. And king 
Arthur met with them ten mile out of 
London, and there was great joy as 
could be thought or made. And on 
AUhallowmas at the great feast sat in 
the hall the three kings, and Sir Kay 
the seneschal served in the hall, and 
Sir Lucas the butler, that was duke 
Corneus's son, and Sir Griflet that was 
the son of Cardol, these three knights 
had the rule of all the service that 
served the kings. And anon as they 
had washed and risen, all knights that 
would just made them ready. By then 
they were ready on horseback there were 
seven hundred knights. And Arthur, 
Ban, and Bors, with the archbishop of 
Canterbury, and Sir Ector, Kay's father, 
they were in a place covered with cloth 
of gold, like an hall, with ladies and 
gentlewomen, for to behold who did 
best, and thereon to give judgment. 



34 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. IX. 

Of a great tourney made by king Arthur 
and the two kings Ban and Bors, and 
how they went over the Sea. 

And king Arthur and the two kings 
let part the seven hundr-^id knights in 
two parties. And there were three hun- 
dred knights of the reahn of Benwick 
and of Gaul turned on the other side. 
Then they dressed their shields, and 
began to couch their spears many good 
knights. So Ginflet was the first 
that met with a knight, one Ladinas, 
and they met so eagerly that all men 
had wonder; and they so fought that 
their shields fell to pieces, and horse 
and man fell to the earth, and both the 
French knight and the English knight 
lay so long, that all men wend they 
had been dead. When Lucas the but- 
i ler saw Griflet so lie, he horsed him 
again anon, and they two did marvel- 
lous deeds of arms with many bachelors. 
Also Sir Kay came out of an embush- 
ment with five knights with him, and 
they six smote other six down. But 
Sir Kay did that day marvellous deeds 
of arms, that there was none did so 
well as he that day. Then there came 
Ladinas and Grastian, two knights of 
France, and did passing well, that all 
men praised them. Then came there 
Sir Piacidas, a good knight, and met 
with Sir Kay and smote him down, 
horse and man, wherefore Sir Griflet 
was wroth, and met with Sir Piacidas 
so hard that horse and .man fell to the 
earth. But when the five knights wist 
that Sir Kay had a fall they were wroth 
out of wit, and therewith each of them 
five bare down a knight. When king 
Arthur and the two kings saw them 
begin to wax wroth on both parts, they 
leapt on small hackneys, and let cry 
that all men should depart unto their 
lodging. And so they went home and 
unarmed them, and so to even-song and 
supper. And after the three kings went 
into a garden, and gave the pri^e unto 
Sir Kay, and to Lucas the butler, and 
unto Sir Griflet. And then they went unto 



council, and with them Gwenbaus, the 
brother unto Sir Ban and Bors, a wise 
clerk, and thither went Ulfius, and 
Brastias, and Merlin. And after they 
had been in council they went unto bed. 
And on the morn they heard mass, and 
to dinner, and so to their council, and 
made many arguments what were best 
to do. At the last they were con- 
cluded, that Merlin should go with 
a token of king Ban, (and that was a 
ring,) unto his men and king Bors's : and 
Gracian and Piacidas should go again 
and keep their castles and their coun- 
tries, as king Ban of Benwick and king i 
Bors of Gaul had ordained them ; and 
so they passed the sea and came to 
Benwick. And when the people saw 
king Ban's ring, and Gracian and Pia- 
cidas, they were glad, and asked how 
the kings fared, and made great joy 
of their welfare and according. And 
according unto the sovereign lords' 
desire, the men of war made them ready 
in all haste possible, so that they were 
fifteen thousand on horse and foot, and 
they had great plenty of victual with 
them by Merlin's provision. But Gra- 
cian and Piacidas were left to furnish 
and garnish the castles for dread of 
king Claudas. Right so Merlin passed 
the sea, well victualled both by water 
and by land. And when he came to 
the sea he sent home the footmen 
again, and took no more with him but 
ten thousand men on horseback, the 
most part men of arms, and so shipped 
and passed the sea into England, and 
landed at Dover : and through the wit 
of Merlin he led the host north- 
ward, the priviest way that could be 
thought, unto the forest of Bedegraine, 
and there in a valley he lodged them 
secretly. 

Then rode Merlin unto king Arthur j 
and the two kings and told them how 
he had sped, whereof they had great 
marvel, that man on earth might speed 
so soon, and go and come. So Merlin 
told them ten thousand were in the 
forest of Bedegraine, well armed at all 
points. Then was there no more to 
say, but to horseback went all the host 



HOW ELEVEN KINGS WARRED WITH ARTHUR. 



35 



as Arthur had afore purveyed. So 
with twenty thousand he passed by 
night and day. But there was made 
such an ordinance afore by Merlin, that 
there should no man of war ride nor go 
in no countiy on this side Trent water, 
but if he had a token from king Arthur, 
where through the king's enemies durst 
not ride, as Siey did tofore, to espy. 

CHAP. X. 

How eleven kings gathered a great host 
against king Arthur. 

And so within a little space the three 
kings came unto the castle of Bede- 
graine, and found there a passing fair 
fellowship and well beseen, whereof 
they had great joy, and victual they 
wanted none. 

This was the cause of the northern 
host : that they were reared for the 
despite and rebuke that the six kings 
had at Carlion, And those six kings 
by their means gat unto them five other 
kings, and thus they began to gather 
their people, and how they sware that 
for weal nor woe they should not 
leave each other till they had destroyed 
Arthur. And then they made an oath. 
The first that began the oath was the 
duke of Cambenet, that he would bring 
with him five thousand men of arms, 
the which were ready on horseback. 
Then sware king Brandegoris of Strang- 
gore that he would bring five thousand 
men of arms on horseback. Then sware 
king Clariance of Northumberland that 
he would bring three thousand men of 
arms. Then sware the king of the 
hundred knights, that was a passing 
i good man and a young, that he would 
bring four thousand men on horseback. 
Then there swore king Lot, a passing 
good knight and Sir Gawaine's father, 
that he would bring five thousand men 
of arms on horseback. Also there swore 
king Urience, that was Sir Gawaine's 
father, of the land of Gore, and he 
would bring six thousand men of arms 
on horseback. Also there swore king 
Idres of Cornwall, that he would bring 



five thousand men of arms on horse- 
back. Also there swore king Cradel- 
mas to bring five thousand men of arms 
on horseback. Also there swore king 
Agwisance of Ireland, to bring five thou- 
sand men of arms on horseback. Also 
there swore king Nentres to bring five 
thousand men of arms on horseback. 
Also there swore king Carados to bring 
five thousand men of arms on horse- 
back. So their whole host was of clean 
men of arms on horseback fifty thou- 
sand; and afoot ten thousand of good 
mens' bodies. Then were they soon 
ready and mounted upon horse, and 
sent forth their fore-riders : for these 
eleven kings in their way laid siege 
unto the castle of Bedegraine; and so 
they departed and drew toward Arthur, 
and left few to abide at the siege, for the 
castle of Bedegraine was holden of king 
Arthur, and the men that were therein 
were Arthur's. 



CHAP XL 

Of a dream of the king with the hundred 
knights. 

So by Merlin's advice there were sent 
fore-riders to skim the country, and 
they met with the fore-riders of the 
north, and made them to tell which 
way the host came, and then they told 
it to Arthur, and by king Ban and Bors's 
counsel they let burn and destroy all 
the country afore them where they 
should ride. 

The king with the hundred knights 
dreamed a wonder dream two nights afore 
the battle, that there blew a great wind, 
and blew down their castles and their 
towns, and after that came a water and 
bare it all away. All that heard of the 
dream said it was a token of great battle. 
Then, by counsel of Merlin, when they 
wist which way the eleven kings would 
ride and lodge that night, at midnight 
they set upon them, as they were in their 
pavilions. But the scout-watch by their 
host cried. Lords ! at arms ! for here be 
your enemies at your hand ! 



36 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. XII. 

How the eleven kings with their host 
fought against Arthur and his host, afid 
ma?iy great feats of the war. 

Then king Arthur and king Ban and 
king Bors, with their good and trusty 
knights, set on them so fiercely that 
they made them overthrow their pavi- 
lions on their heads; but the eleven 
kings by manly prowess of arms took 
a fair field. But there was slain that 
morrow tide ten thousand good men's 
bodies. And so they had afore them 
a strong passage, yet were they fifty 
thousand of hardy men. Then it drew 
toward day. Now shall ye do by 
mine advice, said Merlin imto the three 
kings : I would that king Ban and king 
Bors with their fellowship of ten thou- 
sand men were put in a wood here 
beside in an embushment, and keep 
them privy, and that they be laid or the 
light of the day come, and that they stir 
nor till ye and your knights have fought 
with them long : and when it is day- 
light dress your battle even afore them 
and the passage, that they may see all 
your host, for then they will be the 
more hardy when they see you but 
about twenty thousand, and be the 
gladder to suffer you and your host to 
come over the passage. All the three 
kings and the whole barons said that 
Merlin said passingly well, and it was 
done anon as Merlin had devised. So on 
the morn, when either host saw other, 
the host of the north was well com- 
forted. Then to Ulfius and Brastias 
were delivered three thousand men of 
arms, and they set on them fiercely in 
the passage, and slew on the right hand 
and on the left hand, that it was wonder 
to tell. When that the eleven knights saw 
that there was so few a fellowship did 
such deeds of arms, they were ashamed, 
and set on them again fiercely, and there 
was Sir Ulfius's horse slain under him, 
but he did marvellously well on foot. 
But the duke Eustace of Cambenet, and 
king Clariance of Northumberland, were 
alway grievous on Sir Ulfius. When 



Brastias saw his fellow fared so withal, 
he smote the duke with a spear, that 
horse and man fell down. That saw 
king Clariance, and returned to Brastias, 
and either smote other so that horse 
and man went to the earth, and so they 
lay long astonied, and their horses' knees 
brast to the hard bone. Then came 
Sir Kay the seneschal with six fellows 
with him, and did passing well. \\'ith 
that came the eleven kings, and there 
was Griflet put to the earth, horse 
and man, and Lucas the butler, horse 
and man, by king Brandegoris and king 
Idres and king Agwisance. Then waxed 
the m.eddle passing hard on both parties, i 
W^hen Sir Kay saw Griflet on foot he ' 
rode on king Nentres and smote him 
down, and led his horse to Sir Griflet 
and horsed him again. Also Sir Kay 
with the same spear smote down king 
Lot, and hurt him passing sore. That 
saw the king with the hundred knights, 
and ran unto Sir Kay and smote him 
down and took his horse, and gave him 
to king Lot, whereof he said gramercy. 
When Sir Griflet saw Sir Kay and Lucas 
the butler on foot, he took a sharp spear 
great and square and rode to Pinel, a 
good man of arms, and smote horse and 
man down, and then he took his horse 
and gave him unto Sir Kay. When king 
Lot saw king Nentres on foot he ran unto 
Melot de la Roche and smote him down 
horse and man, and gave king Nentres 
the horse and horsed him again. Also 
the king of the hundred knights saw 
king Idres on foot ; then he ran unto 
Gwimiart de Bloi, and smote him down 
horse and man, and gave king Idres the 
horse and horsed him again ; and king 
Lot smote down Clariance de la Forest 
Savage, and gave the horse unto duke 
Eustace. And so when they had horsed 
the kings again they drew them all 
eleven kings together, and said they 
would be revenged of the damage they 
had taken that day. The meanwhile 
came in Sir Ector with an eager counte- 
nance, and found Ulfius and Brastias 
on foot in great peril of death, that 
were foul bruised under the horse feet. 
Then king Arthur as a lion ran unto 



YET OF THE SAME BA TTLE. 



37 



king Cradelment of North Wales, and 
smote him through the left side, that 
the horse and the king fell down ; and 
then he took the horse by the rein and 
led him unto Ulfius, and said, Have this 
horse, mine old friend, for great need 
hast thou of horse. Gramercy, said 
Ulfius. Then Sir Arthur did so mar- 
vellously in arms that all men had 
wonder. When the king with the hun- 
dred knights saw king Cradelment on 
foot he ran unto Sir Ector, that was 
well horsed, Sir Kay's father, and smote 
horse and man down, and gave the horse 
unto the king and horsed him again. 
And when king Arthur saw the king 
ride on Sir Ector's horse he w^as wroth, 
and with his sword he smote the king 
on the helm, that a quarter of the helm 
and shield fell down, and the sword 
carved down unto the horse's neck, 
and so the king and the horse fell down 
to the ground. Then Sir Kay came to 
Sir Morganore, seneschal with the king 
of the hundred knights, and smote him 
down horse and man, and led the horse 
unto his father Sir Ector : then Sir Ector 
ran unto a knight, hight Lardans, and 
smote horse and man down, and led the 
horse unto Sir Brastias that great need 
had of an horse, and was greatly bruised. 
When Brastias beheld Lucas the butler, 
that lay like a dead man under the 
horse feet, and ever Sir Griflet did mar- 
vellously for to rescue him, and there 
were aiv/ays fourteen knights on Sir 
Lucas, then Brastias smote one of them 
on the helm that it went to the teeth, 
and he rode to another and smote him 
that the arm flew into the field. Then 
he went to the third, and smote him on 
the shoulder that shoulder and arm flew 
in the field. And when Griflet saw 
rescues he smote a knight on the tem- 
ples, that head and helm went to the 
earth, and Griflet took the horse of 
that knight and led him unto Sir Lucas, 
and bad him mount upon the horse 
and revenge his hurts. For Brastias 
had slain a knicht tofore, and horsed 
Griflet. 



CHAB. XIIL 

Yet cf the same battle. 

Then Lucas saw king Agwnsance, 
that late had slain Moris de la Roche, 
and Lucas ran to him with a short 
spear that was great, that he gave him 
such a fall that the horse fell down to 
the earth. Also Lucas found there on 
foot Bloias de la Flandres and Sir 
Gwinas, two hardy knights, and in that 
woodness that Lucas was in he slew 
two bachelors, and horsed them again. 
Then waxed the battle passing hard on 
both parties, but Arthur was glad that 
his knights were horsed again, and then 
they fought together that the noise and 
sound rang by the water and the wood. 
Wherefore king Ban and king Bors 
made them ready and dressed their 1 
shields and harness, and they were so 
courageous that many knights shook 
and trembled for eagerness. All this 
while Lucas, and Gwinas, and Briant, 
and Bellias of Flanders, held strong 
meddle against six kings, that was king 
Lot, king Nentres, king Brandegoris, 
king Idres, king Uriens, and king Ag- 
wisance. So with the help of Sir Kay 
and of Sir Griflet they held these six 
kings hard, that unneth they had any 
power to defend them. But when Sir 
Arthur saw the battle would not be 
ended by no manner he fared wood as 
a lion, and steered his horse here and 
there, on the right hand and on the left 
hand, that he stinted not till he had 
slain twenty knights. Also he wounded 
king Lot sore on the shoulder, and made 
him to leave that ground, for Sir Kay 
and Griflet did with king Arthur there 
great deeds of arms. Then Ulfius, 
Brastias, and Sir Ector, encountered 
against the duke Eustace, and king 
Cradelment, and king Cradelmas, and 
king Clariance of Northumberland, and 
king Carados, and against the king with 
the hundred knights. So these knights 
encountered with these kings that they 
made them to avoid the ground. Then 
king Lot made great dole for his 
damages and his fellows, and said unto 



38 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



the eleven Icings, But if ye will do as I 
devise we shall be slain and destroyed : 
let me have the king with the hundred 
knights, and king Agwisance, and king 
Idres, and the duke of Cambenet, and 
we five kings will have fifteen thousand 
men of arms with us, and we will go 
apart while ye six kings hold the meddle 
with twelve thousand, and when we see 
that ye have foughten with them long 
then will we come on fiercely, and else 
shall we never match them, said king 
Lot, but by this mean. So they de- 
parted as they here devised, and six 
kings made their party strong against 
Arthur, and made great war long. In 
the meanwhile brake the embushment 
of king Ban and Bors, and Lionses and 
Phariance had the advant guard, and 
they two knights met with king Idres 
and his fellowship, and there began a 
great meddle of breaking of spears and 
smiting of swords with slaying of men 
and horses, and king Idres was near at 
discomfiture. 

That saw Agwisance the king, and 
put Lionses and Phariance in point of 
death : for the duke of Cambenet came 
on withal with a great fellowship, so 
these two knights were in great danger 
of their lives that they were fain to 
return, but always they rescued them- 
selves and their fellowship marvellously. 
When king Bors saw those knights put 
aback it grieved him sore ; then he came 
on so fast that his fellowship seemed as 
black as Inde. When king Lot had 
espied king Bors he knew him well ; 
then he said, O defend us from death 
and horrible maims, for I see well we 
be in great peril of death ; for I see 
yonder a king, one of the most worship- 
fulest men, and one of the best knights 
of the world, is inclined unto his fel- 
lowship. What is he ? said the king 
with the hundred knights. It is, said 
king Lot, king Bors of Gaul ; I marvel 
how they came into this country with- 
out witting of us all. It was by Mer- 
lin's advice, said the knight. As for 
him, said king Carados, I will encoun- 
ter with king Bors, if ye will rescue me 
when need is. Go on, said they all, we 



will do all that we may. Then king 
Carados and his host rode on a soft pace 
till that they came as nigh king Bors 
as a bow draught : then either battle let 
their horses run as fast as they might. 
And Bleoberis that was god-son unto 
king Bors he bare his chief standard, 
that was a passing good knight. Now 
shall we see, said king Bors, how these 
northern Britons can bear their arms. 
And king Bors encountered with a 
knight, and smote him throughout with 
a spear that he fell dead unto the earth, 
and after drew his sword and did mar- 
vellous deeds of arms, that all parties had 
great wonder thereof; and his knights 
failed not but did their part, and king 
Carados was smitten to the earth. 
With that came the king with the 
hundred knights and rescued king 
Carados mightily by force of arms, for 
he was a passing good knight of a king, 
and but a young man. 

CHAP. XIV. 

Yet more of the same battle. 

By then came into field king Ban as 
fierce as a lion, with bands of green and 
thereupon gold. Ha, ha, said king Lot, 
we must be discomfited, for yonder I see 
the most valiant knight of the world, 
and the man of the most renown : for 
such two brethren as is king Ban and 
king Bors are not living, wherefore we 
must needs void or die ; and but if we 
avoid manly and wisely there is but 
death. When king Ban came into the 
battle, he came in so fiercely that the 
strokes resounded again from the wood 
and the water; wherefore king Lot 
wept for pity and dole that he saw so 
many good knights take their end. But 
through the great force of king Ban 
they made both the northern battles 
that were parted to hurtle together for 
great dread, and the three kings with 
their knights slew on ever, that it was 
pity to behold that multitude of the 
people that fled. But king Lot and the 
king of the hundred knights and king 
Morganore gathered the people together 
passing knightly, and did great prowess 



VET OF THE SAME BATTLE. 



39 



of arms, and held the battle all that day 
like hard. When the king of the hundred 
knights beheld the great damage that 
king Ban did, he thrust unto him with his 
horse, and smote him on high upon the 
helm a great stroke, and astonied him sore. 
Then king Ban was wroth with him, and 
followed on him fiercely : the other saw 
that, and cast up his shield and spun-ed 
his horse forward, but the stroke of 
king Ban fell down and carved a cantel 
of the shield, and the sword slid down 
by the hauberk behind his back, and 
cut through the trapping of steel, and 
the horse even in two pieces, that the 
i sword felt the earth. Then the king of 
the hundred knights voided the horse 
lightly, and with his sword he broched 
the horse of king Ban through and 
through. With that king Ban voided 
lightly from the dead horse, and then 
king Ban smote at the other so eagerly 
and smote him on the helm, that he fell 
to the earth. Also in that ire he felled 
king Morganore, and there was great 
slaughter of good knights and much 
people. By then came into the press 
king Arthur, and found king Ban stand- 
ing among dead men and dead horses, 
fighting on foot as a wood lion, that 
there came none nigh him as far as he 
might reach with his sword but that he 
caught a grievous buffet ; whereof king 
Arthur had great pity. And Arthur 
was so bloody that by his shield there 
might no man know him, for all was 
blood and brains on his sword. And 
as Arthur looked by him he saw a 
knight that was passing well horsed, 
and therewith Sir Arthur ran to him 
and smote him on the helm that his 
sword went unto his teeth, and the 
knight sank down to the earth dead, 
and anon Arthur took the horse by the 
rein and led him unto king Ban, and 
said, Fair brother have this horse, for 
ye have great need thereof, and me re- 
penteth sore of your great damage. It 
shall be soon revenged, said king Ban, 
fur I trust mine use is not such but 
some of them may sore repent this. I 
will well, said Arthur, for I see your 
deeds full actual ; nevertheless, I might 



not come at you at that time. But 
when king Ban was mounted on horse- 
back, then there began new battle the 
which was sore and hard, and passing 
great slaughter. And so through great 
force king Arthur, and king Ban, and 
king Bors made their knights a little to 
withdraw them. But always the eleven 
kings with their chivalry never turned 
back, and so withdrew them to ?. little 
wood, and so over a little river, and 
there they rested them, for on t^^e night 
they might have no rest in ^ne field. 
And then the eleven kings and knights 
put them on a heap all together, as 
men adread and out of all comfort. But 
there was no man might pass them, 
they held them so hard together, both 
behind and before, that king Arthur 
had marvel of their deeds of arms, and 
was passing wroth. Ah, Sir Arthur, said 
king Ban and king Bors, blame them 
not, for they do as good men ought to 
do. For by my faith, said king Ban, 
they are the best fighting men and 
knights of most prowess that ever I 
saw or heard speak of, and those eleven 
kings are men of great worship, and if 
they were belonging unto you there were 
no king under the heaven had such 
eleven knights, and of such worship. I 
may not love them, said Arthur, they 
would destroy me. That wot we well, 
said king Ban and king Bors, for they 
are your mortal enemies, and that hath 
been proved aforehand, and this day 
they have done their part, and that is 
great pity of their wilfulness. 

Then all the eleven kings drew them 
together, and then said king Lot : Lords, 
ye must other ways than ye do, or else 
the great loss is behind : ye may see 
what people we have lost, and what 
good men we lose, because we wait 
always upon these footmen, and ever 
in saving of one of the footmen we lose 
ten horsemen for him ; therefore this is 
mine advice, let us put our footmen 
from us, for it is near night, for the 
noble Arthur will not tarry on the foot- 
men, for they may save themselves, the 
wood is near hand. And when we 
horsemen be together, look every each 



40 



MORTE DARTMUR. 



of you kings let make such ordinance 
ihat none break upon pain of death. 
Knd who that seeth any man dress him 
to, flee, hghtly that he be slain, for 
it is better that we slay a coward than 
through a coward all we to be slain. 
How say ye ? said king Lot, answer 
me, all ye kings. It is well said, quoth 
king Nentres ; so said the king of the 
hundi-ed knights ; the same said the 
king Carados, and king Uriens ; so did 
king Iclres, and king Brandegoris ; and 
so did dng Cradelmas, and the duke 
of Camb^net ; the same said king Cla- 
riance, anc king Agwisance ; — and sware 
they would never fail other, neither 
for life nor for death. And whoso that 
fled, but did as they did, should be slain. 
Then they amended their harness, and 
righted their shields, and took new 
spears and set them on their thighs, 
and stood still as it had been a plump 
of wood. 

CHAP. XV. 

Yet more of the said battle, and how it 
was efided by Merlin. 

When Sir Arthur and King Ban and 
Bors beheld them and all their knights, 
they praised them much for their noble 
cheer of chivalry, for the hardiest fighters 
that ever they heard or saw. With that 
there dressed them a forty noble knights, 
and said unto the three kings they would 
break their battle : these were their 
names : Lionses, Phariance, Ulfius, 
Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucas the butler, 
Griflet la Fise de Dieu, Mariet de la 
Roche, Guynas de Bloy, Briant de la 
Forest Savage, Bellaus, Morians of the 
Castle of Maidens, Flannedrius of the 
Castle of Ladies, Annecians that was 
king Bors's godson, a noble knight, La- 
dinas de la Rouse, Emerause, Caulas, and 
Graciens le Castlein, one Bloise de la 
Case, and Sir Colgrevaunce de Gorre. 
All these knights rode on afore with 
spears on their thighs, and spurred their 
horses mightily as the horses might run. 
And the eleven kings with part of their 
knights rushed with their horses as fast 
as they might with their spears, and 



there they did on both parties mar- 
vellous deeds of arms. So came into 
the thick of the press Arthur, Ban, and 
Bors, and slew down right on both 
hands, that their horses went in blood 
up to the fetlocks. But ever the eleven 
kings and their host were ever in the 
visage of Arthur. Wherefore Ban and 
Bors had great marvel, considering the 
great slaughter that there was, but at 
the last they were driven aback over a 
little river. With that came Merlin on 
a great black horse, and said imto 
Arthur : Thou hast never done : hast 
thou not done enough? of three-score 
thousand this day hast thou left on live 
but fifteen thousand, and it is time to 
say Ho ! For God is wroth with thee 
that thou wilt never have done, for 
yonder eleven kings at this time will 
not be overthrown, but and thou tarry 
on them any longer thy fortune will 
turn and they shall increase. And 
therefore withdraw you unto your lodg- 
ing, and rest you as soon as ye may, 
and reward your good knights with gold 
and with silver, for they have well de- 
served it; there may no riches be too 
dear for them, for of so few men as ye 
have there were never men did more 
of prowess than they have done to day, 
for ye have matched this day with the 
best fighters of the world. That is 
truth, said king Ban and Bors. Also 
said Merlin, withdraw you where ye 
list, for this three year I dare under- 
take they shall not dare you ; and by 
then ye shall hear new tidings. And 
then Merlin said unto Arthur: These 
eleven kings have more on hand than 
they are ware of, for the Saracens are 
landed in their countries, more than 
forty thousand that burn and slay, and 
have laid siege at the castle Wandes- 
borow, and made great destruction ; 
therefore dread you not this three year. 
Also Sir, all the goods that be gotten 
at this battle let it be searched: and 
when ye have it in your hands let it be 
given freely unto these two kings, Ban and 
Bors, that they may reward their knights 
withal; and that shall cause strangers 
to be of better will to do you service at 



OF MERLIN'S MASTER, BLEISE. 



41 



need. Also ye be able to reward your 
own knights of your own goods when- 
soever it liketh you. It is well said, 
quoth Arthur, and as thou hast de- 
vised so shall it be done. When it was 
delivered to Ban and Bors, they gave 
the goods as freely to their knights as it 
was given them. 

Then Merlin took his leave of Arthur 
and of the two kings, for to go and see 
his master Bleise that dwelt in Northum- 
berland, and so he departed and came to 
his master, that was passing glad of his 
coming. And there he told how Arthur 
and the two kings had sped at the great 
battle, and how it w^as ended, and told 
the names of every king and knight of | 
worship that was there. And so Bleise i 
wrote the battle, word by word, as | 
Merlin told him, how it began, and by j 
whom, and in likewise how it was I 
ended, and who had the worse. All the j 
battles that were done in Arthur's days j 
Merlin did his master Bleise do write. I 
Also, he did do write all the battles i 
that every worthy knight did of Arthur's : 
court. After this Merlin departed from , 
his master and came to king Arthur, that \ 
was in the castle of Bedegraine, that was | 
one of the castles that stood in the 
forest of Sherwood. And MerHn was 
so disgiiised that king Arthur knew him 
not, for he was all befurred in black 
sheepskins, and a great pair of boots, 
and a bow and arrows, in a russet gown, 
and brought wild geese in his hand, and 
it was on the morn after Candlemas 
Day, but king Arthur knew him not. 
Sir, said Merlin unto the king, will 
ye give me a gift? V/herefore said 
king Arthur should I give thee a gift, 
churl ? Sir, said Merlin, ye were better 
to give me a gift that is not in your 
hand, than to lose great riches; for 
here, in the same place where the great 
battle was, is great treasure hid in the 
earth. Who told thee so, churl? said 
Arthur. Merlin told me so, said he. 
Then Ulfius and Brastias knew him well 
enough, and smiled. Sir, said these two 
knights, it is Merlin that so speaketh 
unto you. Then king Arthur was greatly 
abashed, and had marvel of Merlin, and 



so had king Ban and king Bors, and so 
they had great disport at him. 

So, in the mean while, there came a 
damsel which was an earl's daughter, 
and his name was Sanam, and her 
name was Lionors, a passing fair dam- 
sel, and so she came thither for to do 
homage, as other lords did after the 
great battle. And king Arthur set his 
love greatly upon her, and so did she ] 
upon him, and she bare a child and ; 
his name was Borre, that was after a 
good knight, and of the Table Round. 
Then there came word that the king 
Rience of North Wales made great war 
upon king Leodegrance of Cameliard, 
for the which thing Arthur was wroth, 
for he loved him well and hated king 
Rience, for he was always against him. 
So by ordinance of the three kings that 
was sent home to Benwick, all they 
would depart for dread of king Claudas ; 
Phariance, and Antemes, and Gratian, 
and Lionses of Payarne, with the leaders 
of those that should keep the kings' 
lands. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How king Arthur, king Ban, and king 
Bors rescued king Leodegrance, and 
other incidents. 

And then king Arthur and king Ban 
and king Bors departed with their fel- 
lowship, a twenty thousand, and came 
within six days into the country of Ca- 
meliard, and there rescued king Leode- 
grance and slew there much people of 
king Rience unto the number of ten 
thousand men, and put him to flight. 
And then had these three kings great 
cheer of king Leodegrance that thanked 
them of their great goodness, that they 
would revenge him of his enemies. And 
there had Arthur the first sight of 
Guenever, the king's daughter of Ca- 
meliard, and ever after he loved her. 
After they were wedded, as it telleth 
in the book. So, briefly to make an 
end, they took their leave to go into 
their own countries, for king Claudas 
did great destruction on their lands. 
Then said Arthur, I will go with you. 
Nay, said the kings, ye shall not at this 



42 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



BOOK I, 



time, for ye have much to do yet in 
these lands, therefore we will depart, 
and with the great goods that we have 
gotten in these lands by your gifts, we 
shall wage good knights, and withstand 
the king Claudas's malice, for, by the 
grace of God, and we have need we 
will send to you for your succour ; and 
if ye have need, send for us, and we will 
not tarry, by the faith of our bodies. It 
shall not, said Merlin, need that these 
two kings come again in the way of 
war : but I know well king Arthur ^may 
not be long from you, for within a year 
or two ye shall have great need, and 
then shall he revenge you on your ene- 
mies, as ye have done on his. For these 
eleven kings shall die all in a day, by 
the great might and prowess of arms of 
two valiant knights (as it telleth after) 
their names being Balin le Savage, and 
Balan his brother, which be marvellous 
good knights as be any living. 

Now turn we to the eleven kings, that 
returned unto a city that hight Sorhaute, 
the which city was within king Uriens, 
and there they refreshed them as well as 
they might, and made leeches search 
their wounds, and sorrowed greatly for 
the death of their people. With that 
there came a messager and told how 
there was come into their lands people 
that were lawless as well as Saracens a 
forty thousand, and have burnt and slain 
all the people that they may come by 
without mercy and have laid siege on 
the castle of Wandesborow. Alas ! said 
the eleven kings, here is sorrow on sor- 
row, and if we had not warred against 
Arthur as we had done, he would soon 
revenge us : as for king Leodegrance, he 
loveth king Arthur better than us, and 
as for king Rience he hath enough to do 
with king Leodegrance, for he hath laid 
siege unto him. So they consented to- 
gether to keep all the marches of Corn- 
wall, of Wales, and of the North. So 
first they put king Idres in the city of 
Nauntes in Britain with four thousand 
men of arms, to watch both the water 
and the land. Also they put in the city 
of Windesan king Nentres of Garlot 
with four thousand knights, to watch 



both on water and on land. Also they 
had of other men of war more than 
eight thousand, for to fortify all the 
fortresses in the marches of Cornwall. 
Also they put more knights in all the 
marches of Wales and Scotland with 
many good men of arms. And so they 
kept them together the space of three 
years, and ever allied them with mighty 
kings, and dukes, and lords. And to 
them fell king Rience of North Wales, 
the which was a mighty man of men, 
and Nero that was a mighty man of 
men. And all this while they furnished 
them and garnished them of good men 
of arms and victual, and of all manner 
of habiliment that pretendeth to the 
war, to avenge them for the battle of 
Bedegraine, as it telleth in the book of 
adventures following. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How king Arthur rode to Carlion, and of 
bis dream, and bow be saw the questing 
beast. 

Then after the departing of king Ban 
and of king Bors king Arthur rode unto 
Carlion. And thither came to him 
Lot's wife of Orkney, in manner of a 
messenger, but she was sent thither to 
espy the court of king Arthur ; and she 
came richly beseen with her four sons, 
Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Ga- 
reth, with many other knights and 
ladies, and she was a passing fair lady, 
wherefore the king cast great love unto 
her, and they were agreed, and she was 
his sister, on the mother side Igraine. 
So there she rested her a month, and at 
the last departed. Then the king 
dreamed a marvellous dream whereof 
he was sore adread. But all this time 
king Arthur knew not that king loot's 
wife was his sister. Thus was the 
dream of Arthur. Him thought that 
there was come into this land griffons 
and serpents, and him thought they 
burnt and slew all the people in the 
land, and then him thought he fought 
with them, and they did him passing 
great harm and wounded him full sore, 
but at the last he slew them. When 
the king awaked he was passing heavy 



yva^4A 



CHAP. XVIII. OF THE QUESTING BEAST AND PELLINORE. 



43 



of his dream, and so to put it out of 
thoughts he made him ready with many- 
knights to ride on hunting. As soon as 
he was in the forest the king saw a great 
hart afore him. This hart will I chase, 
said king Arthur, and so he spurred the 
horse and rode after long, and so by fine 
force oft he was like to have smitten the 
hart, till the king had chased the hart so 
long that his horse had lost his breath, 
and fell down dead. Then a yeoman 
fetched the king another horse. So the 
king saw the hart embushed and his 
horse dead ; he sat him down by a foun- 
tain, and there he fell in great thoughts ; 
and as he sat so him thought he heard 
a noise of hounds, to the sum of thirty. 
And with that the king saw coming 
toward him the strangest beast that ever 
he saw or heard of; so the beast went 
to the well and drank, and the noise was 
in the beast's belly like unto the quest- 
ing of thirty couple hounds ; but all the 
while the beast drank there was no 
noise in the beast's belly, and therewith 
the beast departed with a great noise, 
whereof the king had great marvel. And 
so he was in great thought, and there- 
with he fell on sleep. Right so there 
came a knight afoot unto Arthur, and 
said. Knight, full of thought and sleepy, 
tell me if thou sawest a strange beast 
pass this way. Such one saw I, said 
king Arthur, that is past two miles : 
what would you with the beast? said 
Arthur. Sir, I have followed that beast 
long time, and have killed my horse ; so 
would I had another to follow my quest. 
Right so came one with the king's horse, 
and when the knight saw the horse he 
prayed the king to give him the horse. 
For I have followed this quest this 
twelvemonth, and either 1 shall achiev& 
him or bleed of the best blood of my 
body. Pellinore that time king followed 
the questing beast, and after his death 
Sir Palomides followed it. 

CHAP. XVIII. t 

How king Pellinore took Arthurs horse 
and followed the questing beast, and 
how Merlin met with Arthur. 
Sir knight, said the king, leave that 



quest and suffer me to have it, and I 
will follow it another twelve month. 
Ah fool, said the knight unto Arthur, 
it is in vain thy desire, for it shall never 
be achieved but by me, or my next kin. 
Therewith he stert unto the king's horse, 
and mounted into the saddle, and said, 
Gramercy, this horse is mine own. Well, 
said the king, thou mayest take my horse 
by force, but and I might prove thee 
whether thou v\^ert better on horseback 
or I. Well, said the knight, seek me 
here when thou wilt, and here nigh this 
well thou shalt find me ; and so passed 
on his way. Then the king sat in a 
study, and bad his men fetch his horse 
as fast as ever they might. Right so 
came by him Merlin like a child of 
fourteen year of age, and saluted the 
king, and asked him why he was so 
pensive? I may well be pensive, said 
the king, for I have seen the mar- 
vellest sight that ever I saw. That 
know I well, said Merlin, as well as 
thyself, and of all thy thoughts; but 
thou art but a fool to take thought, for 
it will not amend thee. Also I know 
what thou art, and who was thy father, 
and of whom thou wert born ; king 
Uther Pendragon was thy father, and 
had thee of Igraine. That is false, said 
king Arthur ; how shouldest thou know 
it? for thou art not so old of years to 
know my father. Yes, said Merlin, I 
know it better than ye or any man 
living. I will not believe thee, said 
Arthur, and was wroth with the childt 
So departed Merlin ; and came again 
in the likeness of an old man of four- 
score years of age, whereof the king 
was right glad, for he seemed to be 
right wise. 

Then said the old man. Why are ye 
so sad ? I may well be heavy, said 
Arthur, for many things. Also here 
was a child, and told me many things 
that me seemeth he should not know, 
for he was not of age to know my 
father. Yes, said the old man, the 
child told you truth, and more would 
he have told you and ye would have 
suffered him. But ye have done a thing 
late that God is displeased with you. 



44 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and your sister shall have a child that 
shall destroy you and all the knights of 
your realm. What are ye, said Arthur, 
that tell me these tidings? I am Mer- 
lin, and I was he in the child's likeness. 
Ah, said king Arthur, ye are a mar- 
vellous man, but I marvel much of thy 
words that I must die in battle. Marvel 
not, said Merlin, for it is God's will 
your body to be punished for your foul 
deeds. But I may well be sorry, said 
Merlin, for I shall die a shameful death, 
to be put in the earth quick, and ye 
shall die a worshipful death. And as 
they talked this, came one with the 
king's horse, and so the king mounted 
on his horse and Merlin on another, and 
so rode unto Carlion. And anon the 
king asked Ector and Ulfius how he 
was born. And they told him that 
Uther Pendragon was his father, and 
queen Igraine his mother : then he said 
to Merim, I will that my mother be 
sent for, that I may speak with her, and 
if she say so herself, then will I believe 
it. In all haste the queen was sent for, 
and she came and brought with her 
Morgan le Fay her daughter, that was 
as fair a lady as any might be. And 
the king welcomed Igraine in the best 
manner. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Ulfius appeached queen Igraine, 

Arthur's mother, of treason : and how 

a knight came and desired to have the 

death of his master revenged. 

Rtght so came Ulfius and said 

openly, that the king and all might 

hear that were feasted that day, Ye are 

the falsest lady of the world, and the 

most traitress unto the king's person. 

Beware, said Arthur, what thou sayest ; 

thou speakest a great word. I am well 

ware, said Sir Ulfius, what I speak, 

and here is my glove to prove it upon 

any man that will say the contrary, that 

this queen Igraine is causer of your great 

damage, and of your great war. _ For, 

and she would have uttered it in the 

life of king Uther Pendragon of the 

birth of you, ye had never had half the 



mortal wars that ye have had : for the 
most part of your barons of your realm 
knew never whose son ye were, nor of 
whom ye were born. And she that bear 
you should have made it known openly 
in excusing of her worship and yours, 
and in likewise to all the realm ; where- 
fore I prove her false to God and to 
you and to all your realm, and who will 
say the contrary 1 will prove it upon his 
body. 

Then spake Igraine and said, I am 
a woman, and I may not fight, but 
rather than I should be dishonoured 
there would some good man take my 
quarrel. More she said. Merlin knoweth 
well, and ye Sir Ulfius, how king Uther 
came to me in the castle of Tintagel, in 
the likeness of my lord that was dead 
three hours tofore. And after my lord 
was dead king Uther wedded me, and by 
his commandment when the child was 
born it was delivered unto Merlin, and 
nourished by him, and so I saw the 
child never after, nor wot not what is 
his name, for I knew him never yet. 
And there Ulfius said to the queen, 
Merlin is more to blame than ye. Well 
I wot, said the queen, that I bare 
a child by my lord king Uther, but 
I wot not where he is become. Then 
Merlin took the king by the hand, 
saying. This is your mother. And 
therewith Sir Ector bare witness how 
he nourished him by Uther's com- 
mandment. And, therewith king Arthur 
took his mother queen Igraine in his 
arms and kissed her and either wept 
upon other. And then the king let 
make a feast that lasted eight days. 
Then on a day there came into the 
court a squire on horseback, leading 
a knight before him wounded to the 
death, and told him how there was 
a knight in the forest had reared up 
a pavilion by a well, and hath slain my 
master, a good knight, his name was 
Miles ; wherefore I beseech you that 
my master may be buried, and that 
some knight may revenge my master's 
death. Then the noise was great of that 
knight's death in the court, and every 
man said his advice : then came Grifiet 



THE ROMAN EMPEROR ASKS TRUAGE. 



45 



that was but a squire, and he was but 
young, of the age of king Arthur ; so he 
besought the king for all his service 
that he had done him to give him the 
order of knighthood. 



CHAP. XX. 

How Griflet vjas made knight, and justed 
with a knight. 

Thou art full young and tender of 
age, said Arthur, for to take so high 
an order on thee. Sir, said Griflet, I 
beseech you make me knight. Sir, said 
Merlin, it were great pity to lose Griflet, 
for he will be a passing good man when 
he is of age, abiding with you the term 
of his life. And if he adventure his 
body with yonder knight at the fountain 
it is in great peril if ever he come again, 
for he is one of the best knights of the 
world, and the strongest man of arms. 
Well, said king Arthur. So at the desire 
of Griflet the king made him knight. 
Now, said Arthur unto Sir Griflet, since 
I have made you knight, thou must 
give me a gift. What ye will, said 
Griflet. Thou shalt promise me by the 
faith of thy body, when thou hast justed 
with the knight at the fountain, whether 
it fall ye be on foot or on horseback, 
that right so ye shall come again unto 
me without making any more debate. 
I will promise you, said Griflet, as you 
desire. Then took Griflet his horse in 
great haste, and dressed his shield, and 
took a spear in his hand, and so he 
rode a great wallop till he came to 
the fountain, and thereby he saw a rich 
pavilion, and thereby under a cloth stood 
a fair horse well saddled and bridled, 
and on a tree a shield of divers colours, 
and a great spear. Then Griflet smote 
on the shield with the butt of his spear 
that the shield fell down to the ground. 
With that the knight came out of the 
pavilion and said. Fair knight, why 
smote ye down my shield ? For I will 
just with you, said Griflet. It is better 
ye do not, said the knight, for ye are 
but young, and late made knight, and 
your might is nothing to mine. As for 



that, said Griflet, I will just with you. 
That is me loth, said the knight, but 
since I must needs I will dress me 
thereto : of whence be ye ? said the 
knight. Sir, I am of Arthur's court. 
So the two knights ran together, that 
Griflet's spear all to-shivered, and there- 
withal he smote Griflet through the 
shield and the left side, and brake 
the spear, that the truncheon stack 
in his body, that horse and knight fell 
down. 

CHAP. XXI. 

HoTV twelve knights came from Rome and 
asked trvage for this land of Arthur, 
a?id how Arthur fought with a knight. 

Vv'hen the knight saw him lie so on 
the ground he alighted, and was passing 
heavy, for he wend he had slain him, 
and then he unlaced his helm and gat 
him wind, and so with the truncheon 
he set him on his horse and gat him 
wind, and so betook him to God, and 
said he had a mighty heart, and if he 
might live he would prove a passing 
good knight. And so Sir Griflet rode 
to the court, where great dole was made 
for him. But through good leeches he 
was healed and saved. 

Right so came into the court twelve 
knights, and were aged men, and they 
came from the emperor of Rome, and 
they asked of Arthur truage for this 
realm, other else the emperor would 
destroy him and his land. Well, said 
king Arthur, ye are messagers, there- 
fore may ye say what ye will, other else 
ye should die therefore. But this is 
mine answer; I owe the emperor no 
truage, nor none will I hold him ; but 
on a fair field I shall give him my 
truage, that shall be with a sharp spear 
or else with a sharp sword, and that 
shall not be long, by my father's soul, 
Uther Pendragon. And therewith the 
messagers departed passingly wroth, and 
king Arthur as wroth, for in evil time 
came they then, for the king was pass- 
ingly wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. 
And so he commanded a privyman of 
his chamber, that or it be day his best 



46 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



horse and armour, with all that be- 
longeth unto his person, be without the 
city or to-morrow day. Right so, or 
to-mon-ow day, he met with his man 
and his horse, and so mounted up, and 
dressed his shield, and took his spear, 
and bade his chamberlain tarry there 
till he came again. 

And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it 
was day, and then was he aware of 
three churls chasing Merlin, and would 
have slain him. Then the king rode 
unto them and bade them. Flee churls ! 
Then were they afeard when they saw 
a knight, and fled. O Merlin, said 
Arthur, here haddest thou been slain, for 
all thy crafts, had I not been. Nay, 
said Merlin, not so, for I could save 
myself an I would, and thou art more 
near thy death than I am, for thou 
goest to the death-ward, and God be not 
thy friend. So as they went thus talking 
they came to the fountain, and the rich 
pavilion there by it. Then king Arthur 
was ware where sat a knight armed in a 
chair. Sir knight, said Arthur, for what 
cause abidest thoa here, that there may 
no knight ride this way but if he just 
with thee, said the king: I rede thee 
leave that custom, said Arthur. This 
custom, said the knight, have I used 
and will use maugre who saith nay; 
and who is grieved with my custom let 
him amend it that will. I will amend it, 
said Arthur. I shall defend thee, said the 
knight. Anon he took his horse, and 
dressed his shield, and took a spear, 
and they met so hard either in other's 
shields that they all to-shivered their 
spears. Therewith Arthur anon pulled 
out his sword. Nay, not so, said the 
knight, it is fairer that we twain run 
more together with 'sharp spears. I 
will well, said Arthur, and I had any 
more spears. I have enow, said the 
knight. So there came a squire, and 
brought two good spears, and Arthur 
chose one and he another, so they 
spurred their horses, and came together 
with all their mights, that either brake 
their spears to their hands.. Then 
Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, 
said the knight, ye shall do better ; ye 



are a passing good juster as ever I met 
withal, and once for the love of the 
high order of knighthood let us just 
once again. I assent me, said Arthur. 
Anon there were brought two great 
spears, and every knight gat a spear, 
and therewith they ran together that 
Arthur's spear all to-shivered. But the 
other knight hit him so hard in midst 
of the shield that horse and man 
fell to the earth, and therewith Arthur 
was eager, and pulled out his sword, 
and said, I will assay thee. Sir knight, 
on foot, for I have lost the honour on 
horseback. I will be on horseback, said 
the knight. Then was Arthur wroth, 
and dressed his shield towards him with 
his sword drawn. When the knight 
saw that, he alight, for him thought 
no worship to have a knight at such 
avail, he to be on horseback, and he on 
foot, and so he alight and dressed his 
shield unto Arthur. And there began 
a strong battle with many great strokes, 
and so hewed with their swords that 
the cantels flew in the fields, and much 
blood they bled both, that all the place 
there as they fought was over-bled with 
blood, and thus they fought long, and 
rested them, and then they went to the 
battle again, and so hurtled together 
like two rams that either fell to the 
earth. So at the last they smote 
together, that both their swords met 
even together. But the sword of the 
knight smote king Arthur's sword in two 
pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then 
said the knight unto Arthur, Thou art 
in my danger whether me list to save 
thee or slay thee, and but thou yield 
thee as overcome and recreant thou 
shalt die. As for death, said king 
Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh ; 
but to yield me unto thee as recreant I 
had lever die than to be so shamed. 
And therewithal the king leapt unto 
Pellinore, and took him by the middle, 
and threw him down, and rased off his 
helmet. When the knight felt that he 
was adread, for he was a passing big man 
of might, and anon he brought Arthur 
under him, and rased off his helm, and 
would have smitten off his head. 



CHAP. XXIII. HOW ARTHUR GAT THE SWORD EXCALIBUR. 



47 



CHAP. XXII. 

How Merlin saved Arthur' s life, and threw 
an enchantment upon king Pellinore, and 
made him to sleep. 

Therewithal came Merlin, and said, 
Knight, hold thy hand, for and thou slay 
that knight thou puttest this realm in 
the greatest damage that ever was realm : 
for this knight is a man of more wor- 
ship than thou wotest of. Why, who is 
he? said the knight. It is king Arthur. 
Then would he have slain him for dread 
of his wrath, and heaved up his sword, 
and therewith Merlin cast an enchant- 
ment to the knight, that he fell to the 
earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin 
took up king Arthur, and rode forth on 
the knight's horse. Alas, said Arthur, 
what hast thou done. Merlin ? hast thou 
slain this good knight by thy crafts ? 
There lived not so worshipful a knight 
as he was ; I had lever than the stint 
of my land a year that he were onlive. 
Care ye not, said Merlin, for he is 
wholer than ye, for he is but on sleep, 
and will awake within three hours. I 
told you, said Merlin, what a knight he 
was; here had ye be slain had I not 
been. Also there liveth not a bigger 
knight than he is one, and he shall here- 
after do you right good sei*vice, and his 
name is Pellinore, and he shall have two 
sons that shall be passing good men ; 
save one, they shall have no fellow of 
prowess and of good living; and their 
names shall be Percivale of Wales and 
Lamerake of Wales: and he shall tell 
you the name of your sister's son that 
shall be the destruction of all this 
realm. 

CHAP. xxni. 

How Arthur by the mean of Merlin gat 
Excalihur his sword of the Lady of the 
lake. 

Right so the king and he departed, 
and went until an hermit that w£ts a 
good man and a great leach. So the 
hermit searched all his wounds and 
gave him good salves ; so the king was 



there three days, and then were his 
wounds well amended that he might 
ride and go, and so departed. And 
as they rode, Arthur said, I "tiave no 
sword. No force, said Merlin, hereby j 
is a sword that shall be yours and I 
may. So they rode till they came to 
a lake, the which was a fair water and 
broad, and in the midst of the lake 
Arthur was ware of an arm clothed in 
white samite, that held a fair sword in 
that hand. Lo, said Merlin, yonder is 
that sword that I spake of. With that 
they saw a damsel going upon the lake : 
What damsel is that ? said Arthur. 
That is the Lady of the lake, said 
Merlin ; and within that lake is a rock, 
and therein is as fair a place as any on 
earth, and richly beseen, and this damsel 
will come to you anon, and then speak 
ye fair to her that she will give you 
that sword. Anon withal came the 
damsel unto Arthur and saluted him, 
and he her again. Damsel, said Arthur, 
what sword is that, that yonder the arm 
holdeth above the water? I would it 
were mine, for I have no sword. Sir Ar- 
thur king, said the damsel, that sword is 
mine, and if ye will give me a gift when 
I ask it you, ye shall Jiave it. By my 
faith, said Arthur, I will give you what 
gift ye will ask. Well, said the damsel, 
go ye into yonder barge and row your- 
self to the sword, and take it and the 
scabbard with you, and I will ask my 
gift when I see my time. So Sir 
Arthur and Merlin alight, and tied 
their horses to two trees, and so they 
went into the ship, and when they came 
to the sword that the hand held, Sir 
Arthur took it up by the handles, and 
took it with him. And the arm and 
the hand went under the water ; and so 
they came unto the land and rode forth. 
And then Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion : 
What signifieth yonder pavilion ? It is 
the knight's pavilion, said Merlin, that ye 
fought with last. Sir Pellinore, but he is 
out, he is not there ; he hath ado with 
a knight of yours, that hight Egglame, 
and they have fought together, but 
at the last Egglame fled, and else he 
had been dead, and he hath chased him 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



even to Carlion, and we shall meet with 
him anon in the high way. That is well 
said, said Arthur, now have I a sword, 
now will I wage battle with him and be 
avenged on him. Sir, ye shall not so, 
said Merlin, for the knight is weary of 
fighting and chasing, so that ye shall 
have no worship to have ado with him ; 
also he will not lightly be matched of 
one knight living ; and therefore it is 
my counsel, let him pass, for he shall 
do you good service in short time, and 
his sons after his days. Also ye shall 
see that day in short space, ye shall be 
right glad to give him your sister to 
wed. When I see him, I will do as ye 
advise me, said Arthur, Then Sir 
Arthur looked on the sword, and liked 
it passing well. Whether liketh you 
better, said Merlin, the sword or the 
scabbard ? Me liketh better the sword, 
said Arthur. Ye are more unwise, said 
Merlin, for the scabbard is worth ten 
of the sword, for while ye have the 
scabbard upon you ye shall never lose 
no blood, be ye never so sore wounded, 
therefore keep well the scabbard always 
with you. So they rode unto Carlion, 
and by the way they met with Sir Pelli- 
nore ; but Merlin had done such a craft 
that Pellinore saw not Arthur, and 
he passed by without any words. I 
marvel, said Arthur, that the knight 
would not speak. Sir, said Merlin, he 
saw you not, for and he had seen you 
ye had not lightly departed. So they 
came unto Carlion, whereof his knights 
were passing glad. And when they heard 
of his adventures they marvelled that he 
would jeopard his person so alone. But 
all men of worship said it was merry to 
be under such a chieftain that would 
put his person in adventure as other 
poor knights did. 

CHAP. XXIV. 

How tidings came to Arthur that king 
Ryons had overcome eleven kings, and 
how he desired Arthur's beard to trim 
his mantle. 

This meanwhile came a messager 
from king Ryons of North Wales, and 



king he was of all Ireland, and of many 
Isles. And this was his message, gieet- 
ing well king Arthur in this manner 
wise, saying that king Ryons had dis- 
comfited and overcome eleven kings, 
and every each of them did him homage, 
and that was this — they gave him their 
beards clean flayed off, as much as there 
was ; wherefore the messager came for 
king Arthur's beard. For king Ryons 
had trimmed a mantle with kings' 
beards, and there lacked one place of 
the mantle, wherefore he sent for his 
beard, or else he would enter into his 
lands, and burn and slay, and never 
leave till he have the head and the 
beard. Well, said Arthur, thou hast 
said thy message, the which is the most 
villainous and lewdest message that ever 
man heard sent unto a king : also thou 
mayest see my beard is full young yet 
to make a trimming of it. But tell 
thou thy king this : I owe him none 
homage, nor none of mine elders ; but or 
it be long he shall do me homage on 
both his knees, or else he shall lose his 
head, by the faith of my body, for this is 
the most shamefulest message that ever 
I heard speak of. I see well thy king 
met never yet with worshipful man, but 
tell him I will have his head without he 
do me homage. Then the messager 
departed. Now is there any here, said 
Arthur, that knov/eth king Ryons? 
Then answered a knight that hight 
Naram, Sir, I know the king well ; he 
is a passing good man of his body as 
few be living, and a passing proud 
man; and. Sir, doubt ye not he will 
make war on you with a mighty puis- 
sance. Well, said Arthur, I shall ordain 
for him in short time. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How all the children were sent for that 
were born on May-day, and how Mor- 
dred was saved. 

Then king Arthur let send for all the 
children born on May-day of lords and 
ladies, for Merlin told king Arthur that he 
that should destroy him should be born 
on May-day, wherefore he sent for them 



>t3C 



CHAP. XXV. 



OF A DAMSEL WITH A SWORD. 



49 



all upon pain of death. And so there 
were found many lords' sons, and all 
were sent unto the king, and so was 
Mordred sent by king Lot's wife, and all 
were put in a ship to the sea, and some 
were four weeks old, and some less. 
And so by fortune the ship drove unto 
a castle, and was all to-riven, and de- 
stroyed the most part, save that Mordred 
was cast up, and a good man found him, 
and nourished him till he was fourteen 
year old, and then he brought him to 
the court, as it rehearseth afterward 



toward the end of the Death of Arthur. 
So many lords and barons of this realm 
were displeased, for their children 
were so lost, and many put the blame 
on Merlin more than on Arthur; so 
what for dread and for love they held 
their peace. But when the messager 
came to king Ryons then was he wood 
out of measure, and purveyed him for 
a great host, as it rehearseth after in 
the book of Balin le Savage that fol- 
loweth next after, how by adventure 
Balin gat the sword. 



itiplicit liber primus* Incipit liber gecuntiug* 



33oofe X^z ^econtr. 



CHAP. I. 

Of a damsel which came girt with a sword 
for to find a ?nan of such virtue to draw 
it out of the scabbard. 

After the death of Uther Pendragon 
reigned Arthur his son, the which had 
great war in his days for to get all 
England into his hand. For there were 
many kings within the realm of Eng- 
land, and in Wales, Scotland, and Corn- 
wall. So it befel on a time when king 
Arthur was at London, there came a 
knight and told the king tidings how 
that the king Ryons of North Wales 
had reared a great number of people, 
and were entered into the land, and 
burnt and slew the king's true liege 
people. If this be true, said Arthur, it 
were great shame unto mine estate but 
that he were mightily withstood. It 
is truth, said the knight, for I saw the 
host myself. Well, said the king, let 
make a cry, that all the lords, knights, 
and gentlemen of arms, should draw 
unto a castle, called Camelot in those 
days, and there the king would let m.ake 
a council general, and a great justs. 

So when the king was come thither 
with all his baronage, and lodged as 



they seemed best, there was come a 
damsel the which was sent on message 
from the great lady Lile of Avehon. And 
when she came before king Arthur, she 
told from whom she came, and how she 
was sent on message unto him for these 
causes. Then she let her mantle fall 
that was richly furred ; and then was 
she girt with a noble sword, whereof 
the king had marvel, and said, Damsel, 
for what cause are ye girt with that 
sword? it beseemeth you not. Now 
shall I tell you, said the damsel: this 
sword that I am girt withal doth me 
great sorrow and cumberance, for I may 
not be delivered of this sword but by a 
knight, but he must be a passing good 
man of his hands and of his deeds, and 
without villainy or treachery, and with- 
out treason. And if I may find such a 
knight that hath all these virtues, he 
may draw out this sword out of the 
sheath. For I have been at king Ryons' ; 
it was told me there were passing 
good knights, and he and all his knights 
have assayed it, and none can speed. 
This is a great marvel, said Arthur ; if 
this be sooth, I will myself assay to draw 
out the sword, not presuming upon my- 
self that I am the best knight, but that 



50 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



I will begin to draw at your sword in 
giving example to all the barons, that 
they shall assay every one after other 
when I have assayed it. Then Arthur 
took the sword by the sheath and by 
the girdle, and pulled at it eagerly, but 
the sword would not out. Sir, said the 
damsel, ye need not to pull half so hard, 
for he that shall pull it out, shall do it 
with little might. Ye say well, said 
Arthur: now assay ye, all my barons, 
but beware ye be not defiled with shame, 
treachery, nor guile. Then it will not 
avail, said the damsel, for he must be a 
clean knight without villainy, and of a 
"gentle stock of father side and mother 
side. Most of all the barons of the 
Round Table that were there at that 
time assayed all by row, but there might 
none speed ; wherefore the damsel made 
great sorrow out of measure, and said, 
Alas ! I wend in this court had been the 
i best knights, without treachery or trea- 
i son. By my faith, saith Arthur, here 
are good knights as I deem any been 
in the world, but their grace is not to 
help you, wherefore I am displeased. 

CHAP. 11. 

How Balin, arrayed like a poor knight, 
pulled otit the sword, which afterward 
was cause of his death. 

Then fell it so that time there was a 
poor knight with king Arthur, that had 
been prisoner with him half a year and 
more, for slaying of a knight the which 
was cousin unto king Arthur. The name 
of this knight was called Balin, and by 
good means of the barons he was de- 
livered out of prison, for he was a good 
man named of his body, and he was 
born in Northumberland. And so he 
went privily into the court, and saw 
this adventure, whereof it raised his 
heart, and he would assay it as other 
knights did, but for he was poor and 
poorly arrayed he put him not far in 
press ; but in his heart he was fully as- 
sured to do as well, if his grace happed 
him, as any knight that there was. 
And as the damsel took her leave of 
Arthur and of all the barons, so de- 



parting, this knight Balin called unto her 
and said. Damsel, I pray you of your 
coui-tesy suffer me as well to assay as 
these lords ; though that I be so poorly 
clothed, in mine heart me seemeth I am 
fully assured as some of these other, and 
me seemeth in my heart to speed right 
well. The damsel beheld the poor 
knight, and saw he was a likely man, 
but for of his poor arrayment she 
thought he should be of no worship 
without villainy or treachery. And then 
she said unto the knight. Sir, it needeth 
not to put me to more pain or labour, 
for it seemeth not you to speed there as 
other have failed. Ah, fair damsel, said 
Balin, worthiness and good qualities 
and good deeds are not all only in 
arrayment, but manhood and worship is 
hid within man's person, and many a 
worshipful knight is not known unto all 
people, and therefore worship and hardi- 
ness is not in arrayment. Ye say sooth, 
said the damsel, therefore ye shall assay 
to do what ye may. Then Balin took'the 
sword by the girdle and sheath and drew 
it out easily, and when he looked on the 
sword it pleased him much. Then had the 
king and all the barons great marvel 
that Balin had done that adventure, and 
many knights had great despite C/f Bahn. 
Certes, said the damsel, this is a passing 
good knight, and the best that ever I 
found, and most of worship without 
treason, treachery, or villainy, and many 
marvels shall he do. Now, gentle and 
courteous knight, give me the sword 
again. Nay, said Balin, for this sword 
will I keep, but it be taken from me by 
force. Well, said the damsel, «ye are 
not wise to keep the sword from me, for 
ye shall slay with the sword the best 
friend that ye have, and the man that ye 
most love in the world, and the sword 
shall be your destruction, I shall take 
the adventure, said Balin, that God will 
ordain me, but the sword ye shall not 
have at this time, by the faith, o^ my 
body. Ye shall repent it within '^ihort 
time, said the damsel, for. I would have 
the sword more for your avail than for 
mine, for I am passing heavy for your 
sake ; for ye will not believe thai sword 



OF BALIN AND THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



51 



shall be your destruction, and that is 
great pity. With that the damsel de- 
parted, making great sorrow. 

Anon after Balin sent for his horse 
and his armour, and so would depart 
from the court, and took his leave of 
king Arthur. Nay, said the king, I 
suppose ye will not depart so lightly 
from this fellowship. I suppose that ye 
are displeased that I have shewed you 
unkindness ; blame me the less, for I was 
misinformed against you, but I wend 
you had not been such a knight as ye 
are of worship and prowess, and if ye 
, will abide in this court among my fel- 
i lowship, I shall so advance you as ye 
I shall be pleased. God thank your high- 
ness, said Balin, for your bounty and 
highness may no man praise half to the 
value; but at this time I must needs 
depart, beseeching you ahvay of your 
good grace. Truly, said the king, I am 
right wroth for your departing : I pray 
you, fair knight, that ye tarry not long, 
and ye shall be right welcome to me and 
to my barons, and I shall amend all 
amiss that I have done against you. 
God thank your great lordship, said 
Balin, and therewith made him ready to 
depart. Then the most part of the 
knight 1 of the Round Table said that 
Balin did not this adventure all only by 
might, but by witchcraft. 

CHAP. III. 

How the Lady of the lake demanded the 
knight's head that had won the sword, 
or the maidens head. 

The meanwhile that this knight was 
making him ready to depart, there came 
into the court a lady that hight the 
Lady of the lake. And she came on 
horseback, richly beseen, and saluted 
king Arthur; and there asked him a 
gift that he promised her when she gave 
him the sword. That is sooth, said 
Arthur, a gift I promised you, but I 
havj forgotten the name of my sword 
that ye gave me. The name of it, said 
the lady, is Excalibur, that is as much 
to say as Cut-steel. Ye say well, said 
the king, ask what ye will and ye shall 



have it, and it lie in my power to give it. 
Well, said the lady, I ask the head of 
the knight that hath won the sword, or 
else the damsel's head that brought it ; 
I take no force though I have both 
their heads, for he slew my brother, a 
good knight and a true, and that gentle- 
woman was causer of my father's death. 
Truly, said king Arthur, I may not 
grant neither of their heads with my 
worship, therefore ask what ye will else, 
and I shall fulfil your desire. I will ask' 
none other thing, said the lady. When 
Balin was ready to depart he saw the 
Lady of the lake that by her means had 
slain Balin's mother, and he had sought 
her three years, and when it was told 
him that she asked his head of king 
Arthur he went to her straight and said, 
Evil be you found, ye would have my 
head and therefore ye shall lose yours. 
And with his sword lightly he smote off 
her head before king Arthur. Alas ! for 
shame, said Arthur, why have you done 
so ? ye have shamed me and all my 
court, for this was a lady that I was 
beholden to, and hither she came under 
my safe conduct ; I shall never forgive 
you that trespass. Sir, said Balin, me 
forthinketh of your displeasure, for this 
same lady was the untruest lady living, 
and by enchantment and sorcery she 
hath been the destroyer of many good 
knights, and she was causer that my 
mother was burnt through her falsehood 
and treachery. What cause so ever ye 
had, said Arthur, ye should have for- 
borne her in my presence ; therefore, 
think not the contrary, ye shall repent 
it, for such another despite had I never 
in my court : therefore withdraw you 
out of my court in all haste that ye 
may. Then Balin took up the head of 
the lady, and bare it with him to his 
hostry, and there he met with his squire, 
that was sorry he had displeased king 
Arthur, and so they rode forth out of the 
town. Now, said Balin, we must part ; 
take thou this head and bear it to my 
friends, and tell them how I have sppd, 
and tell my friends in Northumberland 
that my most foe is dead. Also tell 
them how I am out of prison, and also 



4—- 



52 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



what adventure befel me at the getting 
of this sword. Alas, said the squire, ye 
are greatly to blame for to displease 
king Arthur. As for that, said Balin, I 
will hie me in all the haste that I may, 
to meet with king Ryons and destroy 
him, or else to die therefore ; and if it 
may hap me to win him, then will king 
Arthur be my good and gracious lord. 
Where shall I meet with you ? said the 
squire. In king Arthur's court, said 
! Balin. So his squire and he departed at 
that time. Then king Arthur and all the 
court made great dole, and had shame of 
the death of the Lady of the lake. Then 
the king buried her richly. 

CHAP. IV. ^ 

How Merlin told ths adventure of this 
damsel. 

At that time there was a knight the 
which was the king's son of Ireland, 
and his name was Lanceor, the which 
was an orgulous knight, and counted 
himself one of the best of the court, 
and he had great despite at Balin for 
the achieving of the sword, that any 
should be accounted more hardy, or 
of more prowess ; and he asked king 
Arthur if he would give him leave 
to ride after Balin, and to revenge the 
despite that he had done. Do your 
best, said Arthur, I am right wroth 
with Balin, I would he were quit of the 
despite that he hath done to me and to 
my court. Then this Lanceor went to 
his hostry to make him ready. In the 
meanwhile came Merlin unto the court of 
king Arthur, and there was told him the 
adventure of the sword, and the death of 
the Lady of the lake. Now shall I say 
you, said Merlin, this same damsel that 
here standeth, that brought the sword 
unto your court, I shall tell you the 
cause of her coming, — she was the 
falsest damsel that liveth. Say not so, 
said they. She hath a brother, a passing 
good knight of prowess and a full true 
man, and this damsel loved another 
knight that held her to paramour, and 
this good knight her brother met with 
the knight that held her to paramour. 



and slew him by force of his hands. 
When this false damsel understood this 
she went to the lady Lile of Avelion, 
and besought her of help, to be avenged 
on her own brother. And so this lady 
Lile of Avelion took her this sword, that 
she brought with her, and told there 
should no man pull it out of the sheath 
but if he be one of the best knights of 
this realm, and he should be hardy and 
full of prowess, and with that sword he 
should slay her brother. This was the 
cause that the damsel came into this 
court. I know it as well as ye. Would 
she had not come into this court, but 
she came never in fellowship of worship 
to do good, but alway great harm. And 
that knight that hath achieved the sword 
shall be destroyed by that sword, for the 
which will be great damage, for there 
liveth not a knight of more prowess 
than he is, and he shall do unto you, my 
lord Arthur, great honour and kindness, 
and it is great pity he shall not endure 
but a while, for of his strength and hardi- 
ness I know not his match living. 

CHAP. V. 

How Balin was pursued hy Sir Lanceor, 
knight of Ireland, and how he justed 
and slew him. 

So the knight of Ireland armed him i 
at all points, and dressed his shield on j 
his shoulder, and mounted upon horse- j 
back, and took his spear in his hand, i 
and rode after a great pace as much as 
his horse might go, and within a little 
space on a mountain he had a sight of 
Balin, and with a loud voice he cried, 
Abide knight, for ye shall abide whether 
ye will or nill, and the shield that is to- 
fore you shall not help. When Balin 
heard the noise he turned his horse 
fiercely, and said. Fair knight what 
will ye with me, will ye just with me ? 
Yea, said the Irish knight, therefore 
come I after you. Peradventure, said 
Balin, it had been better to have holden 
you at home, for many a man weneth 
to put his enemy to a rebuke, and oft 
it falleth to himself. Of what court be 
ye sent from ? said Balin. I am come 



HOW BALIN MET BALAN. 



53 



from the court of king Arthur, said the 
knight of Ireland, that come hither for 
to revenge the despite ye did this day 
to king Arthur and to his court. Well, 
said Balin, I see well I must have ado 
with you, that me forthinketh for to 
grieve king Arthur, or any of his court ; 
and your quarrel is full simple, said 
Balin, unto me, for the lady that is 
dead did me great damage, and else 
would I have been loth as any knight 
that liveth for to slay a lady. Make 
you ready, said the knight Lanceor, and 
dress you unto me, for that one 
shall abide in the field. Then they 
took their spears, and came together as 
much as their horses might drive, and the 
Irish knight smote Balin on the shield, 
that all went shivers of his spear, and 
Balin hit him through the shield, and 
the hauberk perished, and so pierced 
through his body and the horse croup, 
and anon turned his horse fiercely and 
drew out his sword, and wist not that 
he had slain him, and then he saw him 
lie as a dead corpse. 

CHAP. VL 

How a damsel, which was love to Lanceor, 
slew herself for love; and how Balin met 
with his brother Balan. 

Then he looked by him, and was 
ware of a damsel that came riding full 
fast as the horse might ride, on a fair 
palfrey. And when she espied that 
Lanceor was slain she made sorrow out 
of measure, and said, O Balin, two 
bodies thou hast slain and one heart, 
and two hearts in one body, and two 
souls thou hast lost. And therewith 
she took the sword from her love that 
lay dead, and fell to the ground in a 
swoon. And when she arose she made 
great dole out of measure, the w^hich 
sorrow grieved Balin passingly sore, and 
he went unto her for to have taken the 
sword out of her hand, but she held it 
so fast he might not take it out of her 
hand unless he should have hurt her, 
and suddenly she set the pommel to the 
ground, and rove herself through the 
body. When Balin espied her deeds, he 



was passing heavy in his heart, and 
ashamed that so fair a damsel had de- 
stroyed herself for the love of his death. 
Alas, said Bahn, me repenteth sore the 
death' of this knight for the love of this 
damsel, for there was much true love 
betwixt them both. And for sorrow 
he might no longer hold him, but 
turned his horse and looked towards 
a great forest, and there he was ware, 
by the arms, of his brother Balan. And 
when they Avere met they put off their 
helms and kissed together, and wept for 
joy and pity. Then Balan said, I little 
wend to have met with you at this 
sudden adventure; I am right glad of 
your deliverance out of your dolorous 
prisonment, for a man told me in the 
castle of Four Stones that ye were de- 
livered, and that man had seen you in 
the court of king Arthur, and therefore 
I came hither into this country, for here 
I supposed to find you. Anon the knight 
Balin told his brother of his adventure of 
the sword, and of the death of the Lady 
of the lake, and how king Arthur was 
displeased with him : Wherefore he 
sent this knight after me that lieth here 
dead ; and the death of this damsel 
grieveth me sore. So doth it me, said 
Balan, but ye must take the adventure 
that God will ordain you. Truly, said 
Balin, I am right heavy that my lord 
Arthur is displeased with me, for he is 
the most worshipful knight that reigneth 
now on earth, and his love J will get or 
else I will put my life in adventure ; for 
the king Ryons lieth at a siege at the 
castle Terrabil, and thither will we draw 
in all haste, to prove our worship and 
prowess upon him. I will well, said 
Balan, that we do, and we will help 
each other as brethren ought to do. 

CHAP. VII. 
How a dwarf reproved Balin for the death 
of Lanceor, and how liing Mark of Corn- 
wall found them, and made a tomb over 
them. 

Now go we hence, said Balin, and 
well be we met. The meanwhile as 
they talked there came a dwarf from 
the city of Camelot on horseback, as 



54 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



much as he might, and found the dead 
bodies, wherefore he made great dole, 
and pulled out his hair for sorrow, and 
said, Which of you knights have done 
this deed ? Whereby askest thou it, 
said Balan. For I would wit it, said 
the dwarf. It was I, said Balin, that 
slew this knight in my defence, for 
hither came he to chase me, and either 
I must slay him or he me; and this 
damsel slew herself for his love, which 
repenteth me, and for her sake I shall 
owe all women the better love. Alas, 
said the dwarf, thou hast done great 
damage unto thyself, for this knight 
that is here dead was one of the most 
valiantest men that lived, and trust 
well, Balin, the kin of this knight will 
chase you through the world till tb.ey 
have slain you. As for that, said Balin, 
I fear not greatly, but I am right heavy 
that I have displeased my lord king 
Arthur for the death of this knight. So 
as they talked together there came a 
king of Cornwall riding, the which hight 
king Mark. And when he saw these 
two bodies dead, and understood how 
they were dead by the two knights 
above said, then made the king great 
sorrow for the true love that was betwixt 
them, and said, I will not depart till I 
have on this earth made a tomb. And 
there he pight his pavilions, and sought 
through all the country to find a tomb, 
and in a church they found one was 
fair and rich, and then the king let put 
them both in the earth, and put the 
tomb upon them, and wrote the names 
of them both on the tomb : — How here 
lieth Lanceor the king's son of Ireland 
that at his own request was slain by the 
hands of Balin, and how his lady 
Colombe slew herself with her love's 
sword for dole and sorrow. 

CHAP. VIII. 

How Merlin prophesied that two the best 
knights of the world should fight there, 
which were Sir Lmicelot and Sir Tris- 
tram. 

The meanwhile as this was adoing, in 
came Merlin to king Mark, and seeing ' 



all his doing said. Here shall be in this 
same place the greatest battle betwixt 
two knights that was or ever shall be, 
and the truest lovers, and yet none of 
them shall slay other. And there Merlin 
wrote their names upon the tomb with 
letters of gold that should fight in that 
place, whose names were Launcelot de 
Lake, and Tristram. Thou art a mar- 
vellous man, said king Mark unto 
Merlin, that speakest of such marvels, 
thou art a rude man and an unlikely 
to tell of such deeds; what is thy 
name? said king Mark. At this time, 
said Merlin, I will not tell, but at that 
time when Sir Tristraiii is taken with his 
sovereign lady, then ye shall hear and 
know my name, and at that time ye 
shall hear tidings that shall not please 
you. Then said Merlin to Balin, Thou 
hast done thyself great hurt, because 
thou savedst not this lady that slew her- 
self, that might have saved her and thou 
would est. By the faith of my body, 
said Balin, I might not save her, for she 
slew herself suddenly. Me repenteth, 
said Merlin, because of the death of that 
lady thou shalt strike a stroke the most 
dolorous that ever man struck, except i 
the stroke of our Lord, for thou shalt 
hurt the truest knight and the man of 
most worship that now liveth, and 
through that stroke three kingdoms 
shall be in great poverty, misery, and 
wretchedness, twelve year, and the 
knight shall not be whole of that 
wound many years. Then MerHn took 
his leave of Balin. And Balin said, If I 
wist it were sooth that ye say, I should 
do such a perilous deed as that I would 
slay myself to make thee a liaV. There- 
with Merlin vanished away suddenly. 
And then Balin and his brother took 
their leave of king Mark. First, said 
the king, tell me your name. Sir, said 
Balan, ye may see he beareth two 
swords, thereby ye may call him the 
knight with the two swords. And so 
departed king Mark unto Qamelot to 
king Arthur, and Balin tookN^he way 
to king Ryons : and as they rode 
together they met with Merlin disguised, 
but they knew him not. Whither 



HOW THEY TOOK KING RVONS. 



55 



ride you ? said Merlin. We have little 
to do, said the two knights, to tell 
thee : But what is thy name ? said Balin. 
At this time, said Merlin, I will not 
tell it thee. It is evil seen, said the 
two knights, that thou art a true man 
that thou wilt not tell thy name. As 
for that, said Merlin, be it as it be may, 
I can tell you wherefore ye ride this 
way, for to meet king Ryons, but it will 
not avail you without ye have my 
counsel. Ah, said Balin, ye are Merlin : 
we will be ruled by your counsel. Come 
on, said Merlin, ye shall have great 
worship, and look that ye do knightly, 
for ye shall have great need. As for 
that, said Balin, dread you not, we will 
do what we may. 

CHAP. IX. 
How Balin and his brother by the counsel 
of Merlin took king Ryons, afid brought 
him to king Arthur. 

Then Merlin lodged them in a wood 
among leaves beside the highway, and 
took off the bridles of their horses and 
put them to grass, and laid them down 
to rest them till it was nigh midnight. 
Then Merlin bad them rise and make 
them ready, for the king was nigh them, 
that was stolen away from his host with 
a threescore horses of his best knights, 
and twenty of them rode tofore, to 
warn the lady De Vance that the king 
w-as coming. Which is the king? said 
Balin. Abide, said Merlin, here in a 
straight way ye shall meet with him; 
and therewith he shewed Balin and his 
brother where he rode. Anon Balin 
and his brother met with the king, and 
smote him down, and wounded him 
fiercely, and laid him to the ground, and 
there they slew on the right hand and 
the left hand, and slew more than forty 
of his men ; and the remnant fled. Then 
went they again to king Ryons, and 
would have slain him had he not yielded 
him unto their grace. Then said he thus : 
Knights full of prowess, slay me not, for 
by my life ye may win, and by my death 
ye shall win nothing. Then said these 
two knights. Ye say sooth and truth; 



and so laid him on an horse-litter. 
With that Merlin was vanished, and 
came to king Arthur aforehand, and 
told him how his most enemy was 
taken and discomfited. By whom ? said 
king Arthur. By two knights, said 
Merlin, that would please your lord- 
ship, and to-morrow ye shall know what 
knights they are. Anon after came the 
knight with the two swords, and Balan 
his brother, and brought with them king 
Ryons of North Wales, and there de- 
livered him to the porters, and charged 
them with ham; and so they two re- 
turned again in the dawning of the 
day. King Arthur came then to king 
Ryons and said, Sir king ye are wel- 
come : by what adventure come ye 
hither? Sir, said king Ryons, I came 
hither by an hard adventure. Who won 
you? said king Arthur. Sir, said the 
king, the knight with the two swords 
and his brother, which are two mar- 
vellous knights of prowess. I know 
them not, said Arthur, but much I am 
beholden to them. Ah, said Merlin, 
I shall tell you, it is Balin that achieved 
the sword, and his brother Balan, a good 
knight, there liveth not a better of prow- 
ess and of worthiness ; and it shall be the 
greatest dole of him that ever I knew of 
knight, for he shall not long endure. 
Alas, said king Arthur, that is great 
pity, for I am much beholden unto him, 
and I have ill deserved it unto him for 
his kindness. Nay, said Merlin, he shall 
do much more for you, and that shall ye 
know in haste. But, Sir, are ye pur- 
veyed? said Merlin; for to-mom the 
host of Nero, king Ryons's brother, will 
set on you or noon with a great host, 
and therefore make you ready, for I will 
depart from you. 

CHAP. X. 

How king Arthur had a battle against 
Nero and king Lot of Orkney, and hew 
king Lot was deceived by Merlin, and 
how twelve kings were slain. 

Then king Arthur made ready his 
host in ten battles, and Nero was 
ready in the field afore the castle 



56 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK 11. 



Terrabil with a great host, for he had 

ten battles, with many more people 

than Arthur had. Then Nero had the 

vaward with the most party of his 

people: and Merlin came to king Lot 

of the Isle of Orkney, and held him 

j with a tale of prophecy till Nero and 

1 his people were destroyed. And there 

i Sir Kay the seneschal did passingly well, 

i that the days of his life the worship 

I went never from him. AndSir Hervisde 

i Revel did marvellous deeds with king 

! Arthur, and king Arthur slew that day 

i twenty knights and maimed forty. At 

! that time came in the knight with the 

I two swords, and his brother Balan, but 

j they two did so marvellously that the 

j king and all the knights marvelled of 

I them, and all they that beheld them 

I said they were sent from heaven as 

i angels, or devils from hell: and king 

i Arthur said himself they were the best 

i knights that ever he saw, for they gave 

1 such strokes that all men had wonder of 

j them. In the meanwhile came one to 

I king Lot, and told him while he tarried 

I there Nero was destroyed and slain with 

I all his people. Alas, said king Lot, I 

! am ashamed, for by my default there is 

j many a worshipful man slain, for and we 

had been together there had been none 

1 host under the heaven that had been 

! able for to have matched with us : this 

I deceiver with his prophecy hath mocked 

j me. All that did Merlin, for he knew 

i well that if king Lot had been with 

his body there at the first battle, king 

Arthur had been slain and all his people 

destroyed. And well Merlin knew that 

one of the kings should be dead that 

day; and loth was Merlin that any of 

them both should be slain, but of the 

twain he had lever king Lot had been 

slain than king Arthur. 

Now what is best to do? said king 

Lot of Orkney, whether is me better to 

treat with king Arthur or to fight, for 

the greater part of our people are slain 

and destroyed. Sir, said a knight, set 

on Arthur, for they are weary and for- 

j foughten, and we be fresh. As for me, 

j said king Lot, I would that every knight 

I would do his part as I would do mine. 



And then they advanced banners and 
smote together, and all to-shivered their 
spears ; and Arthur's knights, with the 
help of the knight with the two swords 
and his brother Balan, put king Lot and 
his host to the worse. But alway king 
Lot held him in the foremost front, and 
did marvellous deeds of arms, for all his 
host was borne up by his hands, for he 
abode all knights. Alas, he might not 
endure, the which was great pity, that so 
worthy a knight as he was should be 
overmatched, that of late time afore 
had been a knight of king Arthur's, 
and wedded the sister of king Arthur, 
and for the wrong king Arthur did 
him therefore king Lot held against 
Arthur. So there was a knight that 
was called the knight with the strange 
beast, and at that time his right name 
was called Pellinore, the which was a 
good man of prowess, and he smote a 
mighty stroke at king Lot as he fought 
with all his enemies, and he failed of his 
stroke, and he smote the horse's neck, 
that he fell to the ground with king Lot ; 
and therewith anon Sir Pellinore smote 
him a great stroke through the helm and 
head unto the brows. And then all the 
host of Orkney fled for the death of 
king Lot; and there were slain many 
mothers' sons. But king Pellinore bare 
the blame of the death of king Lot, 
wherefore Sir Gawaine revenged the 
death of his father the tenth year after 
he was made knight, and slew king 
Pellinore with his own hands. Also 
there were slain at that battle twelve 
kings on the side of king Lot with Nero, 
and all were buried in the church of 
Saint Stephen's, in Camelot; and the 
remnant of knights and of other were 
buried in a great rock. 

CHAP. XL 

Of the interment of twelve kings, and cf 
the prophecy of Merlin, and how Balin 
should give the dolorous stroke. 

So at the interment came king Lot's 
wife Morgause, with her four sons, 
Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Ga- 
reth. Also there came thither king 



OF THE KNIGHT THAT RODE INVISIBLE. 



hi 



Uriens, Sir Ewaine's father, and Morgan 
le Fay his wife, that was king Arthur's 
sister. All these came to the inter- 
ment. But of all these twelve kings king 
Arthur let make the tomb of king Lot 
passing richly, and made his tomb 
by his own ; and then king Arthur let 
make twelve images of laton and copper, 
and over-gilt it with gold, in the 
sign of twelve kings, and each one of 
them held a taper of wax that burnt 
day and night : and king Arthur was 
made in sign of a figure standing above 
them with a sword drawn in his hand : 
and all the twelve figures had coun- 
tenance like unto men that were over- 
come. All this made Merlin by his 
subtil craft ; and there he told the king. 
When I am dead these tapers shall burn 
no longer ; and soon after the adventures 
of the Sangreal shall come among you 
and be achieved. Also he told Arthur 
how Balin the worshipful knight shall 
give the dolorous stroke, whereof shall 
fall great vengeance. O where is Balin, 
and Balan, and Pellinore? said king 
Arthur. As for Pellinore, said Merlin, 
he will meet with you soon: and as 
for Balin, he will not be long from you : 
but the other brother will depart ; ye 
shall see him no more. By my faith, 
said Arthur, they are two marvellous 
knights, and namely Balin passeth of 
prowess of any knight that ever I found, 
for much beholden am I unto him ; 
would that he would abide with me. 
Sir, said Merlin, look ye keep well the 
scabbard of Excalibur, for ye shall lo'se 
no blood while ye have the scabbard 
upon you, though ye have as many 
wounds upon you as ye may have. So 
after, for great trust Arthur betopk the 
scabbard to Morgan le Fay his sister, 
and she loved another knight better 
than her husband king Uriens or king 
Arthur, and she would have had Arthur 
her brother slain, and therefore she let 
make another scabbard like it by en- 
chantment, and gave the scabbard of 
Excalibur to her love. And the knight's 
name was called Accolon, that after had 
near slain king Arthur. After this 
Merlin told unto king Arthur of the 



prophecy that there should be a great 
battle beside Salisbury, and that Mordred 
his sister's son should be against him. 
Also he told him that Basdemegus was 
his cousin, and germain unto king 
Uriens. 

CHAP. XII. 

How a sorrowful knight cafne to/ore king 
Arthir, and how Balin fetched him, and 
how that knight was slain by a knight 
invisible. 

Within a day or two king Arthur 
was somewhat sick, and he let pitch his 
pavilion in a meadow, and there he laid 
him down on a pallet to sleep, but he 
might have no rest. Right so he heard 
a great noise of an horse, and therewith 
the king looked out at the porch of the 
pavilion, and saw a knight coming even 
by him making great dole. Abide, fair 
sir, said Arthur, and tell me wherefore 
thou makest this sorrow ? Ye may 
little amend me, said the knight, and so 
passed forth to the castle of Meliot. 
Anon after there came Balin, and when 
he saw king Arthur he alight off his 
horse, and came to the king on foot, 
and saluted him. By my head, said 
Arthur,' ye be welcome. Sir, right now 
came riding this way a knight making 
great mourn, for what cause I cannot 
tell, wherefore I would desire of you of 
your courtesy and of your gentleness to 
fetch again that knight either by force 
or else by his good-will. I will do 
more for your lordship than that, said 
Balin : and so he rode more than a pace, 
and found the knight with a damsel in 
a forest, and said, Sir knight, ye must 
come with me unto king Arthur, for to 
tell him of your sorrow. That will I 
not, said the knight, for it will scathe 
me greatly, and do you none avail. Sir, 
said Balin, I pray you make you ready, 
for ye must go with me, or else I must 
fight with you and bring you by force, 
and that were me loth to do. Will ye 
be my warrant, said the knight, and I 
go with you? Yea, said Balin, or else 
I will die therefore. And so he made 
him ready to go with Balin, and left the 
damsel still. And as they were even 



58 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



afore king Arthur's pavilion there came 
one invisible, and smote this knight that 
went with Balin throughout the body 
with a spear. Alas, said the knight, I 
am slain under your conduct, with a 
knight called Garlon : therefore take 
my horse, that is better than your's, 
and ride to the damsel, and follow the 
quest that I was in as she will lead you, 
and revenge my death when ye may. 
That shall I do, said Balin, and that I 
make a vow unto knighthood. And so 
he departed from this knight with great 
sorrow. So king Arthur let bury this 
knight richly, and made a mention on 
his tomb how there was slain Herlews 
le Berbeus, and by whom the treachery 
was done, — the knight Garlon. But ever 
the damsel bare the truncheon of the 
spear with her that Sir Herlews was slain 
witlial. 

CHAP. XIII. 

How Balin and the damsel 77iet with a 
knight which was in likewise slain, and 
how the datnsel bled for the cust07n of 
a castle. 

So Balin and the damsel rode into 
a forest, and there met with a knight 
that had been on hunting, and that 
knight asked Balin for what cause he 
made so great sorrow. Me list not to 
tell you, said Balin. Now, said the 
knight, and I were armed as ye be I 
would fight with you. That should 
little need, said Balin ; I am not afeard 
to tell you ; and told him all the cause, 
how it was. Ah, said the knight, is 
this all : here I ensure you by the faith 
of my body never to depart from you 
while my life lasteth. And so they 
went to the hostry and armed them, and 
so rode forth with Balin. And as they 
came by an hermitage even by a church- 
yard, there came the knight Garlon in- 
visible, and smote this knight, Perin de 
Mountbeliard, through the body with 
a spear. Alas, said the knight, I am 
slain by this traitor knight that rideth 
invisible. Alas, said Balin, it is not 
the first despite that he hath done me. 
And there the hermit and Balin buried 



the knight under a rich stone, and a 
tomb royal. And on the morn they 
found letters of gold written, how Sir 
Gawaine shall revenge his father's 
death, king Lot, on the king Pellinore. 
Anon after this Balin and the damsel 
rode till they came to a castle, and 
there Balin alighted, and he and the 
damsel wend to go into the castle. 
And anon as Balin came within the 
castle gate the portcullis fell down at 
his back, and there fell many men about 
the damsel, and would have slain her. 
When Balin saw that, he was sore 
grieved, for he might not help the dam- 
sel. And then he went up into the 
tower, and lept over the walls into the 
ditch, and hurt him not ; and anon he 
pulled out his sword, and would have 
foughten with them. And they all said 
nay, they would not fight with him, for 
they did nothing but the old custom of 
the castle, and told him how their lady 
was sick, and had lain many years, and 
she might not be whole, but if she had 
a dish of silver full of blood of a maid 
and a king's daughter ; and therefore • 
the custom of this castle is that there 
shall no damsel pass this way, but that 
she shall bleed of her blood in a silver 
dish full. Well, said Balin, she shall 
bleed as much as she may bleed, but I 
will not lose the life of her while my 
life lasteth. And so Balin made her to 
bleed by her good-will, but her blood 
helped not the lady. And so he and 
she rested there all night, and had there 
right good cheer, and on the morn they 
passed on their ways. And as it telleth 
after in the Sangreal, that Sir Perci- 
vale's sister helped that lady with her 
blood, whereof she died. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Balin met with that knight named 
Garlon at a feast, and there he slew 
him, to have his blood to heal therewith 
the so?i of his host. 

Then they rode three or four days 
and never met with adventure, and by 
liap they were lodged with a gentleman 
that was a rich man and well at ease. 



HOW BALIN SMOTE THE DOLOROUS STROKE. 



59 



And as they sat at their supper, Balin 
heard one complain grievously by him 
in a chair. \\ hat is this noise ? said 
Balin. Forsooth, said his host, I will 
tell you. I was but late at a justing, and 
there I justed with a knight that is 
brother unto king Pellam, and twice 
smote I him down; and then he pro- 
mised to quit me on my best friend, and 
so he wounded my son, that cannot be 
whole till I have of that knight's blood, 
and he rideth alway invisible, but I 
know not his name. Ah, said Balin, 
I know that knight, his name is Garlon, 
he hath slain two knights of mine in 
the same manner, therefore I had rather 
meet with that knight than all the 
gold in this realm, for the despite he 
hath done me. Well, said his host, I 
shall tell you, king Pellam of Listeneise 
hath made cry in all this country a great 
feast that shall be within these twenty 
days, and no knight may come there 
but if he bring his wife with him, or his 
love ; and that knight, your enemy and 
mine, ye shall see that day. Then I 
promise you, said Balin, part of his 
blood to heal your son wdthal. We 
will be fonvard to-morrow, said his 
host. So on the morn they rode all 
three toward Pellam, and they had fif- 
teen days' journey or they came thither; 
and that same day began the great feast. 
And so they alight and stabled their 
horses, and went into the castle; but 
Balin's host might not be let in because 
he had no lady. Then Balin was well 
received, and brought unto a chamber 
and unarmed him, and they brought 
him robes to his pleasure, and would 
have had Balin leave his sword behind 
him. Nay, said Balin, that do I not, 
for it is the custom of my country 
a knight alway to keep his weapon with 
him, and that custom will I keep, or 
else I will depart as I came. Then they 
gave him leave to wear his sword, and 
so he went unto the castle, and w^as set 
among knights of worship,, and his lady 
afore him. Soon Balin asked a knight. 
Is there not a knight in this court whose 
name is Garlon ? Yonder he goeth, said 
a knight, he with the black face; he 



is the marvellest knight that is now 
living, for he destroyeth many good 
knights, for he goeth invisible. Ah, 
well, said Balin, is that he? Then 
Balin advised him long : — If I slay him 
here I shall not escape, and if I leave 
him now peradventure I shall never 
meet with him again at such a good time, 
and much harm he will do and he live. 
Therewith this Garlon espied that this 
Balin beheld him, and then he came 
and smote Balin on the face with the 
back of his hand, and said. Knight, why 
beholdest thou me so ? for shame, 
therefore, eat thy meat, and do that 
thou came for. Thou sayest sooth, said 
Balin, this is not the first despite that 
thou hast done me, and therefore I will 
do that I came for ; and rose up fiercely, 
and clave his head to the shoulders. 
Give me the truncheon, said Balin to 
his lady, wherewith he slew your knight. 
Anon she gave it him, for alway she 
bare the truncheon with her ; and there- 
with Balin smote him through the body, 
and said openly, \yith that truncheon 
thou hast slain a good knight, and now 
it sticketh in thy body. And then Balin 
called to him his host, saying. Now may 
ye fetch blood enough to heal your son 
withal. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Balin fovght with Mug Pellam, and 
how his sword brake, and how he gat 
a spear wherewilh he itnote the dolorous 
stroke. \ 

Anon all the knights arose from the ' 
table for to set on Balin. And king i 
Pellam himself arose up fiercely, and I 
said. Knight, hast thou slain my brother ? j 
thou shalt die therefore or thou depart, j 
Well, said Balin, do it yourself. Yes, I 
said king Pellam, there shall no man i 
have ado with thee but myself, for the 
love of my brother. Then king Pellam | 
caught in his hand a grim w'eapon and 
smote eagerly at Balin, but Balin put 
the sword betwixt his head and the 
stroke, and therewith his sword burst 
in sunder. And when Balin was wea- 
ponless he ran into a chamber for to 



6o 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



seek some weapon, and so from cham- 
ber to chamber, and no weapon he 
could find, and alway king Pellam after 
him. And at the last he entered into 
a chamber that was marvellously well 
dight and richly, and a bed arrayed with 
cloth of gold, the richest that might be 
thought, and one lying therein, and 
thereby stood a table of clean gold, 
with four pillars of silver that bare up 
the table, and upon the table stood 
a marvellous spear, strangely wrought. 
And when Bahn saw that spear he gat 
it in his hand, and turned him to king 
Pellam, and smote him passingly sore 
with that spear, that king Pellam fell 
down in a swoon, and therewith the 
castle roof and walls brake and fell to 
the earth, and Balin fell down so that 
he might not stir foot nor hand. And 
so the most part of the castle that 
was fallen down through that dolorous 
stroke lay upon Pellam and Balin three 
days. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and 
saved a knight that would have slain 
himself/or love. 

Then Merlin came thither and took 
up Balin, and gat him a good horse, 
for his was dead, and bade him ride 
out of that country. I would have toy 
damsel, said Balin, Lo, said Merfin; 
where she lieth dead. And king Pellam 
lay so many years sore wounded, and 
might never be whole, till Galahad, the 
haut prince, healed him in the quest of 
the Sangreal ; for in that place was part 
of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that Joseph of Arimathea brought into 
this land, and there himself lay in that 
rich bed. And that was the same spear 
that Longius smote our Lord to the 
heart; and king Pellam was nigh of 
Joseph's kin, and that was the most 
worshipful man that lived in those days, 
and great pity it was of his hurt, for 
that stroke turned to great dole, trouble, 
and grief. 

Then departed Balin from Merlin, and 
said. In this world we meet never no 



more. So he rode forth through the fair 
countries and cities, and found the people 
dead, slain on every side. And all that 
were alive cried, O Balin, thou hast 
caused great damage in these countries ; 
for the dolorous stroke thou gavest 
unto king Pellam three countries are 
destroyed, and doubt not but the ven- 
geance will fall on thee at the last. 
When Balin was past those countries he 
was passing glad. So he rode eight 
days or he met with adventure. And at 
the last he came into a fair forest in 
a valley, and was ware of a tower, and 
there beside he saw a great horse of 
war tied to a tree, and there beside sat 
a fair knight on the ground and made 
great mourning ; and he was a likely 
man and a well made. Balin said, God 
save you, why be ye so heavy ? tell me, 
and I will amend it and I may to my 
power. Sir knight, said he again, 
thou doest me great grief, for I was in 
merry thoughts, and now thou putlest 
me to more pain. Balin went a little 
from him, and looked on his horse ; 
then heard Balin him say thus : Ah, fair 
lady, why have ye broken my promise, 
for thou promisedst me to meet me here 
by noon, and I may curse thee that 
ever ye gave me this sword, for with 
this sword I slay myself, — and pulled it. 
out; and therewith Balin start unto him, 
and took him by the hand. Let go my 
hand, said the knight, or else I shall 
slay thee. That shall not need, said 
Balin, for I shall promise you my help 
to get you your lady, and ye will tell me 
where she is. What is your name ? said 
the knight. My name is Balin le Savage. 
Ah, sir, I know you well enough; ye 
are the knight with the two swords, and 
the man of most prowess of your hands 
living. What is your name ? said Balin. 
My name is Garnish of the Mount, a 
poor man's son, but by my prowess and 
hardiness a duke hath made me knight, 
and gave me lands ; his name is duke 
Hermel, and his daughter is she that I 
love, and she me as I deemed. How 
far is she hence ? said Balin. But six 
mile, said the knight. Now ride we 
hence, said these two knights. So they 



CHAP. XVII. 



HOW BALIN MET HIS BROTHER UNKNOWN. 



rode more than a pace till they came to 
a fair castle, well walled and ditched. 
I will into the castle, said Balin, and 
look if she be there. So he went in, 
and searched from chamber to chamber, 
and found her bed, but she was not 
there ; then Balin looked into a fair 
little garden, and under a laurel tree 
he saw her lie upon a quilt of green 
samite, and a knight with her, and under 
their heads grass and herbs. When 
Balin saw her with the foulest knight 
that ever he saw, and she a fair lady, 
then Balin went through all the cham- 
bers again, and told the knight how he 
found her, as she had slept fast, and so 
brought him in the place where she lay 
fast sleeping. 

CHAP. XVII. 

Hoiv that knight slew his love and a knight 
with her, and after how he slew himself 
with his own sword, and how Balin rode 
toward a castle where he lost his life. 

And when Garnish beheld her so 
lying, for pure sorrow his mouth 
and nose burst out on bleeding, and 
with his sword he smote off both their 
heads, and then he made sorrow out of 
measvire and said. Oh Balin, much sor- 
row hast thou brought unto me, for 
hadst thou not shewn me that sight I 
should have passed my sorrow. P^or- 
sooth, said Balin, I did it to this intent 
that it should better thy courage, and 
that ye might see and know her false- 
hood, and to cause you to leave love 
of such a lady : truly I did none other 
but as I would ye did to me. Alas ! said 
Garnish, now is my sorrow double that 
I may not endure: now have I slain 
that I most loved in all my life. And 
therewith suddenly he rove himself on 
his own sword unto the hilts. When 
Balin saw that, he dressed him thence- 
ward, lest folks would say he had slain 
them, and so he rode forth, and within 
three days he came by a cross, and 
thereon were letters of gold written that 
said, It is not for any knight alone to 
ride toward this castle. Then saw he an 



old hoar gentleman coming toward him 
that said, BaUn le Savage, thou passest 
thy bounds to come this way, therefore 
turn again and it will avail thee. And 
he vanished away anon ; and so he heard 
an horn blow as it had been the death 
of a beast. That blast, said Bahn, is 
blown for me, for I am the prize, yet am 
I not dead. Anon withal he saw an 
hundred ladies and many knights, that 
welcomed him with fair semblance, and 
made him passing good cheer unto his 
sight, and led him into the castle, and 
there was dancing and minstrelsy, and 
all manner of joy. Then the chief lady 
of the castle said, Knight with the two 
swords, ye must have ado with a knight 
hereby that keepeth an island, for there 
may no man pass this way but he must 
just or he pass. That is an unhappy 
custom, said Balin, that a knight may 
not pass this way but if he just. Ye shall 
not have ado but with one knight, said 
the lady. Well, said Balin, since I shall, 
thereto am I ready, but travelling men 
are oft weary, and their horses also ; but 
though my horse be weary my heart is 
not weary. I would be fain there my 
death should be. Sir, said a knight to 
Balin, me thinketh your shield is not 
good, I will lend you a bigger: there- 
fore I pray you: and so he took the 
shield that was unknown and left his 
own, and so rode unto the island, and 
put him and his horse in a great boat, 
and when he came on the other side he 
met with a damsel, and she said, O 
knight Balin, why have ye left your own 
shield ? alas ! ye have put your self in 
great danger, for by your shield ye 
should have been known : it is great 
pity of you as ever was of knight, for of 
thy prowess and hardiness thou hast no 
fellow living. Me repenteth, said Balin, 
that ever I came within this country, 
but I may not turn now again for shame, 
and what adventure shall fall to me, be 
it life or death, I will take the adventure 
that shall come to me. And then he 
looked on his armour, and understood 
he was well armed, and therewith 
blessed liim, and mounted upon his 
horse. 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



CHAP. XVIII. 

How Balin met with his brother Balan, and 
how each of them slew other unknown, till 
they were wounded to death. 

Then afore him he saw come, riding 
out of a castle a knight, and his horse 
trapped all red, and himself in the same 
colour. When this knight in the red 
beheld Balin, him thought it should be 
his brother Balin because of his two 
swords, but because he knew not his 
shield, he deemed it was not he. And 
so they aventred their spears, and 
came marvellously fast together, and 
they smote each other in the shields, but 
their spears and their course v/ere so big 
that it bare down horse and man, that 
they lay both in a swoon. But Balin 
was bruised sore with the fall of his 
horse, for he was weary of travel. And 
Balan was the first that rose on foot 
and drew his sword, and went toward 
Balin, and he arose and went against 
him, but Balan smote Balin first, and 
he put up his shield, and smote him 
through the shield and cleft his helm. 
Then Bahn smote him again with that 
unhappy sword, and well nigh had 
felled his brother Balan, and so they 
fought there together till their breaths 
failed. Then Balin looked up to the 
castle, and saw the towers stand full of 
ladies. So they went to battle again, 
and wounded each other dolefully, and 
then they breathed oft-times, and so 
went unto battle, that all the place 
there as they fought was blood red. 
And at that time there was none of 
them both but they had either smitten 
other seven great wounds, so that the 
least of them might have been the death 
of the mightiest giant in this world. 
Then they went to battle again so mar- 
vellously that doubt it was to hear of 
that battle for the great bloodshedding, 
and their hauberks unnailed, that naked 
they were on every side. At the last 
Balan, the younger brother, withdrew 
him a little and laid him down. Then 
said Balin le Savage, What knight art 
thou? for or now I found never no 



knight that matched me. My name is, 
said he, Balan, brother to the good 
knight Balin. Alas ! said Balin, that 
ever I should see this day. And there- 
with he fell backward in a swoon. 
Then Balan went on all four feet and 
hands, and put off the helm of his 
brother, and might not know him by 
the visage it was so full hewen and 
bled ; but when he awoke he said, O 
Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me 
and I thee, wherefore all the wide world 
shall speak of us both. Alas ! said 
Balan, that ever I saw this day, that 
through mishap I might not know you, 
for I espied well your two swords, but 
because ye had another shield I deemed 
you had been another knight. Alas ! 
said Balin, all that made an unhappy 
knight in the castle, for he caused me to 
leave mine own shield to our both's 
destruction, and if I might live I would 
destroy that castle for ill customs. That 
were well done, said Balan, for I had 
never grace to depart from them since 
that I came hither, for here it happed me 
to slay a knight that kept this island, and 
since might I never depart, and no more 
should ye brother, and ye might have 
slain me as ye have, and escaped your- 
self with the life. Right so came the 
lady of the tower with four knights and 
six ladies and six yeomen unto them, 
and there she heard how they made 
their moan either to other, and said, : 
We came both out of one womb, and so \ 
shall we lye both in one pit. So Balan I 
prayed the lady of her gentleness, for : 
his true service that she would buiy ' 
them both in that same place there the , 
battle was done. And she granted 
them with weeping it should be done 
richly in the best mariner. Now will ye 
send for a priest, that we may receive our ; 
sacrament and receive the blessed body f 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yea, said 
the lady, it shall be done. And so she 
sent for a priest and gave them their i 
rites. Now, said Balin, when we are | 
buried in one tomb, and the mention | 
made over us how two brethren slew | 
each other, there will never good knight 
nor good man see our tomb but they 



HOW BALIN AND BALAN DIED. 



63 



will pray for our souls. And so all the 
ladies and gentlewomen wept for pity. 
Then, anon Balan died, but Balin died 
not till the midnight after, and so were 
they buried both, and the lady let make 
a mention of Balan how he was there 
slain by his brother's hands, but she 
knew not Balin's name. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Merlin buried them both in one tomb, 
and of Balin's sword. 

In the mom came Merlin and let 
write Balin's name upon the tomb, with 
letters of gold, That here lieth Balin le 
Savage, that was the knight with the 
two swords, and he that smote the do- 
lorous stroke. Also Merlin let make 
there a bed, that there should never man 
lye therein but he went out of his wit, 
yet Launcelot de Lake fordid that bed 
through his nobleness. And anon after 
Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword 
and took off the pommel, and set on 
another pommel. So Merlin bad a 
knight that stood afore him to handle 
that sword, and he assayed, and he 
might not handle it. Then Merlin 
laughed/ Why laugh ye? said the 
knight. This is the cause, said Merlin : 
there shall never man handle this 
sword but the best knight of the world, 
and that shall be Sir Launcelot, or else 
Galahad his son, and Launcelot with 
this sword shall slay the man that in 
the world he loved best, that shall be 
Sir Gawaine. All this he let write in 



the pommel of the sword. Then Merlin 
let make a bridge of iron and of steel 
into that island, and it was but half a 
foot broad, and there shall never man 
pass that bridge, nor have hardiness to 
go over, but if he were a passing good 
man and a good knight without treachery 
or villainy. Also the scabbard of Balin's 
sword Merlin left it on this side the 
island that Galahad should find it. Also 
Merlin let make by his subtilty that 
Balin's sword was put in a marble stone 
! standing upright as great as a millstone, 
J and the stone hoved always above the 
j water, and did many years, and so by 
adventure it swam down the stream to 
the city of Camelot, that is in English 
Winchester. And that same day Gala- 
had the haut prince came with king 
Arthur, and so Galahad brought with 
him the scabbard, and achieved the 
sword that was there in the marble 
stone hoving upon the water. And on 
Whitsunday he achieved the sword, as 
it is rehearsed in the book of the San- 
greal. Soon after this was done Merlin 
came to king Arthur and told him of 
the dolorous stroke that Balin gave to 
king Pellam, and how Balin and Balan 
fought together the most marvellous 
battle that ever was heard of, and how 
they were buried both in one tomb. 
Alas ! said king Arthur, this is the 
greatest pity that ever I heard tell of 
two knights, for in the world I know 
not such two knights. Thus endeth the 
tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren 
born in Northumberland, good knights, t 



.^cquitur lit liber. 



64 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



'^f^z 'S^Strb t3ooL 



CHAP. I. 

Hotv king Arthur took a wife, mid wedded 
Guenever daughter to Leodegrance, 
king of the land of Cameliard, with 
whom he had the Round Table. 
In the beginning of Arthur, after he 
was chosen king by adventure and by- 
grace, — for the most part of the barons 
knew not that he was Uther Pendragon's 
son, but as Merhn made it openly 
known, — many kings and lords made 
great war against him for that cause; 
but well Arthur overcame them all ; for 
the most part of the days of his life he 
was ruled much by the counsel of Mer- 
lin. So it fell on a time king Arthur 
said unto Merlin, My barons will let me 
have no rest, but needs I must take a 
wife, and I will none take but by 
thy counsel and by thine advice. 
It is well done, said Merhn, that 
ye take a wife, for a man of your 
bounty and nobleness should not be 
without a wife. Now is there any that 
ye love more than another? Yea, said 
king Arthur, I love Guenever, the 
daughter of king Leodegrance, of the 
land of Cameliard, which Leodegrance 
holdeth in his house the Table Round, 
that ye told he had of my father, Uther. 
And this damsel is the most valiant and 
fairest lady that I know living, or yet 
that ever I could find. Sir, said Merlin, 
as of her beauty and fairness she is one 
of the fairest on live. But and ye loved 
her not so well as ye do, I could find 
you a damsel of beauty and of goodness 
that should like you and please you, and 
your heart were not set ; but there as a 
man's heart is set, he will be loth to 
return. That is truth, said king Arthur. 
But Merlin warned the king covertly 
that Guenever was not wholesome for 
him to take to wife, for he warned him 
that Launcelot should love her, and she 



him again ; and so he turned his tale to 
the adventures of the Sangreal. Then 
Merlin desired of the king to have men 
with him that should enquire of Guen- 
ever, and so the king granted him. And 
Merlin went forth to king Leodegrance 
of Cameliard, and told him of the desire 
of the king that he would have unto his 
wife Guenever his daughter. That is to 
me, said king Leodegrance, the best 
tidings that ever I heard, that so worthy 
a king of prowess and noblesse will 
wed my daughter. And as for my 
lands I will give him wisj I it might 
please him, but he hath lands enough, 
him needeth none, but I shall send him 
a gift shall please him much more, for I 
shall give him the Table Round, the 
which Uther Pendragon gave me, and 
when it is full complete there is an hun- 
dred knights and fifty. And as for an 
hundred good knights I have myself, but 
I lack fifty, for so many have been slain 
in my days. And so king Leodegrance 
delivered his daughter Guenever unto 
Merlin, and the Table Round, with the 
hundred knights, and so they rode 
freshly, with great royalty, what by 
water and what by land, till that they 
came nigh unto London. 

CHAP. n. 

! How the knights of the Round Table were 

I ordained, and their sieges blessed by the 

bishop of Canterbury. 

When king Arthur heard of the 

coming of Guenever and the hundred 

knights with the Table Round, then 

I king Arthur made great joy for their 

I coming, and that rich present, and 

said openly. This fair lady is passing 

welcome unto me, for I have loved her 

long, and therefore there is nothing 

so lief to me. And these knights with 

the Round Table please me more than 

right great riches. And in all haste the 



HOW SIR TOR WAS MADE KNIGHT. 



65 



king let ordain for the marriage and the 
coronation in the most honourablest 
wise that could be devised. Now Mer- 
lin, said king Arthur, go thou and espy 
me in all this land fifty knights which 
be of most prowess and worship. 
Within short time Merlin had found 
such knights that should fulfil twenty 
and eight knights, but no more he 
could find. Then the bishop of Can- 
terbury was fetched, and he blessed 
the sieges with great royalty and de- 
votion, and there set the eight and 
twenty knights in their sieges. And 
when this was done Merlin said, Fair 
sirs, ye must all arise and come to king 
Arthur for to do him homage ; he will 
have the better will to maintain you. 
And so they arose and did their homage. 
And when they were gone Merlin found 
in every siege letters of gold that told the 
knights' names that had sitten therein. 
But two sieges were void. And so anon 
came young Gawaine, and asked the 
king a gift. Ask, said the king, and I 
shall grant it you. Sir, I ask that ye 
will make me knight that same day ye 
shall wed fair Guenever. I will do it 
with a good will, said king Arthur, and 
do unto you all the worship that I may, 
for I must by reason you are my nephew, 
my sister's son. 

CHAP. III. 

Hovj a poor man riding upon a lean mare 
desired king Arthur to make his son 
knight. 

FoRTHWiTHAL there came a poor man 
into the court, and brought with him a 
fair young man of eighteen year of age, 
riding upon a lean mare. And the poor 
man asked all men that he met, Where 
shall I find king Arthur ? Yonder he is, 
said the knights, wilt thou anything 
with him? Yea, said the poor man, 
therefore I came hither. Anon as he 
came before the king, he saluted him 
and said : O king Arthur, the flower of 
all knights and kings, I beseech Jesu 
save thee : Sir, it was told me that at 
this time of your marriage ye would give 
any m.an the gift that he would ask out, 
except that were unreasonable. That 



is truth, said the king, such cries I let 
make, and that will I hold, so it impair 
not my realm nor mine estate. Ye say 
well and graciously, said the poor man : 
Sir, I ask nothing else but that ye will 
make my son here a knight. It is a 
great thing that thou askest of me: 
what is thy name ? said the king to the 
poor man. Sir, my name is Aries the 
cowherd. Whether cometh this of thee 
1 or of thy son ? said the king. Nay Sir, 
j said Aries, this desire cometh of my son 
I and not of me. For I shall tell you I 
! have thirteen sons, and all they will fall 
{ to what labour I put them to, and will 
I be right glad to do labour, but this child 
will do no labour for me, for anything 
I that my wife or I may do, but always 
he will be shooting or casting darts, and 
glad for to see battles, and to behold 
knights ; and always day and night he 
desireth of me to be made a knight. 
What is thy name ? said the king unto 
the young man. Sir, my name is Tor. 
The king beheld him fast, and saw he 
was passingly well visaged and passingly 
well made of his years. Well, said king 
Arthur to Aries the cowherd, fetch all 
thy sons afore me that I may see thein. 
And so the poor man did, and all were 
shapen much like the poor man : tut 
Tor was not like none of them all in 
shape nor in countenance, for he was 
much more than any of them. Now, 
said king Arthur unto the cowherd, 
where is the sword that he shall be 
made knight withal? It is here, said 
Tor. Take it out of the sheath, said 
the king, and require me to make you 
a knight. Then Tor alight off his 
mare, and pulled out his sword, kneel- 
ing, and requiring the king that he 
would make him knight, and that he 
might be a knight of the Table Round. 
As for a knight I will make you ; and 
therewith smote him in the neck with 
the sword, saying, Be ye a good knight, 
and so I pray to God so ye may be, and 
if ye be of prowess and of worthiness ye 
shall be a knight of the Table Round. 
Now Merlin, said Arthur, say whether 
this Tor shall be a good knight or no. 
Yea, sir, he ought to be a good knight. 



66 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



for he is come of as good a man as any 
is on live, and of king's blood. How so, 
sir? said the king. I shall tell you, 
said Merlin : this poor man, Aries the 
cowherd, is not his father, he is nothing 
1 like to him, for king Pellinore is his 
father, I suppose nay, said the cow- 
herd. Fetch thy wife afore me, said 
Merlin, and she shall not say nay. 
Anon, the wife was fetched, which was 
a fair house-wife, and there she answered 
Merlin full womanly. And there she 
told the king and Merlin that v/hen she 
was a maid, and went to milk kine, 
There met with me a stern knight, and 
half by force he held me, and after that 
time was born my son Tor, and he took 
away from me my greyhound that I had 
that time with me, and said that he 
would keep the greyhound for my love. 
Ah, said the cowherd, I wend not this, 
but I may believe it well, for he had 
never no taches of me. Sir, said Tor to 
Merlin, dishonour not my mother. Sir, 
said Merlin, it is more for your worship 
than hurt, for your father is a good 
man and a king, and he may right well 
advance you and your mother, for ye 
were begotten or ever she was wedded. 
That is truth, said the wife. It is the 
less grief to me, said the cowherd, 

CHAP, IV. 
How Sir Tor was known for son of king 

Pellinore, and bow Gawaine was made 

knight. 

So on the morn king Pellinore came 
to the court of king Arthur, which 
had great joy of him, and told him of 
Tor, how he was his son, and how he 
had made him knight at the request of 
the cowherd. When king Pellinore be- 
held Tor he pleased him much. So the 
king made Gawaine knight, but Tor was 
the first he made at the feast. What is 
the cause, said king Arthur, that there 
be two places void in the sieges ? Sir, 
said Merlin, there shall no man sit in 
those places but they that shall be of 
most worship. But in the Siege Perilous 
there shall no man sit therein but one, 
and if there be any so hardy to do it he 
shall be destroyed, and he that shall sit 



there shall have no fellow. And there- 
with Merlin took king Pellinore by the 
hand, and in the one hand next the two 
sieges and the Siege Perilous he said, in 
open audience. This is your place, and 
best ye are worthy to sit therein of any 
that is here. Thereat sat Sir Gawaine 
in great envy, and told Gaheris his 
brother. Yonder knight is put to great 
worship, the which grieveth me sore, for 
he slew our father king Lot, therefore I 
will slay him, said Gawaine, with a 
sword that was sent me that is passing 
trenchant. Ye shall not so, said Ga- 
heris, at this time ; for at this time I am 
but a squire, and when I am made 
knight I will be avenged on him ; and 
therefore brother it is best ye suffer till 
another time, that we may have him out 
of the court, for and we did so we 
should trouble tTiis high feast. I will 
well, said Gawaine, as ye will, 

CHAP. V, 

How at the feast of the wedding of king 
Arthur to Guenever, a white hart came 
into the hall, and thirty couple hounds, 
and how a brachet pinched the hart, 
which was taken away. 

Then was the high feast made ready, 
and the king was wedded at Camelot 
unto Dame Guenever in the church of 
Saint Stephen's, with great solemnity. 
And as every man was set after his de- 
gree. Merlin went to all the knights of 
the Round Table, and bad them sit still, 
that none of them remove. For ye shall 
see a strange and a marvellous adven- ; 
ture. Right so as they sat there came 
running in a white hart into the hall, 
and a white brachet next him, and thirty 
couple of black running hounds came 
after with a great cry, and the hart went 
about the Table Round, As he went by 
other boards, the white brachet bit him 
by the haunch and pulled out a piece, 
where through the hart lept a great leap 
and overthrew a knight that sat at the 
board side, and therewith the knight 
arose and took up the brachet, and so 
went forth out of the hall, and took his 
horse and rode his way with the brachet. 



AtlM^^'' 



OF SIR GAWAINE AND THE HART. 



67 



Right so anon came in a lady on a 
white palfrey, and cried aloud to king 
Arthur, Sir, suffer me not to have this 
despite, for the brachet was mine that 
the knight led away. I may not do 
therewith, said the king. With this 
there came a knight riding all armed on 
a great horse, and took the lady away 
with him with force, and ever she cried 
and made great dole. When she was 
gone the king was glad, for she made 
such a noise. Nay, said Merlin, ye may 
not leave these adventures so lightly, for 
these adventures must be brought again 
or else it would be disworship to you 
and to your feast. I will, said the king, 
that all be done by your advice. Then, 
said Merlin, let call Sir Gawaine, for he 
must bring again the white hart. Also, 
sir, ye must let call Sir Tor, for he must 
bring again the brachet and the knight, 
or else slay him. Also let call king 
Pellinore, for he must bring again the 
lady and the knight, or else slay him. 
And these three knights shall do mar- 
vellous adventures or they come again. 
Then were they called all three as it 
rehearseth afore, and every each of them 
took his charge, and armed them surely. 
But Sir Gawaine had the first request, 
and therefore we will begin at him. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch again 
the hart, and how two brethren fought 
each against other for the hart. 

Sir Gawaine rode more than a pace, 
and Gaheris his brother rode with him 
instead of a squire, to do him service. 
So as they rode they saw two knights 
fight on horseback passing sore, so Sir 
Gawaine and his brother rode betwixt 
them, and asked them for what cause 
they fought so. The one knight an- 
swered and said : We fight for a simple 
matter, for we two be two brethren, 
born and begotten of one man and of 
one woman. Alas ! said Sir Gawaine, 
why do ye so ? Sir, said the elder, 
there came a white hart this way this 
day, and many hounds chased him, and 
a white brachet was alway next him. 



^ 



and we understood it was adventure 
made for the high feast of king Arthur, 
and therefore I would have gone after 
to have won me worship ; and here my 
younger brother said he would go after 
the hart, for he was a better knight 
than I ; and for this cause we fell at 
debate, and so we thought to prove 
which of us both was better knight. 
This is a simple cause, said Sir Ga- 
waine; strange men ye should debate 
withal, and not brother with brother; 
therefore but if ye will do by my counsel 
I will have ado with you — that is, ye shall 
yield you unto me, and that ye go unto 
king Arthur and yield you unto his grace. 
Sir knight, said the two brethren, we are 
for-foughten, and much blood have we 
lost through our wilfulness, and there- 
fore we would be loth to have ado with 
you. Then do as I will have you, said 
Sir Gawaine. We will agree to fulfil your 
will ; but by whom shall we say that 
we be thither sent ? Ye may say, by 
the knight that followeth the quest of 
the hart that was white. Now what is 
your name ? said Sir Gawaine. Sor- 
,louse of the Forest, said the elder. And 
my name is, said the younger, Brian of 
the Forest. And so they departed and 
went to the king's court, and Sir 
Gawaine on his quest. And as Ga- 
waine followed the hart by the cry cf 
the hounds, even afore him there was 
a great river, and the hart swam over ; 
and as Sir Gawaine would follow after 
there stood a knight over the other side, 
and said. Sir knight, come not over after 
this hart, but if thou wilt just with me. 
I will not fail as for that, said Sir Ga- 
waine, to follow the quest that I am in, 
and so made his horse to swim over the 
water, and anon they gat their spears 
and ran together full hard, but Sir Ga- 
waine smote him off his horse, and then 
he turned his horse and bad him yield 
him. Nay, said the knight, not so, 
though thou have the better of me on 
horseback : I pray thee, valiant knight, 
alight afoot, and match we together 
with swords. What is your name ? said 
Sir Gawaine. Allardin of the Isles, said 
the other. Then either dressed their 

5—2 



68 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



shields and smote together, but Sir Ga- 
waine smote him so hard through the 
hehn that it went to the brains, and the 
knight fell down dead. Ah ! said Gaheris, 
that was a mighty stroke of a young 
knight. 

CHAP. VII. 

How the hart was chased into a castle, and 
there slain, and how Gawaine slew a 
lady. 

Then Gawaine and Gaheris rode more 
than a pace after the white hart, and 
let slip at the hart three couple of grey- 
hounds, and so they chased the hart 
into a castle, and in the chief place 
of the castle they slew the hart : Sir 
Gawaine and Gaheris followed after. 
Right so there came a knight out of a 
chamber with a sword drawn in his 
hand and slew two of the greyhounds, 
even in the sight of Sir Gawaine, and 
the remnant he chased them with his 
sword out of the castle. And when he 
came again, he said, O my white hart, 
me repenteth that thou art dead, for my 
sovereign lady gave thee to me, and evil 
have I kept thee, and thy death shall be 
dear bought and I live. And anon he 
went into his chamber and araied him, 
and came out fiercely, and there met he 
with Sir Gawaine. Why have ye slain 
my hounds, said Sir' Gawaine, for they 
did but their kind, and lever I had ye 
had wroken your anger upon me than 
upon a dumb beast. Thou sayst truth, 
said the knight, I have avenged me on 
thy hounds, and so I will on thee or 
thou go. Then Sir Gawaine alight 
afoot, and dressed his shield, and they 
stroke together mightily, and clave their 
shields, and stoned their helms, and 
brake their hauberks that the blood ran 
down to their feet. At the last Sir 
Gawaine smote the knight so hard that 
he fell to the earth ; and then he cried 
mercy and yielded him, and besought 
him as he v/as a knight and gentle- 
man to save his life. Thou shalt die, 
said Sir Gawaine, for slaying of my 
hounds. I will make amends, said the 
knight, unto my power. Sir Gawaine 
would no mercy have, but unlaced his 



helm to have striken off his head ; right 
so came his lady out of a chamber 
and fell over him, and so he smote off 
her head by misadventure. Alas ! said 
Gaheris, that is foul and shamefully 
done ; that shame shall never from you. 
Also, ye should give mercy unto them 
that ask mercy ; for a knight without 
mercy is without worship. Sir Gawaine 
was so astonied at the death of this fair 
lady that he wist not what he did, and 
said unto the knight. Arise, I will give 
thee mercy. Nay, nay, said the knight, 
I care for no mercy now, for thou hast 
slain my love and my lady that I loved 
best of all earthly things. Me repenteth 
it, said Sir Gawaine, for I thought to 
strike unto thee. But novv^ thou shalt 
go unto king Arthur, and tell him of 
thine adventures, and how thou art 
overcome by the knight that went in 
the quest of the white hart. I take no 
force, said the knight, whether I live or 
die. But so for dread of death he swore 
to go unto king Arthur : and he made 
him to bear one greyhound before him 
on his horse, and another behind him. 
What is your name, said Sir Gawaine, 
or we part ? My name is, said the knight, 
Ablamor of the Marsh. So he departed 
toward Camelot. 

CHAP. vni. 

How four knights fought against Sir Ga- 
waine and Gaheris, and how they were 
overcome, and their lives saved at the 
request of four ladies. 

And Sir Gawaine went into the castle, 
and made him ready to lie there all 
night, and would have unarmed him. 
What will ye do ? said Gaheris, will ye 
unarm you in this country? ye may 
think ye have many enemies here. They 
had not sooner said that word but 
there came four knights well armed, and 
assailed Sir Gawaine hard, and said unto 
him. Thou new made knight, thou hast 
shamed thy knighthood, for a knight 
without mercy is dishonoured. Also 
thou hast slain a fair lady to thy great 
shame to the world's end, and doubt 
thou not thou shalt have great need of 



-K 



OF SIR TOR AND THE BRACHET. 



Cg 



mercy or thou depart from us. And 
therewith one of them smote Sir Ga- 
Avaine a great stroke, that nigh he fell to 
the earth, and Gaheris smote him again 
sore, and so they were on the one side 
and on the other, that Sir Gawaine and 
Gaheris were in jeopardy of their lives ; 
and one with a bow, an archer, smote 
Sir Gawaine through the arm that it 
grieved him wonderly sore. And as 
they should have been slain, there 
came four ladies and besought the 
knights of grace for Sir Gawaine. And 
goodly at the request of the ladies they 
gave Sir Gawaine and Gaheris their 
lives, and made them to yield them as 
prisoners. Then Gawaine and Gaheris 
made great dole. Alas ! said Sir Ga- 
waine, mine arm grieveth me sore, I am 
like to be maimed ; and so made his 
complaint piteously. Early on the mor- 
row there came to Sir Gawaine one of 
the four ladies that had heard all his 
complaint, and said. Sir knight, what 
cheer ? Not good, said he. It is your 
own default, said the lady, for ye have 
done a passing foul deed in the slaying 
of the lady, the which will be great 
villainly unto you. Butbe ye not of king 
Arthur's kin ? said the lady. Yes, truly, 
said Sir Gawaine. What is your name ? 
said the lady, ye must tell it me or ye 
pass. My name is Gawaine, the king 
Lot of Orkney's son, and my mother is 
king Arthur's sister. Ah, then are ye 
nephew unto king Arthur, said the lady, 
and I shall so speak for you that ye 
shall have conduct to go to king Arthur 
for his love. And so she departed and 
told the four knights how their prisoner 
was king Arthur's nephew, and his name 
is Sir Gawaine, king Lot's son of Ork- 
ney. And they gave him the hart's 
head, because it was in his quest. Then 
anon they delivered Sir Gawaine under 
this promise, that he should bare the 
dead lady with him in this manner : the 
head of her was hanged about his neck, 
and the whole body of her lay before 
him on his horse mane. Right so rode 
he forth unto Camelot. And anon as 
he was come, Merlin desired of king 
Arthur that Sir Gawaine should be 



sworn to tell of all his adventures, and 
how he slew the lady, and how he would 
give no mercy unto the knight, where 
thiough the lady was slain. Then the 
king and the queen were greatly dis- 
pleased with Sir Gawaine for the slaying 
of the lady. And there by ordinance 
of the queen there was set a quest of 
ladies on Sir Gawaine, and they judged 
him for ever while he lived to be with 
all ladies, and to fight for their quarrels ; 
and that ever he should be courteous, 
and never to refuse mercy to him that 
asketh mercy. Thus was Gawaine sworn 
upon the four Evangelists that he should 
never be against lady nor gentlewoman, 
but if he fought for a lady and his ad- 
versary fought for another. And thus 
endeth the adventure of Sir Gawaine, 
that he did at the marriage of king 
Arthur. Amen, 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Tor rode after the knight with 
the brachet, and of his adventure by the 
way. 

When Sir Tor was ready he mounted 
upon his horse's back, and rode after 
the knight with the brachet. So as he 
rode he met with a dwarf suddenly that 
smote his horse on the head with a staff, 
that he went backward his spear's length. 
Why dost thou so ? said Sir Tor. For 
thou shalt not pass this way, but if thou 
just with yonder knights of the pavilions. 
Then was Sir Tor ware where two pa- 
vilions were, and great spears stood out, 
and two shields hung on trees by the 
pavilions. I may not tarry, said Sir 
Tor, for I am in a quest that I must 
needs follow. Thou shalt not pass, said 
the dwarf; and therewithal he blew his 
horn. Then there came one armed on 
horseback, and dressed his shield, and 
came fast toward Tor, and he dressed 
him against him, and so ran together 
that Sir Tor bare him from his horse. 
And anon the knight yielded him to his 
mercy : But, sir, 1 have a fellow in yon- 
der pavilion that will have ado with you 
anon. He shall be welcome, said Sir 
Tor. Then was he ware of another 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



knight coming with great force, and 
each of them dressed to other that 
marvel it was to see : but the knight 
smote Sir Tor a great stroke in the 
midst of the shield that his spear all 
to-shivered, and Sir Tor smote him 
through the shield so low that it went 
through the side of the knight, but the 
stroke slew him not. And therewith 
Sir Tor alight and smote him on the 
helm a great stroke, and therewith the 
kni"-ht yielded him, and besought him 
of mercy. I will well, said Sir Tor ; but 
thou and thy fellow must go unto king 
Arthur, and yield you prisoners unto 
him. By whom shall we say are we 
thither sent? Ye shall say by the 
knight that went in the quest of the 
knight that went with the brachet. Now 
what be your two names ? said Sir Tor. 
My name is, said the one, Sir Felot of 
Langduk. And my name is, said the 
other. Sir Petipase of Winchelsea. Now 
go ye forth, said Sir Tor, and God speed 
you and me. Then came the dwarf and 
said unto Sir Tor : I pray you give me 
a gift. I will well, said Sir Tor : ask. 
I ask no more, said the dwarf, but that 
ye will suffer me to do you service, for 
I will serve no more recreant knights. 
Take an horse, said Sir Tor, and 
ride on with me. I wot ye ride after 
the knight with the white brachet, and 
I shall bring you where he is, said the 
dwarf. And so they rode throughout a 
forest, and at the last they were ware 
of two pavilions even by a priory, with 
two shields, and the one shield was 
renewed with white, and the other 
shield was red. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Tor found the brachet with a lady, 
and how a knight assailed him for the 
said brachet. 

Therewith Sir Tor alighted and gave 
the dwarf his glaive, and so came to the 
white pavilion, and saw three damsels 
lie in it on one pallet sleeping. And so 
he went to the other pavihon, and there 
he found a lady lying sleeping therein. 
But there was the white brachet, that 



bayed at her fast, and therewith the lady 
awoke and went out of the pavilion, and 
all her damsels. But anon as Sir Tor 
espied the white brachet he took her 
by force, and took her to the dwarf. 
What, will ye so, said the lady, take my 
brachet from me? Yea, said Sir Tor, 
this brachet have I sought from king 
Arthur's court hither. Well, said the 
lady, knight, ye shall not go far with 
her but that ye shall be met, and 
grieved. I shall abide what adventure 
that Cometh, by the grace of God, and 
so mounted upon his horse and passed 
on his way toward Camelot ; but it 
was so near night he might not pass 
but little farther. Know ye any lodg- 
ing ? said Tor. I know none, said the 
dwarf, but here beside is an hermitage, 
and there ye must take lodging as ye 
find. And within awhile they came to 
the hermitage and took lodging; and 
was there grass, oats, and bread, for 
their horses ; soon it was sped, and full 
hard was their supper ; but there they 
rested them all the night till on the 
morn, and heard a mass devoutly, and 
took their leave of the hermit, and Sir 
Tor prayed the hermit to pray for him. 
He said he would, and betook him to 
God : and so he mounted on horseback, 
and rode towards Camelot a long while. 
With that they heard a knight call loud 
that came after them, and he said. 
Knight, abide and yield my brachet 
that thou tookest from my lady. Sir 
Tor returned again and beheld him how 
he was a seemly knight and well horsed, 
and well armed at all points ; then Sir 
Tor dressed his shield, and took his 
spear in his hands, and the other came 
fiercely upon him and smote both horse 
and man to the earth. Anon they arose 
lightly and drew their swords as eagerly 
as lions, and put their shields afore them, 
and smote through the shields, and the 
cantels fell off of both parts. Also they 
hewed their helms, that the hot blood 
ran out, and the thick mails of their 
hauberks they carved and rove in sunder, 
that the hot blood ran to the earth, and 
both they had many wounds and were 
passing weary. But Sir Tor espied that 



HOW ABELLEUS LOST HIS HEAD. 



71 



the other knight fainted, and then he 
sued fast upon him, and doubled his 
strokes, and made him go to the earth 
on the one side. Then Sir Tor bad him 
yield him. That will I not, said Abelleus, 
while my life lasteth and the soul is with- 
in my body, unless that thou wilt give 
me the brachet. That will I not do, 
said Sir Tor, for it was my quest 
to bring again thy brachet, thee, or 
both. 

CHAP. XL 

How Sir Tor overcatne the knight, and 
how he lost his head at the request of 
a lady. 

With that came a damsel riding on 
a palfrey as fast as she might drive and 
cried with a loud voice unto Sir Tor. 
What will ye with me ? said Sir Tor. 
I beseech thee, said the damsel, for king 
Arthur's love, give me a gift ; I require 
thee, gentle knight, as thou art a gentle- 
man. Now, said Sir Tor, ask a gift, 
and I will give it you. Gramercy, said 
the damsel, Now, I ask the head of the 
false knight Abelleus, for he is the most 
outrageous knight that liveth, and the 
greatest murderer. I am loth, said Sir 
Tor, of that gift 1 have given you ; 
let him make amends in that he hath 
trespassed unto you. Now, said the 
damsel, he may not, for he slew mine 
own brother afore mine own eyes, that 
was a better knight than he, and he 
had had grace ; and I kneeled half an 
hour afore him in the mire for to save 
my brother's life, that had done him 
no damage, but fought with him by 
adventure of arms, and so for all that 
I could do he struck off his head ; where- 
fore, I require thee, as thou art a tine 
knight, to give me my gift, or else I 
shall shame thee in all the court of king 
Arthur; for he is the falsest knight 
living, and a great destroyer of good 
knights. Then when Abelleus heard 
this, he was more afeard, and yielded 
him and asked mercy. I may not now, 
said Sir Tor, but if I should be found 
false of my promise, for while I would 
have taken you to mercy ye would none 



ask, but if ye had the brachet again that 
was my quest. And therewith he took 
off his helm, and he arose and fled, and 
Sir Tor after him, and smote off his 
head quite. Now, sir, said the damsel, 
it is near night ; I pray you come and 
lodge with me here at my place, it is 
here fast by. I will well, said Sir Tor ; 
for his horse and he had fared evil since 
they departed from Camelot, and so he 
rode with her, and had passing good 
cheer with her ; and she had a passing 
fair old knight to her husband that made 
him passing good cheer, and well eased 
both his horse and him. And on the 
mom he heard his mass, and brake his 
fast, and took his leave of the knight 
and of the lady, that besought him to 
tell them his name. Truly, he said, my 
name is Sir Tor, that late was made 
knight, and this was the first quest of 
arms that ever I did, to bring again that 
this knight Abelleus took away from 
king Arthur's court. O fair knight, 
said the lady and her husband, and ye 
come here in our marches, come and 
see our poor lodging, and it shall be 
always at your commandment. So Sir 
Tor departed, and came to Camelot on 
the third day by noon. And the king 
and the queen and all the court was 
passing fain of his coming, and made 
great joy that he was come again ; for 
he went from the court with little suc- 
cour, but as king Pellinore his father 
gave him an old courser, and king 
Arthur gave him armour and a sword, 
and else had he none other succour, but 
rode so forth himself alone. And then 
the king and the queen by Merlin's ad- 
vice made him to swear to tell of his 
adventures, and so he told and made 
proofs of his deeds as it is afore re- 
hearsed, wherefore the king and the 
queen made great joy. Nay, nay, said 
Merlin, these be but jests to that he shall 
do ; he shall prove a noble knight of 
prowess, as good as any is living, 
and gentle and courteous, and of good 
parts, and passing true of his pro- 
mise, and never shall outrage. WJheie 
through Merlin's words king Arthur 
gave him an earldom of lands that fell 



72 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



unto him. And here endeth the quest 
of Sir Tor, king Pellinore's son. 



CHAP. XII. 

Hoiv king Pellinore rode after the lady and 
the knight that led her away, and how 
a lady desired help of him, and hotu he 
fought with tivo knights for 'that lady, 
of whom he slew the one at the first 
stroke. 

Then king Pellinore armed him and 
mounted upon his horse, and rode more 
than a pace after the lady that the 
knight led away. And as he rode in 
a forest, he saw in a valley a damsel sit 
by a well, and a wounded knight in her 
arms, and Pellinore saluted her. And 
when she was ware of him, she cried 
over loud. Help me knight, for Christ's 
sake, king Pellinore ! And he would not 
tarry he was so eager in his quest, and 
ever she cried an hundred times after 
help. When she saw he would not abide, 
she prayed unto God to send him as 
much need of help as she had, and that 
he might feel it or he died. So as the 
book telleth, the knight died that there 
was wounded, wherefore the lady for 
pure sorrow slew herself with his 
sword. As king Pellinore rode in that 
valley he met with a poor man, a la- 
bourer : Sawest thou not, said Pellinore, 
a knight riding and leading away a 
lady ? Yea, said the poor man, I saw 
that knight, and the lady that made 
great dole. And yonder beneath in a 
valley there shall ye see two pavilions, 
i and one of the knights of the pavilions 
I challenged that lady of that knight, and 
I said she was his cousin near, wherefore 
I he should lead her no farther. And so 
I they waged battle in that quarrel ; the 
one said he would have her by force, 
I- and the other said he would have the 
I rule of her because he was her kinsman, 
j and would lead her to her kin. For 
[ this quarrel I left them fighting, and if 
i ye will ride a pace ye shall find them 
I fighting, and the lady was beleft with 
I the two squires in the pavilions. I thank 
I thee, said king Pellinore. Then he rode 



a wallop till that he had a sight of the 
two pavilions, and the two knights fight- 
ing. Anon he rode unto the pavilions, 
and saw the lady that was his quest, 
and said. Fair lady, ye must go with 
me unto the court of king Arthur. Sir 
knight, said the two squires that were 
AVith her, yonder are two knights that 
fight for this lady, go thither and depart 
them, and be agreed with them, and 
then ye may have her at your pleasure. 
Ye say well, said king Pellinore. And 
anon he rode betwixt them, and de- 
parted them, and asked them the cause 
why that they fought. Sir knight, said 
the one, I shall tell you. This lady is my 
kinswoman nigh, mine aunt's daughter, 
and when I heard her complain that she 
was with him maugre her head, I waged 
battle to fight with him. Sir knight, 
said the other, whose name was Flontz- 
lake of Wentland, and this lady I gat 
by my prowess of arms this day at 
Arthur's court. That is untruly said, 
said king Pellinore, for ye came in sud- 
denly there as we were at the high feast, 
and took away this lady or any man 
might him ready, and therefore it was 
my quest for to bring her again and 
you both, or else the one of us to abide 
in the field ; therefore the lady shall go 
with me, or I will die for it, for I have 
promised it king Arthur. And there- 
fore fight ye no more, for none of you 
shall have no part of her at this time, 
and if ye list to fight for her, fight with 
me, and I will defend her. Well, said 
the knights, • make you ready, and we 
shall assail you with all our power. 
And as king Pellinore would have put 
his horse from them. Sir Hontzlake rove 
his horse through with a sword, and 
said : Now art thou on foot as well we 
are. When king Pellinore espied that his 
horse was slain, lightly he leapt from 
his horse and pulled out his SM'ord, and 
put his shield afore him, and said : 
Knight, keep well thy head, for thou 
shalt have a buffet for the slaying of 
my horse. So king Pellinore gave him 
such a stroke upon the helm that he 
clave the head down to the chin, that 
he fell to the earth dead. 



OF PELLINORE AND THE LADY. 



CHAP. XIIL 

How king PelUnore gat the lady and 
brojight her to Cafnelot to the court of 
king Arthur. 

AxD then he turned him to the other 
knight that was sore wounded. But 
when he saw the other's buffet he would 
not fight, but kneeled down and said, 
Take my cousin, the lady, with you at 
your request, and I require you, as ye 
be a true knight, put her to no shame 
nor villainy. What, said king Pellinore, 
will ye not fight for her ? No, sir, said 
the knight, I will not fight with such a 
knight of prowess as ye be. Well, said 
Pellinore, ye say well, I promise you she 
shall have no villainy by me, as I am 
true knight ; but now me lacketh an 
horse, said Pellinore, but I will have 
Hontzlake's horse. Ye shall not need, 
said the knight, for I shall give you 
such a horse as shall please you, so that 
ye will lodge with me, for it is near 
night. I will well, said king Pellinore, 
abide with you all night. And there 
he had with him right good cheer, and 
fared of the best with passing good 
wine, and had meny rest that night. 
And on the morrow he heard a mass, 
and dined : and then was brought him 
a fair bay courser, and king Pellinore's 
saddle set upon him. Now, what shall 
I call you ? said the knight, inasmuch 
as ye have my cousin at your desire of 
your quest. Sir, I shall tell you ; my 
name is king Pellinore, of the Isles, and 
knight of the Table Round. Now I am 
glad, said the knight, that such a noble 
man shall have the rule of my cousin. 
What is now your name ? said Pellinore, 
I pray you tell me. Sir, my name is 
Sir Meliot of Logurs, and this lady my 
cousin, hight Nimue, and the knight 
that was in the other pavilion is my 
sworn brother, a passing good knight, 
and his name is Brian of the Isles, and 
he is full loth to do wrong, and full loth 
to fight with any man, but if he be sore 
sought on, so that for shame he may 
not leave it. It is marv-el, said Pellinore, 
that he will not have ado with me. Sir, 



he will not have ado with no man but if 
it be at his request. Bring him to the 
court, said Pellinore, one of these days. 
Sir, we will come together. And ye shall j 
be welcome, said king Pellinore, to the 
court of king Arthur, and greatly al- 
lowed for your coming. And so he 
departed with the lady, and brought 
her to Camelot. So as they rode in 
a valley it was full of stones, and there 
the lady's horse stumbled and threw 
her down, wherewith her arm was sore 
bruised, and near she swooned for pain. 
Alas ! sir, said the lady, mine arm is 
out of joint, where through I must 
needs rest me. Ye shall well, said king 
Pellinore. And so he alighted under 
a fair tree where was fair grass, and he 
put his horse thereto, and so laid him 
under the tree and slept till it was nigh 
night. And when he awoke he would 
have ridden. Sir, said the lady, it is so 
dark that ye may as well ride backward 
as forward. So they abode still and 
made there their lodging. Then Sir 
Pellinore put off his armour ; then a 
little afore midnight they heard the 
trotting of an horse. Be ye still, said 
king Pellinore, for we shall hear of 
some adventure. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How on the way king Pellinore beard two 
knights, as he lay by night in a valley, 
and of other adventures. 

And therewith he armed him. So 
right even afore him there met two 
knights, the one came from Camelot and 
the other from the north, and either sa- 
luted other. What tidings at Camelot ? 
said the one. By my head, said the other, 
there have I been, and espied the court 
of king Arthur, and there is such a 
fellowship they may never be broken, 
and well nigh all the world holdeth 
with Arthur, for there is the flower of 
chivalry. Now for this cause I am 
riding into the north to tell our chief- 
tains of the fellowship that is with- 
holden Avith king Arthur. As for that, 
said the other knight, I have brought 
a remedy with me, that is the greatest 



74 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



poison that ever ye heard speak of, and 
to Camelot will I with it, for we have 
a friend right nigh king Arthur, and 
well cherished, that shall poison king 
Arthur, for so he hath promised our 
chieftains, and received great gifts for 
to do it. Beware, said the other knight, 
of Merlin, for he knoweth all things by 
the devil's craft. Therefore will I not 
let it, said the knight. And so they 
departed in sunder. Anon after Pelli- 
nore made him ready, and his lady, and 
rode toward Camelot. And as they 
came by the well there as the wounded 
knight was and the lady, there he found 
the knight, and the lady eaten with lions 
or wild beasts all save the head, where- 
fore he made great sorrow, and wept 
passing sore, and said : Alas, her life 
might I have saved, but I was so fierce 
in my quest therefore I would not abide. 
Wherefore make ye such dole, said the 
lady. I wot not, said Pellinore, but my 
heart mourneth sore for the death of 
her, for she was a passing fair lady and 
a young. Now will ye do by mine ad- 
vice, said the lady, take this knight and 
let him be buried in an hermitage, and 
then take the lady's head and bear it 
with you unto Arthur. So king Pelli- 
nore took this dead knight on his 
shoulders and brought him to the her- 
mitage, and charged the hermit with 
the corpse, that service should be done 
for the soul ; and take his harness for 
your pain. It shall be done, said the 
hermit, as I will answer unto God. 

CHAP. XV. 

How when king Pellinore was come to 
Camelot he was sworn upon a book to 
tell truth of his quest. 

And therewith they departed and 
came there as the head of the lady lay 
with a fair yellow hair, that grieved 
king Pellinore passingly sore when he 
looked on it, for much he cast his heart 
on the visage. And so by noon they 
came to Camelot. And the king and 
the queen were passing fain of his 
coming to the court. And there he 
was made to swear upon the four 



Evangelists to tell the truth of his- 
quest from the one to the other. Ah, 
Sir Pellinore, said queen Guenever, ye 
were greatly to blame that ye saved 
not this lady's life. Madam, said Pelli- 
nore, ye were greatly to blame and ye 
would not save your own life and ye 
might ; but saving your pleasure, I was 
so furious in my quest that I would not 
abide, and that repenteth me, and shall 
the days of my life. Truly, said Merlin, 
ye ought sore to repent it, for the lady 
was your own daughter, and that knight 
that was dead was her love, and should 
have wedded her, and he was a right 
good knight of a young man, and would 
have proved a good man, and to this 
court was he coming, and his name was 
Sir Miles of the lands, and a knight 
came behind him and slew him with a 
spear, and his name is Loraine le Savage, 
a false knight and a coward ; and she 
for great sorrow and dole slew herself 
with his sword, and her name was Eleine. 
And because ye would not abide and 
help her, ye shall see your best friend 
fail you when ye be in the greatest dis- 
tress that ever ye were or shall be. And 
that penance God hath ordained you 
for that deed, that he that ye shall most 
trust to of any man alive, he shall leave 
you there as ye shall be slain. Me for- 
thinketh, said king Pellinore, that this 
shall betide, but God may well fordo 
destiny. 

Thus when the quest was done of the 
white hart, the which followed Sir Ga- 
waine; and the quest of the brachet 
followed of Sir Tor, Pellinore's son ; 
and the quest of the lady that the 
knight took away, the which king Pel- 
linore at that time followed ; then the 
king stablished all his knights, and 
them that were of lands not rich he gave 
them lands, and charged them never to 
do outrage, nor murder, and always to 
flee treason. Also, by no mean to be 
cruel, but to give mercy unto him that 
asketh mercy, upon pain of forfeiture 
of their worship and lordship of king 
Arthur for evermore ; and alway to do 
ladies, damsels, and gentlewomen suc- 
cour upon pain of death. Also, that no 



OF MERLIN'S DOTAGE. 



man take no battles in a wrongful 
quarrel for no law, nor for Avorld's 
goods. Unto this were all the knights 



sworn of the Table Round, both old 
and young. And every year were they 
sworn at the high feast of Pentecost. 



lExplicit Ij^e foetilisngc of fegnge ^rtj^uu 



:>^ 



'STfie JFourtJ i3ooL 



CHAP. I. 



Hoiv Merlin was assotted and doted on one 
of the ladies of the lake, a?id how hetoas 
shct in a rock under a stone, and there 
died. 

So after these quests of Sir Gawaine, 
Sir Tor, and king Pellinore, it fell so that 
Merlin fell in a dotage on the damsel 
that king Pellinore brought to court, 
and she was one of the damsels of the 
lake, that hight Nimue. But Merlin 
would let her have no rest, but always 
he would be with her. And ever she 
made Merlin good cheer till she had 
learned of him all manner thing that 
she desired ; and he was assotted upon 
her that he might not be from her. 
So on a time he told king Arthur 
that he should not dure long, but for 
all his crafts he should be put in the 
earth quick, and so he told the king 
many things that should befall, but 
always he warned the king to keep well 
his sword and tlie scabbard, for he told 
him how the sword and the scabbard 
should be stolen l^y a woman from him 
that he most tnisted. Also he told 
king Arthur that he should miss him : 
— Yet had ye lever than all your lands 
to have me again. Ah, said the king, 
since ye know of your adventure, purvey 
for it, and put away by your crafts that 
misadventure. Nay, said Merlin, it 
will not be. So he departed from the 
king. And within awhile the damsel 
of the lake departed, and Merlin went 
with her evermore wheresoever she went. 
And oft times Merlin would have had her 



privily away by his subtle crafts : then 
she made him to swear that he should 
never do none enchantment upon her if 
he would have his will. And so he 
sware : so she and Merlin went over the 
sea unto the land of Benwick, where as 
king Ban was king that had great war 
against king Claudas, and there Merlin 
spake with king Ban's wife, a fair lady 
and a good, and her name was Elaine, 
and there he saw young Launcelot. 
There the queen made great sorrow for 
the mortal war that king Claudas made 
on her lord and on her lands. Take 
none heaviness, said Merlin, for this 
same child within this twenty year shall 
revenge you on king Claudas, that all 
Christendom shall speak of it : and this 
same child shall be the man of most 
worship of the world, and his first name 
is Galahad, that know I well, said Mer- 
lin, and since ye have confirmed him, 
Launcelot. That is truth, said the 
queen, his first name was Galahad. O, 
Merlin, said the queen, shall I live to 
see my son such a man of prowess? 
Yea, lady, on my peril ye shall see it, 
and live many winters after. And so, 
soon after the lady and Merlin departed ; 
and by the way Merlin shewed her many 
wonders, and came into Cornwall. And 
always Merlin lay about the lady to 
have her love, and she was ever passing 
weary of him, and fain would have been 
delivered of him, for she was afeard of 
him because he was a devil's son, and 
she could not put him away by no 
means. 

And so on a time it happed that 
Merlin shewed to her in a rock whereas 



76 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



was a great wonder, and wrought by 
enchantment, that went under a great 
stone. So by her subtle working, she 
made Merlin to go under that stone to 
let her wit of the marvels there, but she 
wrought so there for him that he came 
never out for all the craft that he could 
do. And- so she departed and left 
Merlin. 

CHAP. 11. 

How Jive kings came into (his land to war 
against kin^ Arthur, and what counsel 
Arthur had against them. 
And as king Arthur rode to Camelot, 
and held there a great feast with mirth 
iand joy, so soon after he returned unto 
Cardoile, and there came unto Arthur 
new tidings that the king of Denmark, 
and the king of Ireland that was his 
brother, and the king of the Vale, and 
the king of Soleise, and the king of the 
Isle of Longtainse, all these five kings 
with a great host were entered into the 
land of king Arthur, and burnt and slew 
clean afore them both cities and castles, 
that it was pity to hear. Alas, said 
Arthur, yet had I never rest one month 
since I was crowned king of this land. 
Now shall I never rest till I meet with 
those kings in a fair field, that I make 
mine avow ; for my true liege people 
shall not be destroyed in my default, go 
■^th me who will, and abide who that 
will. Then the king let write unto king 
Pellinore, and prayed him in all haste to 
make him ready with such people as he 
might lightliest rear, and hie him after 
; in all haste. All the barons were 
privily wroth that the king would de- 
part so suddenly : but the king by no 
mean would abide, but made writing 
j unto them that were not there, and bad 
them hie after him, such as were not at 
that time in the court. Then the king 
j came to queen Guenever, and said, 
I Lady, make you ready, for ye shall go 
i with me, for I may not long miss you, 
j ye shall cause me to be the more hardy, 
what adventure so befall me : I will not 
! wit my lady to be in no jeopardy. Sir, 
I said she, I am at your commandment, 
I and shall be ready what time so ye be 



ready. So on the morn the king and 
the queen departed with such fellowship 
as they had, and came into the north 
into a forest beside Humber, and there 
lodged them. When the word and tiding 
came to the five kings above said, 
that king Arthur was beside Humber 
in a forest, there was a knight, brother 
unto one of the five kings, that gave 
them this counsel : Ye know well that 
Sir Arthur hath the flower of chivalry of 
the world with him, as it is proved by 
the great battle he did with the eleven 
kings ; and therefore hie unto him night 
and day till that we be nigh him, for 
the longer he tarrieth the bigger he 
is, and we ever the weaker ; and he is ' 
so courageous of himself, that he is 
come to the field with little people, and 
therefore let us set upon him or day, 
and we shall slay down of his knights 
there shall none escape. 

CHAP. III. 

How l-ing Arthur had ado with them a?id 
overthrew them, and slew the Jive lings, 
and made the remnant tojlee. 

Unto this counsel these five kings 
assented, and so they passed forth with 
their host through North Wales, and 
came upon Arthur by night, and set 
upon his host as the king and his 
knights were in their pavilions. King 
Arthur was unarmed, and had laid him 
to rest with his queen Guenever. Sir, 
said Sir Kay, it is not good we be 
unarmed : we shall have no need, said 
Sir Gawaine and Sir Griflet, that lay in 
a little pavilion by the king. With 
that they heard a great noise, and many 
cried treason, treason ! Alas, said king 
Arthur, we are betrayed! Unto arms, 
fellows! then he cried. So they were 
armed anon at all points. Then came 
there a wounded knight unto the king, 
and said, Sir, save yourself and my lady 
the queen, for our host is destroyed, and 
much people of ours slain. So anon 
the king and the queen and the three 
knights took their horses, and rode to- 
ward Humber to pass over it, and the 
water was so rough that they were 



HOW FIVE KINGS FOUGHT WITH ARTHUR. 



77 



afeard to pass over. Now may ye 
choose, said king Arthur, whether ye 
will abide and take the adventure on 
this side, for and ye be taken they will 
j slay you. It were me lever, said the 
queen, to die in the water than to fall 
in your enemies' hands, and there be 
slain. And as they stood so talking, 
Sir Kay saw the five kings coming on 
horseback by themselves alone, with 
their spears in their hands even toward 
them. Lo, said Sir Kay, yonder be the 
five kings, let us go to them and match 
them. That were folly, said Sir Gawaine, 
for we are but four and they be five. 
That is truth, said Sir Griflet. No force, 
said Sir Kay, I v/ill undertake for two of 
them, and then may ye three undertake 
for the other three. And therewithal 
Sir Kay let his horse run as fast as he 
might, and struck one of them through 
the shield and the body a fathom, that 
the king fell to the earth stark dead. 
That saw Sir Gawaine and ran unto 
another king so hard that he smote him 
through the body. And therewithal king 
Arthur ran to another, and smote him 
through the body with a spear, that he 
fell to the earth dead. Then Sir Griflet 
ran unto the fourth king, and gave him 
such a fall that his neck brake. Anon 
Sir Kay ran unto the fifth king, and 
smote him so hard on the helm that the 
stroke clave the helm and the head to 
the earth. That was well stricken, said 
king Arthur, and worshipfully hast thou 
holden thy promise, therefore I shall 
honour thee while that I live. And 
therewithal they set the queen in a 
barge into Humber, but always queen 
Guenever praised Sir Kay for his deeds, 
and said. What lady that ye love, and 
she love you not again, she were greatly 
to blame; and among ladies, said the 
queen, I shall bear your noble fame, for 
ye spake a great word, and fulfilled it 
worshipfully. And therewith the queen 
departed. Then the king and the three 
knights rode into the forest, for there 
they supposed to hear of them that were 
escaped; and there king Arthur found 
the most part of his people, and told 
them all how the five kinjTS were dead. — 



And therefore let us hold us together 
till it be day, and when their host have 
espied that their chieftains be slain, they 
will make such dole that they shall no 
more help themselves. And right so as 
the king said, so it was ; for when they 
found the five kings dead, they made 
such dole that they fell from their 
horses. Therewithal came king Arthur 
but with a few people, and slew on the 
left hand and on the right hand, that 
well nigh there escaped no man, but 
all were slain to the number of thirty 
thousand. And when the battle was 
all ended, the king kneeled down and 
thanked God meekly. And then he 
sent for the queen, and soon she was 
come, and she made great joy of the 
overcoming of that battle. 

CHAP. IV. 

How the battle was finished or Mng Pelli- 
nore came, and how Mng Arthur founded 
an abbey where the battle was. 

Therewithal came one to king Ar- 
thur, and told him that king Pellinore 
was within three mile with a great host ; 
and he said, Go unto him, and let him 
understand how we have sped. So 
within awhile king Pellinore came with 
a great host, and saluted the people and 
the king : and there was great joy made 
on every side. Then the king let search 
how much people of his party there was 
slain : and there were found but little 
past two hundred men slain, and eight 
knights of the Table Round in their 
pavilions. Then the king let rear and 
devise in the same place there as the 
battle was done a fair abbey, and en- 
dowed it with great livelihood, and let 
call it the Abbey of La Beale Adventure. 
But when some of them came into their 
countries whereof the five kings were 
kings, and told them how they were 
slain, there was made great dole. And 
when all king Arthur's enemies, as the 
king of North Wales, and the kings of 
the North, wist of the battle they were 
passing hea\'y. And so the king re- 
turned to Camelot in haste. And when 
he was come to Camelot he called king 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Pellinore unto him, and said, Ye under- 
stand well, that we have lost eight knights 
of the best of the Table Round, and by 
your advice we will choose eight again of 
the best we may find in this court. Sir, 
said Pellinore, I shall counsel you after 
my conceit the best ; there are in your 
court full noble knights both of old and 
young, and therefore by mine advice ye 
shall choose half of the old and half of 
the young. Which be the old? said 
king Arthur. Sir, said king Pellinore, 
me seemeth that king Uriens that hath 
wedded your sister Morgan le Fay, and 
the king of the Lake, and Sir liervise 
de Revel, a noble knight, and Sir Gala- 
gars the fourth. This is well devised, 
said king Arthur, and right so shall it be. 
Now, which are the four young knights ? 
said Arthur. Sir, said Pellinore, the 
first is Sir Gawaine your nephew, that 
is as good a knight of his time as any 
is in this land ; and the second, as me 
seemeth, is Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, 
that is a good knight, and full desirous 
in arms, and who may see him live he 
shall prove a good knight ; and the 
third as me seemeth is well to be one of 
the knights of the Round Table, Sir Kay 
the seneschal, for many times he hath 
done full worshipfully, and now at your 
last battle he did full honourably for to 
undertake to slay two kings. By my 
head, said king Arthur, he is best worthy 
to be a knight of the Round Table of 
any that ye have rehearsed, and he had 
done no more prowess in his life days. 

CHAP. V. 

How Sir Tor was made knight of the Round 
Table, and how Bagdemagus was dis- 
pleased. 

Now, said king Pellinore, I shall put 
to you two knights, and ye shall choose 
which is most worthy, that is Sir Bag- 
demagus, and Sir Tor, my son. But 
because Sir Tor is my son I may not 
praise him, but else, and he were not my 
son, I durst say that of his age there is 
not in this land a better knight then he 
is, nor of better conditions, and loth to 
do any wrong, and loth to take any 



wrong. By my head, said Arthur, hef 
is a passing good knight, as any ye 
spake of this day, that wot I well, said ; 
the king, for I have seen him proved, 
but he saith little, and he doth mucli 
more, for I know none in all this court, 
and he were as well born on his mother's 
side as he is on your side, that is like . 
him of prowess and of might ; and there- 1 
fore I will have him at this time, and ; 
leave Sir Bagdemagus till another time. 
So when they were so chosen by the 
assent of all the barons, so were there : 
found in their sieges every knight's names ' 
that here are rehearsed. And so were j 
they set in their sieges, whereof Sir Bag- ' 
demagus was wonderly wroth, that Sir j 
Tor was advanced afore him, and there- j 
fore suddenly he departed from the court, j 
and took his squire with him, and rode ! 
long in a forest till they came to a cross, ! 
and there alight and said his prayers j 
devoutly. The meanwhile his squire' 
found written upon the cross, that Bag- ' 
demagus should never return unto the' 
court again till he had won a knight's 
body of the Round Table, body for body. 
Lo, sir, said his squire, here I find writing 
of you, therefore I counsel you return 
again to the court. That shall I never, ' 
said Bagdemagus, till men speak of me 
great worship, and that I be worthy to .■ 
be a knight of the Round Table. And j 
so he rode forth. And there by the; 
way he found a branch of an holy herb ' 
that was the sign of the Sangreal, and | 
no knight found such tokens but hej 
were a good liver. So as Sir Bagde- i 
magus rode to see many adventures, it j 
happed him to come to the rock there ; 
as the lady of the lake had put Merlin ! 
under a stone, and there he heard him i 
make great dole ; whereof Sir Bagde- j 
magus would have holpen him, and I 
went unto the great stone, and it v/as : 
so heavy that an hundred men might 
not lift it up. When Merlin wist he 
was there, he bad leave his labour, for j 
all was in vain, for he might never be I 
holpen but by her that put him there, i 
And so Sir Bagdemagus departed, and ■ 
did many adventures, and proved after 
a full good knight, and came again to \ 



HOW ARTHUR WAS A PRISONER. 



79 



the court, and was made knight of 

the Round Table. So on the morn 

there fell new tidings and other ad- 
ventures. 

CHAP. VI. 

How ling Arthur, king Urietis, and Sir 
Accolon of Gaul chased an hart, and of 
their marvellous adventures. 

Then it befel that Arthur and many 
of his knights rode on hunting into a 
great forest, and it happed king Arthur, 
king Uriens, and Sir, Accolon of Gaul 
followed a great hart, for they three 
were well horsed, and so they chased so 
fast that within awhile they three were 
then ten mile from their fellowship. 
And at the last they chased so sore that 
they slew their horses underneath them. 
Then were they all three on foot, and 
ever they saw the hart afore them pass- 
ing weary and enbushed. What will 
ye do ? said king Arthur, we are hard 
bested. Let us go on foot, said king 
Uriens, till we may meet with some 
lodging. Then were they ware of the 
hart that lay on a great water bank, and 
a brachet biting on his throat, and more 
other hounds came after. Then king 
Arthur blew the prise and dight the hart. 
Then the king looked about the world, 
and saw afore him in a great water a 
little ship, all apparelled with silk down 
to the water, and the ship came right 
unto them, and landed on the sands. 
Then Arthur went to the bank and 
looked in, and saw none earthly crea- 
ture therein. Sirs, said the king, come 
thence, and let us see what is in this 
ship. So they went in all three, and 
found it richly behanged with cloth of 
silk. By then it was dark night, and 
there suddenly were about them an hun- 
dred torches set upon all the sides of 
the ship boards, and it gave great light ; 
and therewithal there came out twelve 
fair damsels and saluted king Arthur on 
their knees, and called him by his name, 
and said he was right welcome, and 
such cheer as they had he should have 
of the best. The king thanked them 
fair. Therewithal they led the king 



and his two fellows into a fair chamber, 
and there was a cloth laid richly beseen 
of all that longed unto a table, and 
there were they served of all wines and 
meats that they could think ; of that the 
king had great marvel, for he fared 
never better in his life as for one supper. 
And so when they had supped at their 
leisure, king Arthur was led into a 
chamber, a richer beseen chamber saw 
he never none ; and so was king Uriens 
served, and led into such another cham- 
ber ; and Sir Accolon was led into the 
third chamber, passing richly and well 
beseen : and so were they laid in their 
beds easily. And anon they fell on sleep, 
and slept marvellously sore all that night. 
And on the morrow king Uriens was 
in Camelot with his wife, Morgan le 
Fay. And when he awoke he had 
great marvel how he came there, for on 
the even afore he was two days' journey 
from Camelot. And when king Arthur 
awoke he found himself in a dark prison, 
hearing about him many complaints of 
woful knights. 

CHAP. vn. 

How Arthur took upon him to fight to be 
delivered out of prison, and also for to 
deliver twenty knights that were in prison. 

What are ye that so complain ? said 
king Arthur. We be here twenty 
knights prisoners, said they, and some 
of us have lain here seven year, and 
some more and some less. For what 
cause? said Arthur. We shall tell you, 
said the knights ; This lord of this castle 
his name is Sir Damas, and he is the 
falsest knight that liveth, and full of 
treason, and a very coward as any 
liveth, and he hath a younger brother, 
a good knight of prowess, his name is 
Sir Ontzlake, and this traitor Damas, 
the elder brother, will give him no 
part of his livelihood but as Sir Ontz- 
lake keepeth through prowess of his 
hands, and so he keepeth from him a 
full fair manor and a rich, and therein 
Sir Ontzlake dwelleth worshipfully and 
is well beloved of all people. And 
this Sir Damas our master is as evil 



8o 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



beloved, for he is without mercy, and 
he is a coward, and great war hath 
been betwixt them both, but Ontzlake 
hath ever the better, and ever he 
proffereth Sir Danias to fight for the 
livelihood, body for body; but if he 
will not do it to find a knight to fight 
for him. Unto that Sir Damas hath 
granted to find a knight, but he is so 
evil beloved and hated, that there is 
never a knight will fight for him. And 
when Damas saw this, that there was 
never a knight would fight for him, 
he hath daily lain await with many 
knights with him and taken all the 
knights in this country to see and 
espy their adventures : he hath taken 
them by force and brought them to his 
prison. And so he took us severally as 
we rode on our adventures, and many 
good knights have died in this prison 
for hunger, to the number of eighteen 
knights : and if any of us all that here 
is or hath been, would have fought with 
his brother Ontzlake he would have de- 
livered us, but for because this Damas 
is so false and so full of treason, we 
would never fight for him to die for it. 
And we be so lean with hunger that 
hardly we may stand on our feet. God 
deliver you for his mercy, said Arthur. 
Anon therewithal there came a damsel 
unto Arthur, and asked him. What 
cheer ? I cannot say, said he. Sir, said 
she, and ye will fight for my lord, ye 
shall be delivered out of prison, and else 
ye escape never with life. Now, said 
Arthur, that is hard, yet had I lever to 
fight with a knight than to die in 
prison: with this, said Arthur, that I 
may be delivered and all these pri- 
soners I will do the battle. Yes, said 
the damsel. I am ready, said Arthur, and 
I had horse and armour. Ye shall lack 
none, said the damsel. Me seemeth, 
damsel, that I should have seen you in 
the court of Arthur. Nay, said the 
damsel, I came never there, I am the 
lord's daughter of this castle. Yet was 
she false, for she was one of the dam- 
sels of Morgan le Fay. Anon she went 
unto Sir Damas, and told him how he 
would do battle for him, and so he 



sent for Arthur. And when he came he 
was well coloured, and well made of 
his limbs, that all knights that saw 
him said it were pity that such a knight 
should die in prison. So Sir Damas and 
he were agreed that he should fight 
for him upon this covenant, that all 
other knights should be delivered ; and 
unto that was Sir Damas sworn imto 
Arthur, and also to do the battle to the 
uttermost. And with that all the 
twenty knights were brought out of the 
dark prison into the hall and delivered. 
And so they all abode to see the 
battle. 

CHAP. VIII. 

How Accolon found himself by a well, and 
he took upon him to do battle against 
Arthur. 

Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, 
that when he awoke he found himself 
by a deep well side, within half a foot, in 
great peril of death. And there came 
out of that fountain a pipe of silver, and 
out of that pipe ran water all on high 
in a stone of marble. When Sir Acco- 
lon saw this he blessed him and said : 
Jesu save my lord king Arthur, and 
king Uriens, for these damsels in this 
ship have betrayed us. They were 
devils and no women, and if I may 
escape this misadventure, I shall destroy 
all where 1 may find these false damsels 
that use enchantments. 

Right with that there came a dwarf 
with a great mouth and a flat nose, and 
saluted Sir Accolon, and said how he 
came from queen Morgan le Fay ; and 
she greeteth you well, and biddeth you 
be of strong heart, for ye shall fight to 
morn with a knight at the hour of 
prime, and therefore she hath sent you ! 
here Excalibur Arthur's sword, and the ■ 
scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye 
love her, that ye do the battle to the 
uttermost without any mercy, like as ye 
had promised her when ye spake to- ; 
gether in private : and what damsel that 
bringeth her the knight's head that ye 
shall fight withal, she will make her a 
queen. Now I understand you well, 
said Accolon : I shall hold that I have 



OF THE BATTLE OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLON. 



8i 



promised her, now I have the sword : 
when saw ye my lady queen Morgan le 
Fay ? Right late, said the dwarf. Then 
Accolon took him in his amis, and said, 
Recommend me unto my lady queen, 
and tell her all shall be done that I have 
promised her, and else I will die for it. 
Now I suppose, said Accolon, she hath 
made all these crafts and enchantments 
for this battle. Ye may well believe it, 
said the dwarf. Right so there came a 
knight and a lady with six squires, and 
saluted Sir Accolon and prayed him for 
to arise, and come and rest him at his 
manor. And so Accolon mounted upon 
a void horse, and went with the knight 
unto a fair manor by a priory, and there 
he had passing good cheer. Then wSir 
Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ontz- 
lake, and bade make him ready by to 
mom at the hour of prime, and to be 
in the field to fight with a good knight, 
for he had found a good knight that 
was ready to do battle at all points. 
When this word came unto Sir Ontz- 
lake he was passing heavy, for he was 
wounded a little tofore through both 
his thighs with a spear, and made great 
dole : but as he was wounded he would 
have taken the battle on hand. So it 
happed at that time, by the means 
of Morgan le Fay, Accolon was with 
Sir Ontzlake lodged ; and when he 
heard of that battle, and how Ontzlake 
was wounded, he said he v/ould fight 
for him, because Morgan le Fay had 
sent him Excalibur and the sheath for 
to fight with the knight on the morn ; 
this was the cause Sir Accolon took the 
battle on hand. Then Sir Ontzlake was 
passing glad, and thanked Sir Accolon 
with all his heart that he would do so 
much for him. And therewithal Sir 
Ontzlake sent word unto his brother Sir 
Damas that he had a knight that for 
him should be ready in the field by the 
hour of prime. So on the morn Sir 
Arthur was armed and well horsed, and 
asked Sir Damas, When shall we to 
the field ? Sir, said Sir Damas, ye shall 
hear mass ; and so Arthur heard a mass. 
And when mass was done there came a 
squire on a great horse, and asked Sir 



Damas if his knight were ready, for our 
knight is ready in the field. Then Sir 
Arthur mounted upon horseback, and 
there were all the knights and commons 
of that country ; and so by all advices 
there were chosen twelve good men of 
the country for to wait upon the two 
knights. And right as Arthur was upon 
horseback there came a damsel from 
Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir 
Arthur a sword like unto Excalibur, 
and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur, 
Morgan le Fay sendeth you here your 
sword for great love. And he thanked 
her, and wend it had been so, but she 
was false, for the sword and the scabbard 
was counterfeit, and brittle, and false. 

CHAP. IX. 

0/ the battle between king Arthur and 
Accolon. 
And then they dressed them on both 
parts of the field, and let their horses mn 
so fast that either smote other in the 
midst of the shield with their spears' 
head, that both horse and man went to 
the earth ; and then they started up both, 
and pulled out their swords. The mean 
while that they were thus at the battle, 
came the damsel of the lake into the 
field, that put Merlin under the stone, 
and she came thither for love of king 
Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le 
Fay had so ordained that king Arthur 
should have been slain that day, and 
therefore she came to save his life. And 
so they went eagerly to the battle, and 
gave many great strokes. But alway 
king Arthur's sword bit not like Acco- 
lon's sword, but for the most part every 
stroke that Accolon gave wounded he 
sore Arthur, that it was marvel he 
stood ; and alway his blood fell from 
him fast. When Arthur beheld the 
ground so sore be-bled he was dis- 
mayed, and then he deemed treason, 
that his sword was changed; for his 
sword bit not steel as it was wont to 
.do, therefore he dread him sore to be 
dead, for ever him seemed that the 
sword in Aecolon's hand was Excalibur, 
for at every stroke that Sir Accolon 
struck he drew blood on Arthur. Now 



82 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



knight, said Accolon unto Arthur, keep 
thee well from me : but Arthur an- 
swered not again, and gave him such a 
buffet on the hehn that he made him to 
stoop, nigh faUing down to the earth. 
Then Sir Accolon withdrew liim a 
little, and came on with Excalibur on 
high, and smote Sir Arthur such a 
buffet that he fell nigh to the earth. 
Then were they wroth both, and gave 
each other many sore strokes, but 
always Sir Arthur lost so much blood 
that it was marvel he stood on his 
feet, but he was so full of knighthood 
that knightly he endured the pain. And 
Sir Accolon lost not a deal of blood, 
therefore he waxed passing light, and 
Sir Arthur was passing feeble, and 
wend verily to have died ; but for all 
that he made countenance as though he 
might endure, and held Accolon as 
short as he might. But Accolon was 
so bold because of Excalibur that he 
waxed passing hardy. But all men that 
beheld him said they never saw knight 
fight so well as Arthur did, considering 
the blood that he bled. So was all the 
people sorry for him, but the two 
brethren would not accord ; then always 
they fought together as fierce knights, 
and Sir Arthur withdrew him a little for 
to rest him, and Sir Accolon called him 
to battle, and said. It is no time for me 
to suffer thee to rest. And therewith 
he came fiercely upon Arthur, and Sir 
Arthur was wroth for the blood that 
he had lost, and smote Accolon on high 
upon the helm so mightily that he 
made him nigh to fall to the earth; 
and therewith Arthur's sword brast at 
the cross, and fell in the grass among 
the blood, and the pommel and the sure 
handles he held in his hands. When Sir 
Arthur saw that, he was in great fear 
to die, but always he held up his shield, 
and lost no ground, nor bated no cheer. 

CHAP. X. 

How king Arthur's sword that he fovght 
%uith brake, and how he recovered of 
Accolon his own sword Excalibur, and 
overcame his enemy. 
Then Sir Accolon began with words 



of treason, and said, Knight, thou art 
overcome, and mayest not endure, and 
also thou art weaponless, and thou hast 
lost much of thy blood, and I am full 
loth to slay thee, therefore yield thee to 
me as recreant. Nay, said Sir Arthur, 
I may not so, for I have promised to do 
the battle to the uttermost by the faith 
of my body while me lasteth the life, 
and therefore I had lever to die with 
honour than to live with shame ; and if 
it were possible for me to die an hun- 
dred times I had lever to die so oft than 
yield me to thee ; for though I lack 
weapon I shall lack no Avorship, and if 
thou slay me -weaponless that shall be 
thy shame. Well, said Accolon, as for 
the shame I will not spare : now keep 
thee from me, for thou art but a dead 
man. And therewith Accolon gave him 
such a stroke that he fell nigh to the 
earth, and would have had Arthur to 
have cried him mercy. But Sir Arthur 
pressed unto Accolon with his shield, 
and gave him with the pommel in his 
hand such a buffet that he went three 
strides aback. When the damsel of the 
lake beheld Arthur, how full of prowess 
his body was, and the false treason that 
was wrought for him to have had him 
slain, she had great pity that so good a 
knight and such a man of worship 
should be destroyed. And at the next 
stroke Sir Accolon struck him such a 
stroke, that by the damsel's enchant- 
ment the sword Excalibur fell out of 
Accolon's hand to the earth ; and there- 
withal Sir Arthur lightly leapt to it, and 
got it in his hand, and forthwithal he 
knew that it was his sword Excalibur, 
and said. Thou hast been from me all 
too long, and much damage hast thou 
done me. And therewith he espied the 
scabbard hanging by his side, and sud- 
denly he start to him, and pulled the 
scabbard from him, and anon threw it 
from him as far as he might throw it. 
O knight, said Arthur, this day hast 
thou done me great damage, with this 
sword; now are ye come unto your 
death, for I shall not warrant you but 
ye shall as well be rewarded with this 
sword or ever we depart, as thou hast 



HOW ACCOLON CONFESSED THE TREASON. 



83 



rewarded me, for much pain have ye 
made me to endure, and much blood 
have I >ost. And therewith Sir Arthur 
rushed on him with all his might and 
pulled him to the earth, and then 
rushed off his helm, and gave him such 
a buffet on the head that the blood 
came out at his ears, his nose, and his 
mouth. Now will I slay thee, said 
Arthur. Slay me ye may well, said 
Accolon, and it please you, for ye are 
the best knight that ever I found, and I 
see well that God is with you : but for 
I promised to do this battle to the ut- 
teimost, said Accolon, and never to be 
recreant while I lived, therefore shall I 
never yield me with my mouth, but God 
do with my body what he will. Then 
Sir Arthur remembered him, and thought 
he should have seen this knight. Now 
tell me, said Arthur, or I will slay thee, 
of what country art thou, and of what 
court? Sir knight, said Sir Accolon, 
I am of the court of king Arthur, and 
my name is Accolon of Gaul. Then 
was Arthur more dismayed than he was 
beforehand ; for then he remembered 
him of his sister Morgan le Fay, and 
of the enchantment of the ship. O 
Sir knight, said he, I pray you tell 
me who gave you this sword, and by 
whom ye had it. 

CHAP. XI. 

Hoiv Accolon confessed the treacon of 
Morgan le Fay, Mng Arthir's sister, 
and how she would have done slay 
him. 

Then Sir Accolon bethought him, 
and said. Woe worth this sword, for by 
it have I gotten my death. It may 
well be, said the king. Now Sir, said 
Sir Accolon, I will tell you : This sword 
hath been in my keeping the most part 
of this twelvemonth, and Morgan le 
Fay, • king Uriens' wife, sent it me 
yesterday by a dwarf, to this intent that 
I should slay king Arthur her brother. 
For ye shall understand king Arthur is 
the man in the world that she most 
hateth, because he is most of worship 
and of prowess of any of her blood. 



Also, she loveth me out of measure as 
paramour, and I her again. And if she 
might bring about to slay Arthur by 
her crafts, she would slay her husband 
king Uriens lightly, and then had she 
me devised to be king in this land, and 
so to reign, and she to be my queen ; 
but that is now done, said Sir Accolon, 
for I am sure of my death. Well, said 
king Arthur, I feel by you ye would 
have been king in this land. It had 
been great damage for to have destroyed 
your lord, said Arthur. It is truth, said 
Sir Accolon, but now I have told you 
truth, wherefore I pray you tell me of 
whence ye are, and of what court ? O 
Accolon, said king Arthur, now I let 
thee wit that I am king Arthur to 
whom thou hast done great damage. 
When Accolon heard that he cried 
aloud, Fair sweet lord, have mercy on 
me, for I knew you not. O Sir Acco- 
lon, said king Arthiu", mercy shalt thou 
have, because I feel by thy \\'ords at 
this time thou knewest not my person. 
But I understand well by thy words 
that thou hast agreed to the death of 
my person, and therefore thou art a 
traitor; but I blame thee the less, for 
my sister Morgan le Fay by her false 
crafts made thee to agree and consent 
to her false lusts, but I shall be sore 
avenged upon her and I live, that all 
Christendom shall speak of it. God 
knoweth I have honoured her and 
worshipped her more than all my kin, 
and more have I trusted her than mine 
own wife, and all my kin after. Then 
Sir Arthur called the keepers of the 
field, and said. Sirs, come hither, for here 
are we two knights that have fought 
imto a great damage unto us both, 
and like each one of us to have slain 
other, if it had happed so ; and had 
any of us known other, here had been 
no battle, nor stroke stricken. Then 
all aloud cried Sir Accolon unto all the 
knights and men that were then there 
gathered together, and said to them in 
this manner : O lords, this noble knight 
that I have fought withal, the which 
me sore repenteth, is the most man of 
prowess, of manhood, and of worship 



S4 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK IV. 



in the world, for it is himself king Arthur, 
our alther liege lord, and with mishap 
and with misadventure have I done 
this battle with the king and lord that 
I am holden withal. 



CHAP. XII. 

How Arthur accorded the two brethren, 
and delivered the twenty knights, atid 
how Sir Accolon died. 

Then all the people fell down on 
their knees, and cried king Arthur 
mercy. Mercy shall ye have, said 
Arthur : here may ye see what adven- 
tures befall oft time of errant knights, 
how that I have fought with a knight 
of mine own unto my great damage 
and his both. But sirs, because I 
am sore hurt, and he both, and I had 
great need of a little rest, ye shall 
understand the opinion betwixt you two 
brethren: As to thee, Sir Damas, for 
whom I have been champion, and won 
the field of this knight, yet will I judge 
because ye Sir Damas are called an 
orgulous knight, and full of villainy, 
and not worth of prowess of your 
deeds, therefore I will that ye give unto 
your brother all the whole manor with 
the appurtenance, under this form, that 
Sir Ontzlake hold the manor of you, 
and yearly to give you a palfrey to ride 
upon, for that will become you better 
to ride on than upon a courser. Also I 
charge thee, Sir Damas, upon pain of 
death, that thou never distress no 
knights errant that ride on their adven- 
ture. And also that thou restore these 
twenty knights that thou hast long kept 
prisoners of all their harness that they be 
content for, and if any of them come to 
my court and complain of thee, by my 
head thou shalt die therefore. Also, 
Sir Ontzlake, as to you, because ye are 
named a good knight, and full of 
prowess, and true and gentle in all your 
deeds, this shall be your charge : I will 
give you that in all goodly haste ye 
come unto me and my court, and ye 
shall be a knight of mine, and if 
your deeds be thereafter I shall so 



prefer you, by the grace of God, that 
ye shall in short time be in ease for 
to live as worshipfully as your brother 
Sir Damas. — God thank your largeness 
of your goodness and of your bounty, and 
I shall be from henceforth at all times 
at your commandment : for. Sir, said 
Sir Ontzlake, I was hurt but late with 
an adventurous knight through both my 
thighs, which grieved me sore, and else 
had I done this battle with you. 
Would, said Arthur, it had been so, 
for then had not I been hurt as I am. 
I shall tell you the cause why: for I 
had not been hurt as I am had not it 
been mine own sword that was stolen 
from me by treason; and this battle 
was ordained aforehand to have slain 
me, and so it was brought to the 
purpose by false treason, and by false 
enchantment. Alas, said Sir Ontzlake, 
that is great pity, that ever so noble a 
man as ye are of your deeds and 
prowess, that any man or woman might 
find in their hearts to work any treason 
against you. I shall reward them, said 
Arthur, in short time by the grace of 
God. Now tell me, said Arthur, how 
far am I from Camelot? Sir, ye are 
two days' journey therefrom. I would 
fain be at some place of worship, said 
Sir Arthur, that I might rest me. 
Sir, said Sir Ontzlake, hereby is a rich 
abbey of your elders' foundation, of 
Nuns, but three mile hence. So the 
king took his leave of all the people, 
and mounted upon horseback, and Sir 
Accolon with him. And when they 
were come to the abbey, he let fetch 
leeches and search his wounds and 
Accolon's both, but Sir Accolon died 
within four days, for he had bled so 
much blood that he might not live, but 
king Arthur was well recovered. So 
when Accolon was dead he let send him 
on an horse-bier with six knights unto 
Camelot, and said. Bear him to my 
sister Morgan le Fay, and say that I 
send her him to a present, and tell her 
that I have my sword Excalibur, and 
the scabbard. So they departed with 
the body. 



MORE OF MORGAN LE FAY'S TREASON. 



CHAP. XIII. 

How Morgan would have slain Sir Uriens 
her husband, and bow Sir Uwaine her 
son saved him. 

The mean while Morgan le Fay had 
wend king Arthur had been dead. So 
on a day she espied king Uriens lay in 
his bed sleeping^ then she called unto 
her a maiden of her counsel, and said : 
Go fetch me my lord's sword, for I saw 
never better time to slay him than now. 

Madam, said the damsel, and ye slay 
my lord, ye can never escape. Care not 
you, said Morgan le Fay, for now I see 
my time in the which it is best to do it, 
and therefore hie thee fast, and fetch 
me the sword. Then the damsel de- 
parted, and found Sir Uwaine sleeping 
upon a bed in another chamber, so she 
went unto Sir Uwaine, and awaked him, 
and bad him, Arise, and wait on my 
lady your mother, for she will slay the 
king your father sleeping in his bed, for 

1 go to fetch his sword. Well, said 
Sir Uwaine, go on your way, and let me 
deal. Anon the damsel brought Morgan 
the sword with quaking hands, and she 
lightly took the sword, and pulled it 
out, and went boldly unto the bed-side, 
and awaited how and where she might 
slay him best. And as she lift up the 
sword to smite. Sir Uwaine lept unto 
his mother, and caught her by the hand, 
and said, Ah, fiend, what wilt thou do ? 
And thou wert not my mother, with this 
sword I should smite off thy head. Ah, 
said Sir Uwaine, men say that Merlin 
was begotten of a devil, but I may say 
an earthly devil bare me. Oh fair son 
Uwaine, have mercy upon me; I was 
tempted with a devil, wherefore I cry 
thee mercy ; I will never more do so ; 
and save my worship and discover me 
not. On this covenant, said Sir Uwaine, 
I will forgive it you, so ye will never 
be about to do such deeds. Nay, son, 
said she, and that I make you assurance. 

CHAP. XIV. 
How queen Morgan le Fay made great sor- 
row for the death of Accolon, and how 
she stole away the scabbard from Arthur. 
Then came tidings unto Morgan le 



Fay that Accolon was dead, and his 
body brought unto the church, and how 
king Arthur had his sword again. But 
when queen Morgan wist that Accolon 
was dead she was so sorrowful that 
near her heart to burst. But because she 
would not it were known, outward she 
kept her countenance, and made no 
semblance of sorrow. But well she 
wist, and she abode till her brother 
Arthur came thither, there should no 
gold go for her life. 

Then she went unto queen Guenever, 
and asked her leave to ride into the 
country. Ye may abide, said queen 
Guenever, till your brother the king 
come home. I may not, said Morgan 
le Fay, for I have such hasty tidings 
that I may not tarry. Well, said 
Guenever, ye may depart when ye will. 
So early on the morn, or it was day, 
she took her horse and rode all that 
day, and most part of the night, and on 
the morn by noon she came to the 
same abbey of nuns, whereas lay king 
Arthur, and she, knowing he was there, 
asked where he was : and they an- 
swered how he had laid him in his 
bed to sleep, for he had had but little 
rest these three nights. Well, said she, 
I charge you that none of you awake 
him till I do. And then she alight off 
her horse, and thought for to steal away 
Excalibur his sword, and so she went 
straight unto his chamber, and no man 
durst disobey her commandment, and 
there she found Arthur asleep in his 
bed, and Excalibur in his right hand 
naked. When she saw that, she was 
passing heavy that she might not come 
by the sword without she had awaked 
him, and then she wist well she had 
been dead. Then she took the scab- 
bard, and went her way on horse- 
back. When the king awoke and 
missed his scabbard, he was wroth, and 
he asked who had been there, and they 
said his sister queen Morgan had been . 
there, and had put the scabbard under 
her mantle, and was gone. Alas, said 
Arthur, falsely have ye watched me. 
Sir, said they all, we durst not disotey 
your sister's commandment. Ah, said 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



the king, let fetch the best horse that 
may be found, and bid Sir Ontzlake 
arm him in all haste, and take another 
good horse and ride with me. So anon 
the king and Ontzlake were well armed, 
and rode after this lady; and so they 
came by a cross, and found a cowherd, 
and they asked the poor man if there 
came any lady late riding that way. 
Sir, said this poor man, right late came 
a lady riding with a forty horses, and to 
yonder forest she rode. Then they 
spurred their horses and followed fast, 
and within awhile Arthur had a sight 
of Morgan le Fay; then he chased as 
fast as he might. AVhen she espied 
him following her, she rode a greater 
pace through the forest till she came to 
a plain. And when she saw she might 
not escape, she rode unto a lake 
thereby, and said, Whatsoever be- 
cometh of me, m.y brother shall not 
have this scabbard. And then she let 
throw the scabbard in the deepest of 
the water, so it sank, for it was heavy 
of gold and precious stones. Then she 
rode into a valley where many great 
stones were, and when she saw that she 
must be overtaken, she shaped herself, 
horse and man, by enchantment, unto a 
great marble stone. Anon withal came 
Sir Arthur and Sir Ontzlake, whereas 
the king might not know his sister and 
her men, and one knight from another. 
Ah, said the king, here may ye see the 
vengeance of God, and now am I sorry 
that this misadventure is befallen. And 
then he looked for the scabbard, but it 
would not be found. So he returned to 
the abbey there he came from. So 
when Arthur was gone she turned all 
into the likeness as she and they were 
before, and said. Sirs, now may we 
go where we will. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Morgan le Fay saved a knighi that 
should have been droxvned, and how king 
Arthur returned home again. 

Then said Morgan, Saw ye Arthur 
my brother ? Yea, said her knights. 



right well, and that ye should have 
found and we might have stirred from 
one stead, for by his warlike counte- 
nance he would have caused us to have 
fled. I believe you, said Morgan. Anon 
after as she rode she met a knight 
leading another knight on his horse 
before him, bound hand and foot blind- 
fold, to have drowned him in a foun- 
tain. When she saw this knight so 
bound, she asked him, What will ye do 
with that knight ? Lady, said he, I will 
drown him. For what cause ? she asked. 
For I found him with my wife, and she 
shall have the same death anon. That 
were pity, said Morgan le Fay: now 
what say ye, knight, is it truth that he 
saith of you? she said to the knight 
that should be drowned. Nay truly, 
madam, he saith not right of me. Of 
whence be ye ? said Morgan le Fay, and 
of what country ? I am of the court of 
king Arthur, and my name is Manassen, 
cousin unto Accolon of Gaul. Ye say 
well, said she, and for the love of him 
ye shall be delivered, and ye shall have 
your adversary in the same case ye 
be in. So Manassen was loosed and 
the other knight bound. And anon 
Manassen unarmed him, and armed him- 
self in his harness, and so mounted on 
horseback, and the knight afore him, 
and so threw him into the fountain and 
drowned him. And then he rode unto 
Morgan again, and asked her if she 
would anything unto king Arthur. Tell 
him that I rescued thee not for the love 
of him but for the love of Accolon, and 
tell him I fear him not while I can make 
me and them that be with me in likeness 
of stones ; and let him wit I can do much 
more when I see my time. And so she 
departed into the country of Gore, and 
there was she richly received, and made 
her castles and towns passing strong, 
for always she drad much king Arthur. 
When the king had well rested him at 
the abbey he rode unto Camelot, and 
found his queen and his barons right 
glad of his coming. And when they 
heard of his strange adventures as is 
afore rehearsed, they all had marvel of 
the falsehood of Morgan le Fay : many 



HOW KING ARTHUR WAS SAVED. 



87 



knights wished her burnt. Then came 
Manassen to the court ahd told the king 
of his adventure. Well, said the king, 
she is a kind sister, I shall so be avenged 
on her and I live, that all Christendom 
shall speak of it. So on the morn there 
came a damsel from Morgan to the king, 
and she brought with her the richest 
mantle that ever was seen in that court, 
for it was set as full of precious stones 
as one might stand by another, and there 
were the richest stones that ever the 
king saw. And the damsel said, Your 
sister sendeth you this mantle, and 
desireth that ye should take this 
gift of her, and in what thing she hath 
offended you she will amend it at your 
own pleasure. When the king beheld 
this mantle it pleased him much, but he 
said but little. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How the damsel of the lake saved king 
Arthur from a mantle which should 
have burnt him. 

With that came the damsel of the 
lake unto the king, and said. Sir, I must 
speak with you in private. Say on, said 
the king, what ye will. Sir, said the 
damsel, put not on you this mantle till 
ye have seen more, and in no wise let it 
not come on you, nor on no knight of 
yours, till ye command the bringer 
thereof to put it upon her. Well, said 
king Arthur, it shall be done as ye 
counsel me. And then he said unto 
the damsel that came from his sister, 
Damsel, this mantle that ye have brought 
me I will see it upon you. Sir, said she, 
it will not beseem me to wear a king's 
garment. By my head, said Arthur, ye 
shall wear it or it come on my back, or 
any man's that here is. And so the 
king made it to be put upon her, and 
forthwithal she fell down dead, and 
never more spake word after, and burnt 
to coals. Then was the king wonderly 
wroth, more than he was toforehand, 
and said unto king Uriens, My sister your 
wife is alway about to betray me, and 
well I wot either ye, or my nephew your 
son, is of counsel with her to have me 



destroyed ; but as for you, said the king 
to king Uriens, I deem not greatly that 
ye be of her counsel, for Accolon con- 
fessed to me by his OM^n mouth, that she 
would have destroyed you as well as me, 
therefore I hold you excused ; but as for 
your son Sir Uwaine, I hold him sus- 
pected, therefore I charge you put him 
out of my court. So Sir Uwaine was 
discharged. And when Sir Gawaine 
wist that, he made him ready to go 
with him, and said : Who so banisheth 
my cousin geniian shall banish me. So 
they two departed and rode into a great 
forest. And so they came to an abbey 
of monks, and there were well lodged. 
But when the king wist that Sir Gawaine 
was departed from the court there was 
made great sorrow among all the estates. 
Now, said Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, 
we have lost two good knights for the 
love of one. So on the mom they 
heard their masses in the abbey, and so 
they rode forth till they came to a great 
forest ; then was Sir Gawaine ware in 
a valley by a turret, of twelve fair dam- 
sels, and two knights armed on great 
horses, and the damsels went to and fro 
by a tree. And then was Sir Gawaine 
ware how there hung a white shield on 
that tree, and ever as the damsels came 
by it they spit upon it, and some threw 
mire upon the shield. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine met 
with twelve fair damsels, and how they 
complained on Sir Marhaus. 

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine 
went and saluted them, and asked why 
they did that despite to the shield. Sirs, 
said the damsels, we shall tell you. 
There is a knight in this country that 
owneth this white shield, and he is a 
passing good man of his hands, but he 
hateth all ladies and gentlewomen, and 
therefore we do all this despite to the 
shield. I shall say you, said Sir Gawaine, 
it beseemeth evil a good knight to de- 
spise all ladies and gentlewomen, and 
peradventure though he hate you he 
hath some cause, and peradventure he 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



loveth in some other places ladies and 
gentlewomen, and to be loved again, and 
he be such a man of prowess as ye speak 
of. Now what is his name ? Sir, said 
they, his name is Marhaus, the king's 
son of Ireland. I know him well, said 
SirUwaine,he is a passing good knight as 
any is on live, for 1 saw him once proved 
at a justs where many knights were ga- 
thered, and that time there might no 
man withstand him. Ah ! said Sir Ga- 
waine, damsels, methinketh ye are to 
blame, for it is to suppose he that hung 
that shield there he will not be long there- 
from, and then may those knights match 
him on horseback, and that is more your 
worship than thus ; for I will abide no 
longer to see a knight's shield dis- 
honoured. And therewith Sir Uwaine 
and Gawaine departed a little from 
them, and then were they ware where 
Sir Marhaus came riding on a great 
horse straight towards them. And when 
the twelve damsels saw Sir Marhaus they 
fled into the turret as they were wild, so 
that some of them fell by the way. 
Then the one of the knights of the 
tower dressed his shield, and said on 
high, Sir Marhaus, defend thee. And 
so they ran together that the knight 
brake his spear on Marhaus, and Sir 
IVIarhaus smote him so hard that he 
brake his neck and the horse's back. 
That saw the other knight of the turret, 
and dressed him toward Marhaus, and 
they met so eagerly together that the 
knight of the turret was soon smitten 
down, horse and man, stark dead. 

CHAP. XVIII, 

How Sir Marhaus justed with Sir Gawaine 
and Sir Uwaine, and overthrew tbein 
both. 

And then Sir Marhaus rode unto his 
shield, and saw how it was defouled, 
and said, Of this despite 1 am a part 
avenged, but for her love that gave me 
this white shield I shall wear thee, and 
hang mine where thou wast : and so he 
hanged it about his neck. Then he 
rode straight unto Sir Gawaine and to Sir 
Uwaine, and asked them what they did 



there. They answered him that they 
came from king Arthur's court for to 
see adventures. Well, said Marhaus, 
here am I ready, an adventurous knight 
that will fulfil any adventure that ye 
will desire. And so departed from 
them to fetch his range. Let him go, 
said Sir Uwaine unto Sir Gawaine, for 
he is a passing good knight as any is 
living : I would not by my will that any 
of us were matched with him. Nay, 
said Sir Gawaine, not so ; it were shame 
to us were he not assayed, were he 
never so good a knight. Well, said Sir 
Uwaine, I will assay him afore you, for 
I am more weaker than ye, and if he 
smite me down then may ye revenge me. 
So these two knights came together with 
great random, that Sir Uwaine smote Sir 
Marhaus that his spear brast in pieces 
on the shield, and Sir Marhaus smote 
him so sore that horse and man he bare 
to the earth, and hurt Sir Uwaine on the 
left side. Then Sir Marhaus turned his 
horse and rode toward Gawaine with 
his spear. And when Sir Gawaine saw 
that, he dressed his shield, and they 
aventred their spears, and they came 
together with all the might of their 
horses, that either knight smote other 
so hard in the midst of their shields, but 
Sir Gawaine's spear brake, but Sir Mar- 
haus's spear held ; and therewith Sir 
Gawaine and liis horse rushed down to 
the earth. And lightly Sir Gawaine 
rose upon his feet, and pulled out his 
sword, and dressed him toward Sir Mar- 
haus on foot. And Sir Marhaus saw 
that, and pulled out his sword, and began 
to come to Sir Gawaine on horseback. 
Sir knight, said Sir Gawaine, alight on 
foot, or else I will slay thy horse. 
Gramercy, said Sir Marhaus, of your 
gentleness, ye teach me courtesy, for it 
is not for one knight to be on foot and 
the other on horseback. And therewith 
Sir Marhaus set his spear against a tree 
and alighted, and tied his horse to a 
tree, and dressed his shield, and either 
came unto other eagerly, and smote 
together with their swords that their 
shields flew in cantels, and they bruised 
their helms and their hauberks, and 



CHAP. xvin. HOW SIR MARHAUS AND SIR GAWAINE FOUGHT. 



wounded either other. ' But Sir Ga- 
waine, fro it passed nine of the clock 
waxed ever stronger and stronger, till it 
came to the hour of noon, and thrice 
his might was increased. All this espied 
Sir Marhaus, and had great wonder how 
his miglit increased, and so they wounded 
other passing sore. And then when it 
was past noon, and when it drew to- 
ward even-song, Sir Gawaine's strength 
feebled and waxed passing faint, that 
unnethes he might dure any longer, 
and Sir Marhaus was then bigger and 
bigger. Sir knight, said Sir Marhaus, 
I have well felt that ye are a passing 
good knight, and a marvellous man of 
might as ever I felt any, while it lasteth, 
and our quarrels are not great, and 
therefore it were pity to do you hurt, 
for I feel ye are passing feeble. Ah, 
said Sir Gawaine, gentle knight, ye say 
the word that I should say. And there- 
with they took off their helms and either 
kissed other, and there they swore to- 
gether either to love other as brethren. 
And Sir Marhaus prayed Sir Gawaine 
to lodge with him that night. And so 
they took their horses and rode toward 
Sir Marhaus's house. And as they rode 
by the way. Sir knight, said Sir Gawaine, 
I have marvel that so valiant a man as 
ye be love no ladies nor damsels. Sir, 
said Sir Marhaus, they name me wrong- 
fully those that give me that name, but 
well I wot it be the damsels of the turret 
that so name me, and other such as they 
be. Now shall I tell you for what cause 
I hate them. For they be sorceresses 
and enchanters many of them, and be a 
knight never so good of his body and 
full of prowess as man may be, they 
will make him a stark coward to have 
the better of him, and this is the prin- 
cipal cause that I hate them ; and to 
all good ladies and gentlewomen I owe 
my service as a knight ought to do. As 
the book rehearseth in French, there 
v.'ere many knights that overmatched 
Sir Gawaine, for all the thrice-might 
that he had: Sir Launcelot de Lake, 
Sir Tristram, Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir 
Percivale, Sir Pelleas, and Sir Marhaus, 
these six knights had the better of Sir 



Gawaine. Then within a little while 
they came to Sir Marhaus's place, 
which was in a little prioiy, and there 
they alight, and ladies and damsels un- 
armed them and hastily looked to their 
hurts, for they were all three hurt. And 
so they had all three good lodging with 
Sir Marhaus, and good cheer : for 
when he wist that they were king 
Arthur's sister's sons, he made them 
all the cheer that lay in his power. 
And so they sojourned there a seven 
nights, and were well eased of their 
wounds, and at the last departed. 
Now, said Sir Marhaus, we will not 
part so lightly, for I will bring you 
through the forest : and rode day by 
day well a seven days or they found 
any adventure. At the last they came 
into a great forest, that was named the 
country and forest of Arroy, and the 
country of strange adventures. In this 
country, said Sir Marhaus, came never 
knight since it was christened, but he 
found strange adventures. And so they 
rode and came into a deep valley full of 
stones, and thereby they saw a fair stream 
of water ; above thereby was the head 
of the stream, a fair fountain, and three 
damsels sitting thereby. And then they 
rode to them, and either saluted other, 
and the eldest had a garland of gold 
about her head, and she was threescore 
winter of age or more, and her hair was 
white under the garland. The second 
damsel was of thirty winter of age, with 
a circlet of gold about her head. The 
third damsel was but fifteen year of age, 
and a garland of flowers about her head. 
When these knights had so beheld them, 
they asked them the cause why they sat 
at that fountain. We be here, said the 
damsels, for this cause, if we may see 
any errant knights, to teach them unto 
strange adventures, and ye be three 
knights that seek adventures, and we 
be three damsels, and therefore each 
one of you must choose one of us. And 
when ye have done so we will lead you 
unto three high ways, and there each of 
you shall choose a way, and his damsel 
with him. And this day twelvemonth 
ye must meet here again, and God send 



90 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



you your lives, and thereto ye must 
plight your troth. This is well said, 
said Sir Marhaus. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Sir Marhaus, Sir Gawaine, and Sir 
Uwaine met three damsels, and each of 
them took ofie. 

Now shall every each of us choose a 
damsel. I shall tell you, said Sir Uwaine : 
I am the youngest and most weakest of 
you both, therefore I will have the eldest 
damsel, for she hath seen much and can 
help me best when I have need, for I 
have most need of help of you both. 
Now, said Sir Marhaus, I will have 
the damsel of thirty winter age, for she 
fallest best to me. Well, said Sir Ga- 
waine, I thank you, for ye have left me 
the youngest and the fairest, and she is 
most liefest to me. Then every damsel 
took her knight by the reins of his bridle, 
and brought them to the three ways, 
and there was their oath made to meet 
at the fountain that day twelvemonth 
and they were living, and so they kissed 
and departed, and every each knight set 
his lady behind him. And Sir Uwaine 
took the way that lay west, and Sir Mar- 
haus took the way that lay south, and Sir 
Gawaine took the way that lay north. 

Now will we begin at Sir Gawaine 
that held that way till he came unto a 
fair manor, where dwelled an old knight 
and a good householder, and there Sir 
Gawaine asked the knight if he knew 
any adventures in that country. I shall 
shew you some to-morn, said the old 
knight, and that marvellous. So on the 
morn they rode into the forest of adven- 
tures till they came to a lawn, and 
thereby they found a cross, and as they 
stood and hoved there came by them 
the fairest knight and the seemliest man 
that ever they saw, making the greatest 
dole that ever man made. And then 
he was ware of Sir Gawaine, and saluted 
him, and prayed God to send him much 
worship. As to that, said Sir Gawaine, 
Gramercy ! Also, I pray to God that 
he send you honour and worship. Ah, 
said the knight, I may lay that aside, 



for sorrow and shame cometh to me 
after worship. 

CHAP. XX. 

How a blight and a dwarf strove for a 
lady. 

And therewith he passed unto the one 
side of the lawn. And on the other side 
Sir Gawaine saw ten knights that hoved 
still, and made them ready with their 
shields and spears against that one 
knight that came by Sir Gawaine. Then 
this one knight aventred a great spear, 
and one of the ten knights encountered 
with him, but this woful knight smote 
him so hard that he fell over his horse 
tail. So this same dolorous knight 
served them all, that at the least way 
he smote down horse and man, and all 
he did with one spear. And so when 
they were all ten on foot they went to 
that one knight, and he stood stone still, 
and suffered them to pull him down off" 
his horse, and bound him hand and foot, 
and tied him under the horse belly, and 
so led him with them. Oh, said Sir Ga- 
waine, this is a doleful sight, to see the 
yonder knight so to be entreated, and it 
seemeth by the knight that he suffereth 
them to bind him so, for he maketh no 
resistance. No, said his host, that is 
truth, for and he would they all were 
too weak so to do him. Sir, said the 
damsel unto Sir Gawaine, me seemeth it 
were your worship to help that dolorous 
knight, for me thinketh he is one of the 
best knights that ever I saw. I would 
do for him, said Sir Gawaine, but it 
seemeth that he will have no help. 
Then said the damsel, me seemeth ye 
have no lust to help him. Thus as they 
talked they saw a knight on that other 
side of the lawn, all armed save the 
head. And on the other side there 
came a dwarf on horseback all armed 
save the head, with a great mouth and 
a short nose. And when the dwarf 
came nigh he said. Where is the lady 
should meet us here ? and therewithal 
she came forth out of the wood. And 
then they began to strive for the lady ; 
for the knight said he would have her, 



CHAP. XXI. 



THE ADVENTURE OF SIR GAWAINE. 



91 



and the dwarf said he would have her. 
Will we do well ? said the dwarf; yonder 
is a knight at the cross, let us put it 
both upon him, and as he deemeth so 
shall it be. I will well, said the knight ; 
and so they went all three unto Sir Ga- 
waine, and told him wherefore they 
strove. Well sirs, said he, will ye put 
the matter into my hand ? Yea, they 
said both. Now, damsel, said Sir Ga- 
waine, ye shall stand betwixt them both, 
and whether ye list better to go to, he 
shall have you. And when she was set 
between them both she left the knight 
and went to the dwarf. And the dwarf 
took her and went his way singing, 
and the knight went his way with 
great mourning. Then came there two 
knights all armed, and cried on high. 
Sir Gawaine, knight of king Arthur, 
make thee ready in all haste and just 
with me. So they ran together that 
either fell down. And then on foot 
they drew their swords and did full 
actually. In the meanwhile the other 
knight v/ent to the damsel and asked 
her why she abode with that knight, 
and if ye would abide with me, I will 
be your faithful knight. And with you 
will I be, said the damsel, for with Sir 
Gawaine I may not find in mine heart 
to be with him : for now here was one 
knight discomfited ten knights, and at 
the last he was cowardly led away ; and 
therefore let us two go our way whilst 
they fight. And Sir Gawaine fought 
with that other knight long, but at the 
last they accorded both. And then the 
knight prayed Sir Gawaine to lodge 
with him that night. So as Sir Ga- 
waine went with this knight he asked 
him. What knight is he in this country 
that smote down the ten knights ? For 
when he had done so manfully, he suf- 
fered them to bind him hand and foot, 
and so led him away. Ah ! said the 
knight, that is the best knight I trow in 
the world, and the most man of prowess, 
and he hath been served so as he was 
even more than ten times, and his name 
hight Sir Pelleas, and he loveth a great 
lady in this country, and her name is 
Ettard. And so when he loved her there 



was cried in this country a great justs 
three days : and all the knights of this 
country were there and gentlewomen ; 
and who that proved him the best 
knight should have a passing good 
sword and a circlet of gold, and the 
circlet the knight should give it to the 
fairest lady that was at the justs. And 
this knight. Sir Pelleas, was the best 
knight that was there, and there were 
five hundred knights, but there was 
never man that ever Sir Pelleas met 
withal, but he struck him down, or 
else from his horse. And every day 
of three days he struck down twenty 
knights, therefore they gave him the 
prize. And forthwithal he went there 
as the lady Ettard was, and gave her 
the circlet, and said openly she was the 
fairest lady that there was, and that 
would he prove upon any knight that 
would say nay. 

CHAP. XXL 

How king Pelleas stiffered himself to be 
taken prisoner because he would have a 
sight of his lady, and how Sir Gawaine 
promised him for to get to him the love 
of his lady. 

And so he chose her for his sovereign 
lady, and never to love other but her. 
But she was so proud that she had scorn 
of him, and said she would never love 
him, though he would die for her. 
Wherefore all ladies and gentlewomen 
had scorn of her that she was so proud, 
for there were fairer than she, and there 
was none that was there but and Sir 
Pelleas would have proffered them love, 
they would have loved him for his noble 
prowess. And so this knight promised I 
the lady Ettard to follow her into this 
country, and never to leave her till she 
loved him. And thus he is here the 
most part nigh her, and lodged by a 
priory, and every week she sendeth 
knights to fight with him. And when 
he hath put them to the worse, then will 
he sufi"er them wilfully to take him pri- 
soner, because he would have a sight of 
this lady. And alway she doth him 
great despite, for sometimes she maketh 



92 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



her knights to tie him to his horse tail, 
and some to bind him under the horse 
belly. Thus in the most shamefullest 
wise that she can think he is brought to 
her. And all she doth it for to cause 
him to leave this country, and to leave 
his loving. But all this cannot make 
him to leave, for and he would have 
fought on foot he might have had the 
better of the ten knights as well on foot 
as on horseback, Alas ! said Sir Ga- 
waine, it is great pity of him, and after 
this night I will seek him to-morrow in 
this forest, to do him all the help that 
I can. So on the morn Sir Gawaine 
took his leave of his host Sir Carados, 
and rode into the forest. And at the 
last he met with Sir Pelleas making 
great moan out of measure, so each of 
them saluted other, and asked him why 
he made such sorrow. And as it is 
above rehearsed, Sir Pelleas told Sir 
Gawaine : But alway I suffer her knights 
to fare so with me as ye saw yesterday, 
in trust at the last to win her love, for 
she knoweth well all her knights should 
not lightly Avin me and me list to fight 
with them to the uttermost. Wherefore 
I loved her not so sore I had lever die 
an hundred times, and I might die so 
oft, rather than I would suffer that de- 
spite ; but I trust she will have pity upon 
me at the last, for love causeth many a 
good knight to suffer to have his in- 
tent, but, alas ! I am unfortunate. And 
therewith he made so great dole and 
sorrow that unnethe he might hold him 
on horseback. Now, said Sir Gawaine, 
leave your mourning, and I shall promise 
you by the faith of my body, to do all 
that lieth in my power to get you the 
love of your lady, and thereto I will 
plight you my troth. Ah, said Sir Pel- 
leas, of what court are ye ? tell me, I 
pray you, my good friend. And then 
Sir Gawaine said, I am of the court of 
king Arthur, and his sister's son, and 
king Lot of Orkney was my father, and 
my name is Sir Gawaine. And then he 
said, My name is Sir Pelleas, born in 
the Isles, and of many isles I am lord, 
and never have I loved lady nor damsel 
till now in an unhappy time ; and Sir 



knight, since ye are so nigh cousin unto 
king Arthur, and a king's son, therefore 
betray me not but help me, for I may 
never come by her but by some good 
knight, for she is in a strong castle 
here fast by within this four mile, and 
over all this country she is lady of. 
And so I may never come to her pre- 
sence but as I suffer her knights to take 
me, and but if I did so that 1 might have 
a sight of her, I had been dead long or 
this time, and yet fair word had I never 
of her, but when I am brought tofore 
her she rebuketh me in the foulest man- 
ner. And then they take my horse and 
harness, and put me out of the gates, 
and she will not suffer me to eat nor 
drink, and always I offer me to be her 
prisoner, but that she will not suffer me, 
for I would desire no more what pains 
soever I had, so that I might have a 
sight of her daily. Well, said Sir Ga- 
waine, all this shall I amend, and ye 
will do as I shall devise. I will have 
your horse and your armour, and so will 
I ride to her castle, and tell her that I 
have slain you, and so shall I come 
within her to cause her to cherish me, 
and then shall I do my true part that ye 
shall not fail to have the love of her. 

CHAP. XXII. 

How Sir Gmvaine cams to the lady Ettard, 
and how Sir Pelleas found them sleeping. 

And therewith Sir Gawaine plight his 
troth unto Sir Pelleas to be true and 
faithful unto him. So each one plight 
their troth to other, and so they changed 
horses and harness, and Sir Gawaine de- 
parted and came to the castle whereas 
stood the pavihons of this lady without 
the gate. And as soon as Ettard had 
espied Sir Gawaine she fled in toward the 
castle. Sir Gawaine spake on high, and 
bad her abide, for he was not Sir Pelleas : 
I am another knight that hath slain Sir 
Pelleas. Do off your helm, said the lady 
Ettard, that I may see your visage. And 
so when she saw that it was not Sir Pel- 
leas she made him alight, and led him 
unto her castle, and asked him faithfully 
whether he had slain Sir Pelleas. And 



CHAP. XXII. 



OF SIR PELLEAS AND ETTARD. 



93 



he said her yea, and told her his name was 
Sir Gawaine of the court of king Arthur, 
and his sister's son. Truly, said she, 
that is great pity, for he was a passing 
good knight of his body, but of all men 
on live I hated him most, for I could 
never be quit of him. And for ye have 
slain him I shall be your lady, and to do 
anything that may please you. So she 
made Sir Gawaine good cheer. Then 
Sir Gawaine said that he loved a lady, 
and by no mean she would love him. 
She is to blame, said Ettard, and she 
will not love you, for ye that be so well 
born a man, and such a man of prowess, 
there is no lady in the world too good 
for you. Will ye, said Sir Gawaine, 
promise me to do all that ye may, by 
the faith of your body, to get me the 
love of my lady ? Yea, sir, said she, and 
that I promise you by the faith of my 
body. Now, said Sir Gawaine, it is 
yourself that I love so well, therefore I 
pray you hold your promise. I may 
not choose, said the lady Ettard, but if 
I should be forsworn. And so she 
granted him to fulfil all his desire. 

So it was then in the month of May 
that she and Sir Gawaine went out of the 
castle and supped in a pavilion, and in 
another pavilion she laid her damsels, 
and in the third pavilion she laid part of 
her knights, for then she had no dread 
of Sir Pelleas. And there Sir Gawaine 
abode with her in that pavilion two days 
and two nights. And on the third day 
in the morning early Sir Pelleas armed 
him, for he had never slept since Sir 
Gawaine departed from him. For Sir 
Gawaine had promised him, by the faith 
of his body, to come to him unto his 
pavilion by that priory within the space 
of a day and a night. Then Sir Pelleas 
mounted upon horseback, and came to 
the paviHons that stood without the 
castle, and found in the first pavilion 
three knights in three beds, and three ■ 
squires lying at their feet. Then went 
he to the second pavilion and found 
four gentlewomen lying in four beds. 
And then he went to the third pavilion 
and found Sir Gawaine with his lady 
Ettard, and when he saw that his heart 



well nigh burst for sorrow, and said : 
Alas ! that ever a knight should be found 
so false. And then he took his horse, 
and might not abide no longer for pure 
sorrow. And when he had ridden nigh 
half a mile, he turned again and thought 
to slay them both : and when he saw 
them both sleeping fast, unnethe he 
might hold him on horseback for sor- 
row, and said thus to himself. Though 
this knight be never so false I will never 
slay, him sleeping ; for I will never de- 
stroy the high order of knighthood. 
And therewith he departed again. 
And or he had ridden half a mile he 
returned again, and thought then to slay 
them both, making the greatest sorrow 
that ever man made. And when he 
came to the pavilions he tied his horse 
to a tree, and pulled out his sword 
naked in his hand, and went to them 
there as they lay, and yet he thought 
it were shame to slay them sleep- 
ing, and laid the naked sword over- 
thwart both their throats, and so took 
his horse and rode his way. And 
when Sir Pelleas came to his pavi- 
lions he told his knights and his 
squires how he had sped, and said thus 
to them : For your true and good service 
ye have done me I shall give you all my 
goods, for I will go unto my bed, and 
never arise until I am dead. And when 
that I am dead I charge you that ye take 
the heart out of my body and bear it her 
betwixt two silver dishes, and tell her 
how I saw her with the false knight Sir 
Gawaine. Right so Sir Pelleas unarmed 
himself and went unto his bed, making 
marvellous dole and sorrow. 

Then Sir Gawaine and Ettard awoke 
out of their sleep, and found the naked 
sword overthwart their throats. Then 
she knew well it was Sir Pelleas' 
sword. Alas ! said she to Sir Gawaine, 
ye have betrayed me and Sir Pelleas both, 
for ye told me ye had slain him, and now 
I know well it is not so, he is on live. 
And if Sir Pelleas had been as uncour- 
teous to you as ye have been to him, ye 
had been a dead knight : but ye have 
deceived me and betrayed me falsely, 
that all ladies and damsels may beware 



94 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



j by you and me. And therewith Sir 
! Gawaine made him ready and went into 
! the forest. So it happed then that 
j the damsel of the lake Nimue met 
j with a knight of Sir Pelleas, that 
went on his foot in the forest making 
great dole, and she asked him the 
cause. And so the woful knight told 
her how that his master and lord was 
betrayed through a knight and a lady, 
and how he will never arise out of 
his bed till he be dead. Bring me to 
him, said she, anon, and I will warrant 
his life, he shall not die for love, and 
she that hath caused him so to love 
j she shall be in as evil plight as he is 
[ or it be long, for it is no joy of such a 
proud lady that will have no mercy of 
such a valiant knight. Anon that knight 
brought her unto him. And when she 
saw him lie in his bed, she thought she 
saw never so likely a knight : and there- 
with she threw an enchantment upon 
him, and he fell on sleep. And there- 
while she rode unto the lady Ettard, 
and charged no man to awake him till 
she came again. So within two hours 
she brought the lady Ettard thither, and 
both ladies found him on sleep. Lo, 
said the damsel of the lake, ye ought to 
be ashamed for to rtiurder such a knight. 
And therewith she threw such an en- 
chantment upon her that she loved liim 
sore, that well nigh she was out of her 
mind. Alas ! said the lady Ettard, how 
is it befallen unto me that I love now 
him that I have most hated of any men 
alive. That is the righteous judgment 
of God, said the damsel. And then 
anon Sir Pelleas awaked, and looked 
upon Ettard. And when he saw her 
he knew her, and then he hated her 
more than any woman alive, and said : 
Away traitress, come never in my sight. 
And when she heard him say so, she 
wept and made great sorrow out of 
measure. 

CHAP. XXIII. 

How Sir Pelleas loved no more Ettard by 
means of the damsel of the lake, whom 
he loved ever after. 
Sir knight Pelleas, said the damsel of 



the lake, take your horse and come forth 
with me out of this country, and ye shall 
love a lady that shall love you. I will 
well, said Sir Pelleas, for this lady Ettard 
hath done me gi-eat despite and shame. 
And there he told her the beginning 
and ending, and how he had purposed 
never to have arisen till that he had been 
dead, — and now I hate her as much as 
ever I loved her. Thank me, said the 
damsel of the lake. Anon Sir Pelleas 
armed him, and took his horse, and 
commanded his men to bring after his 
pavilions and his stuff where the damsel 
of the lake would assign. So the lady 
Ettard died for sorrow, and the damsel 
of the lake rejoiced Sir Pelleas, anc^ 
loved together during their life days* J 

CHAP. XXIV. ; 

How Sir Marhaus rode with the damsel, 
and how he came to the duke of the South 

Marches. 

Now turn we unto Sir Marhaus that 
rode with the damsel of thirty winter 
of age southward. And so they came 
into a deep forest, and by fortune they 
were nighted, and rode long in a deep 
way, and at the last they came into a 
court elage, and there theyasked harbour. 
But the man of the courtelage would not 
lodge them for no treaty that they 
could treat. But thus much the good 
man said : And ye will take the adven- 
ture of your lodging, I shall bring you 
there ye shall be lodged. What adven- 
ture is that that I shall have for my 
lodging? said Sir Marhaus. Ye shall 
wit when ye come there, said the good 
man. Sir, what adventure so it be 
bring me thither, I pray thee, said Sir 
Marhaus, for I am weary, my damsel 
and my horse. So the good man went 
and opened the gate, and within an 
hour he brought him unto a fair castle. 
And then the poor man called the por- 
ter, and anon he was let into the castle, 
and so told the lord how he brought 
him a knight errant and a damsel that 
would be lodged with him. Let him 
in, said the lord, it may happen he shall 
repent that they took their lodging here. 



THE ADVENTURE OF SIR MARHAUS. 



95 



So Sir Marhaus was let in with torch 
light, and there was a goodly sight of 
young men that welcomed him. And 
then his horse was led into the stable, and 
he and the damsel were brought into 
the hall, and there stood a mighty duke, 
and many goodly men about him. Then 
this lord asked him what he hight, and 
from whence he came, and with whom 
he dwelt. Sir, said he, I am a knight 
of king Arthur's, and knight of the 
Table Round, and my name is Sir Mar- 
haus, and born I am in Ireland. And, 
then said the duke to him, That me 
sore repenteth : the cause is this : for I 
love not thy lord, nor none of thy fel- 
lows of the Table Round, and therefore 
ease thyself this night as well as thou 
mayest, for as to-morn I and my six 
sons shall match with you. Is there 
no remedy but that I must have ado 
with you and your six sons at once? 
said Sir Marhaus. No, said the duke, 
for this cause I made mine avow, for Sir 
Gawaine slew my seven sons in a re- 
counter, therefore I made mine avow 
that there should never knight of king 
Arthur's court lodge with me, or come 
there as I might have ado with him, but 
that I would have a revenging of my 
sons' death. What is your name ? said 
Sir Marhaus ; I require you tell me, and 
it please you. Wit ye well that I am 
the duke of South Marches. Ah, said 
Sir Marhaus, I have heard say that 
ye have been a long time a great foe 
unto my lord Arthur and to his knights. 
That shall ye feel to-morn, said the 
duke. Shall I have ado with you? said 
Sir Marhaus. Yea, said the duke, thereof 
shalt thou not choose, and therefore take 
you to your chamber, and ye shall have 
all that to you belongeth. So Sir Mar- 
haus departed, and was led to a chamber, 
and his damsel was led unto her cham- 
ber. And on the morn the duke sent 
unto Sir Marhaus, and bad make him 
ready. And so Sir Marhaus arose and 
armed him, and then there was a mass 
sung afore him, and he brake his fast, 
and so mounted on horseback in the 
court of the castle, there they should 
do the battle. So there was the duke 



already on horseback, clean armed, and 
his six sons by him, and every each had 
a spear in his hand, and so they en- 
countered, where as the duke and his 
two sons brake their spears upon him, 
but Sir Marhaus held up his spear and 
touched none of them. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How Sir Marhaus fought with the duke 
and his six sons, and made them to yield 
them. 

Then came the four sons by couples, 
and two of them brake their spears, and 
so did the other two. And all this 
while Sir Marhaus touched them not. 
Then Sir Marhaus ran to the duke, 
and smote him with his spear that 
horse and man fell to the earth. And 
so he served his sons. And then Sir 
Marhaus alight down, and bad the 
duke yield him or else he would slay 
him. And then some of his sons re- 
covered, and would have set upon Sir 
Marhaus. Then Sir Marhaus said to 
the duke, Cease thy sons, or else I will 
do the uttermost to you all. When the 
duke saw he might not escape the death, 
he cried to his sons, and charged them to 
yield them to Sir Marhaus. And they 
kneeled all down and put the pommels 
of their swords to the knight, and so he 
received them. And then they holp up 
their father, and so by their common 
assent promised unto Sir Marhaus never 
to be foes unto king Arthur, and there- 
upon at Whitsuntide after, to come 
he and his sons, and put them in the 
king's grace. Then Sir Marhaus de- 
parted, and within two days his damsel 
brought him where as was a great tour- 
nament that the lady de Vawse had cried. 
And who that did best should have a 
rich circlet of gold worth a thousand 
besaunts. And there Sir Marhaus did 
so nobly that he was renowned, and had 
some time down forty knights, and so 
the circlet of gold was rewarded him. 
Then he departed from thence with 
great worship. And so within seven 
nights the damsel brought him to an 
earl's place, his name was the earl Fergus, 



96 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK IV. 



that after was Sir Tristram's knight. 
And this earl was but a young man, and 
late come into his lands, and there was 
a giant fast by him that hight Taulurd, 
and he had another brother in Corn- 
wall that hight Taulas, that Sir Tris- 
tram slew when he was out of his mind. 
So this earl made his complaint unto Sir 
Marhaus, that there was a giant by him 
that destroyed all his lands, and how he 
durst nowhere ride nor go for him- 
Sir, said the knight, whether useth he 
to fight on horseback or on foot ? Nay, 
said the earl, there may no horse bear 
him. Well, said Sir Marhaus, then will 
I fight with him on foot. So on the 
morn Sir Marhaus prayed the earl that 
one of his men might bring him whereas 
the giant was, and so he was, for he 
saw him sit under a tree of holly, and 
many clubs of iron and gisarms about 
him. So this knight dressed him to 
the giant, putting his shield afore him, 
and the giant took an iron club in his 
hand, and at the first stroke he clave Sir 
Marhaus's shield in two pieces. And 
there he was in great peril, for the giant 
was a wily fighter, but at the last Sir 
Marhaus smote off his right arm above 
the elbow. Then the giant fled, and 
the knight after him, and so he drove 
him into a water, but the giant was so 
high that he might not wade after him. 
And then Sir Marhaus made the earl 
Fergus's man to fetch him stones, and 
with those stones the knight gave the 
giant many sore knocks, till at the last 
he made him fall down into the water, 
and so was he there dead. Then Sir Mar- 
haus went unto the giant's castle, and 
there he delivered twenty-four ladies and 
twelve knights out of the giant's prison, 
and there he had great riches without 
number, so that the days of his life he 
was never poor man. Then he returned 
to the earl Fergus, the which thanked 
him greatly and would have given him 
half his lands, but he would none take. 
So Sir Marhaus dwelled with the earl 
nigh half a year, for he was sore bruised 
with the giant, and at the last he took 
his leave. And as he rode by the way, 
he met with Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine, 



and so by adventure he met with four 
knights of king Arthur's court, the first 
was Sir Sagramore le Desirous, Sir 
Osanna, Sir Dodinas le Savage, and Sir 
Felot of Listinoise ; and there Sir Mar- 
haus with one spear smote down these 
four knights, and hurt them sore. So 
he departed to meet at his day afore set. 

CHAP. XXVII. 

How Sir Uwaine rode with the damsel of 
threescore years of age, and how he got 
the prize at tourneying. 

Now turn we unto Sir Uwaine, that 
rode westward with his damsel of three- 
score winter of age, and she brought 
him there as was a tournament nigh the 
march of Wales. And at that tourna- 
ment Sir Uwaine smote down thirty 
knights, therefore was given him the 
prize, and that was a gerfalcon and 
a white steed trapped with cloth of 
gold. So then Sir Uwaine did many 
strange adventures by the means of 
the old damsel, and so she brought 
him unto a lady that was called the 
lady of the Rock, the which was 
much courteous. So there were in 
the country two knights that were 
brethren, and they were called two 
perilous knights, the one hight Sir 
Edward of the Red Castle, and the 
other hight Sir Hue of the Red Castle. 
And these two brethren had disherited 
the lady of the Rock of a barony of 
lands by their extortion. And as this 
knight was lodged with this lady, she 
made her complaint to him of these two 
knights. Madam, said Sir Uwaine, they 
are to blame, for they do against the 
high order of knighthood and the oath 
that they made ; and if it like you I will 
speak with them, because I am a knight 
of king Arthur's, and I will entreat 
them with fairness; and if they will 
not, I shall do battle with them, and in 
the defence of your right. Gramercy! 
said the lady, and there as I may not 
acquit you, God shall. So on' the morn 
the two knights were sent for, that they 
should come hither to speak with the 
lady of the Rock. And wit ye well they 



CHAP. XXVIII. 



THE ADVENTURE OF SIR UWAINE. 



97 



failed not, for they came with an hun- 
dred horse. But when fliis lady saw 
them in this manner so big, she would 
not suffer Sir Uwaine to go out to 
them upon no surety nor for no fair 
language, but she made him speak 
with them over a tower. But finally 
these two brethren would not be en- 
treated, and answered that they would 
keep that they had. Well, said Sir 
Uwaine, then will I fight with one of 
you, and prove that ye do this lady 
wrong. That will we not, said they, 
for and we do battle we two will fight 
with one knight at once, and therefore 
if ye will fight so we will be ready at 
what hour ye will assign. And if ye 
win us in battle the lady shall have her 
lands again. Ye say well, said Sir 
Uwaine, therefore make you ready, so 
that ye be here tomorn in the defence 
of the lady's right. 

CHAP. XXVIII. 

How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights, 
and overcame them. 

So was there agreement made on 
both parties, that no treason should be 
wrought on neither party. So then the 
knights departed and made them ready. 
And that night Sir Uwaine had great 
cheer. And on the morn he arose 
early and heard mass, and brake his 
fast, and so he rode unto the plain 
without the gates, where hoved the two 
brethren abiding him. So they rode 
together passing sore, that Sir Edward 
and Sir Hue brake their spears upon 
Sir Uwaine. And Sir Uwaine smote 
Sir Edward that he fell over his horse, 
and yet his spear brast not. And then 
he spurred his horse and came upon Sir 
Hue, and overthrew him ; but they soon 
recovered and dressed their shields and 
drew their swords, and bad Sir Uwaine 
alight and do his battle to the utter- 
most. Then Sir Uwaine avoided his 
horse suddenly, and put his shield 
afore him and drew his sword, and 
so they dressed together, and either 
gave other such strokes, and there 
these two brethren wounded Sir Uwaine 



passing grievously, that the lady of 
the Rock wend he should have died. 
And thus they fought together five 
hours as men enraged out of reason. 
And at the last Sir Uwaine smote Sir 
Edward upon the helm such a stroke 
that his sword carved unto his collar- 
bone, and then Sir Hue abated his 
courage. But Sir Uwaine pressed fast 
to have slain him. That saw Sir Hue : 
he kneeled down and yielded him to 
Sir Uwaine. And he of his gentleness 
received his sword, and took him by the 
hand and went into the castle together. 
Then the lady of the Rock was passing 
glad, and the other brother made great 
sorrow for his brother's death. Then 
the lady was restored of all her lands, 
and Sir Hue was commanded to be at 
the court of king Arthur at the next feast 
of Pentecost. So Sir Uwaine dwelt with 
the lady nigh half a year, for it was 
long or he might be whole of his great 
hurts. And so when it drew nigh the 
term-day that Sir Gawaine, Sir Marhaus, 
and Sir Uwaine should meet at the cross 
way, then every knight drew him thither 
to hold his promise that they had made. 
And Sir Marhaus and Sir Uwaine 
brought their damsels with them, but 
Sir Gawaine had lost his damsel, as it 
is afore rehearsed. 

CHAP. XXIX. 

How at the year's end all three knights 
with their three damsels met at the 
fou7itain. 

Right so at the twelvemonth's end 
they met all three knights at the foun- 
tain, and their damsels. But the damsel 
that Sir Gawaine had could say but 
little worship of him. So they de- 
parted from the damsels and rode 
through a great forest, and there they 
met with a messager that came from 
king Arthur, that had sought them 
\^ell nigh a twelvemonth throughout 
all England, Wales, and Scotland, and 
charged if ever he might find Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Uwaine, to bring them to 
the court again. And then were they 
all glad. And so prayed they Sir 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK V. 



Marhaus to ride with them to the 
king's court. And so within twelve 
days they came to Camelot; and the 
king was passing glad of their coming, 
and so was all the court. Then the 
king made them to swear upon a book 
to tell him all their adventures that had 
befallen them that twelvemonth, and so 
they did. And there was Sir Marhaus 
well known; for there were knights 
that he had matched aforetime, and he 
was named one of the best knights 
living. Against the feast of Pentecost 
came the damsel of the lake, and 
brought with her Sir Pelleas. And at 
that high feast there was great justing 
of knights, and of all the knights that 
were at that justs Sir Pelleas had the 
prize, and Sir Marhaus was named the 
next ; but Sir Pelleas was so strong 
that there might but few knights sit 
him a buffet with a spear. And at that 
next feast Sir Pelleas and Sir Marhaus 
were made knights of the Table Round, 
for there were two sieges void, for two 



knights Avere slain that twelvemonth; 
and great joy had king Arthur of Sir 
Pelleas and of Sir Marhaus. But Pelleas 
loved never after Sir Gawaine, but as he 
spared him for the love of king Arthur. 
But ofttimes at justs and tournaments 
Sir Pelleas quit Sir Gawaine, for so it 
rehearseth in the book of French. So 
Sir Tristram m.any days after fought 
with Sir Marhaus in an island, and 
there they did a great battle, but at the 
last Sir Tristram slew him. So Sir 
Tristram was wounded that hardly he 
might recover, and lay at a nunnery 
half a year. And Sir Pelleas was a 
worshipful knight, and was one of the 
four that achieved the Sangreal. And 
the damsel of the lake made by her 
means that never he had ado with Sir 
Launcelot de Lake, for where Sir 
Launcelot was at any justs or any 
tournament she would not suffer him 
to be there that day, but if it were on 
the side of Sir Launcelot. 



lEipUcit M^tx 5uartu0, Incipft Ubct quintug. 



®6e iFiM 3i3ooR. 



CHAP. L 

Hoiu twelve oged ambassadors of Rome 
came to king Arthur to demand truage 
for Britain. 

When king Arthur had after long 
war rested, and held a royal feast and 
Table Round with his allies of kings, 
princes, and noble knights all of the 
Round Table, there came into his hall, 
he sitting in his throne royal, twelve 
ancient men, bearing each of them a 
branch of olive in token that they came 
as ambassadors and messagers from j 
the emperor Lucius, which was called 
at that time Dictator or Procurer of 
the Public Weal of Rome. Which 
said messagers, after their entering and 



coming into the presence of king Ar- 
thur, did to him their obeisance in 
making to him reverence, and said to 
him in this wise : The high and mighty 
emperor Lucius sendeth to the king of 
Britain greeting, commanding thee tol 
acknowledge him for thy lord, and to 
send him the truage due of this realm 
unto the empire, which thy father and 
other tofore thy predecessors have paid 
as is of record, and thou as rebel not 
knowing him as thy sovereign, withhold- 
est and retainest contrary to the statutes 
and decrees made by the noble and 
worthy Julius Cesar, conqueror of this 
realm, and first emperor of Rome. 
And if thou refuse his demand and 
commandment, know thou for certain 



HOW THE ROMANS DEMANDED TRIBUTE. 



99 



that he shall make strong war against 
thee, thy realms and lands, and shall 
chastise thee and thy subjects, that it 
shall be ensample perpetual unto all 
kings and princes for to deny their truage 
unto that noble empire which domineth 
upon the universal world. Then when 
they had shewed the effect of their 
message, the king commanded them to 
withdraw them, and said he should take 
advice of council, and give to them an 
answer. Then some of the young 
knights hearing this their message would 
have i-un on them to have slain them, 
saying that it was a rebuke unto all 
the knights there being present to suffer 
them to say so to the king. And anon 
the king commanded that none of them 
upon pain of death to missay them, nor 
do them any harm, and commanded a 
knight to bring them to their lodging, 
and see that they have all that is necesr 
sary and requisite for them with the 
best cheer, and that no dainty be spared, 
for the Romans be great lords, and 
though their message please me not, 
nor my court, yet I must remember 
mine honour. After this the king let 
call all his lords and knights of the 
Round Table to council upon this 
matter, and desired them to say their 
advice. Then Sir Cador of Corn- 
wall spake first, and said, Sir, this 
message liketh me well, for we have 
many days rested us and have been 
idle, and now I hope ye shall make 
sharp v/ar on the Romans, where I 
doubt not we shall get honour. I be- 
lieve well, said Arthur, that this matter 
pleaseth thee well, but these answers 
may not be answered, for the demand 
grieveth me sore ; for truly I will never 
pay no truage to Rome, wherefore I 
pray you to counsel me. I have under- 
stood that Belinus and Brenius, kings 
of Britain, have had the empire in their 
hands many days, and also Constantine 
the son of queen Heleine, which is an 
open evidence that we owe no tribute 
to Rome, but of right we that be de- 
scended of them have right to claim the 
title of the empire. 



CHAP. II. 

How the khigs and lords promised to 
king Arthur aid and help against the 
Rot?ians. 

Then answered king Anguish of Scot- 
land, Sir, ye ought of right to be above 
all other kings, for unto you is none like 
nor pareil in all Christendom, of knight- 
hood ne of dignity, and I counsel you 
never to obey the Romans, for when they 
reigned on us they distressed our elders, 
and put this land to great extortions and 
tallages, wherefore I make here mine 
avow to avenge me on them ; and for 
to strengthen your quarrel I shall fur- 
nish twenty thousand good men of war, 
and wage them on my costs, which shall 
await on you with myself, when it 
shall please you. And the king of 
Little Britain granted him to the same 
thirty thousand ; wherefore king Arthur 
thanked them. And then every man 
agreed to make war, and to aid after 
their power ; that is to wit, the lord of 
West Wales promised to bring thirty 
thousand men, and Sir Uwaine, Sir Ider 
his son, with their cousins, promised to 
bring thirty thousand. Then Sir Laun- 
celot with all other promised in like- 
wise every man a great multitude. And 
when king Arthur understood their cou- 
rages and good wills he thanked them 
heartily, and after let call the ambassa- 
dors to hear their answer. And in pre- 
sence of all his lords and knights he said 
to them in this wise : I will that ye re- 
turn unto your lord and Procuror of the 
Common Weal for the Romans, and say 
to him. Of his demand and command- 
ment I set nothing, and that I know of 
no truage, ne tribute, that I owe to him, 
ne to none earthly prince. Christian 
ne heathen ; but I pretend to have and 
occupy the sovereignty of the empire, 
wherein I am entitled by the right of my 
predecessors, sometime kings of this 
laud ; and say to him that I am delibe- 
j rated, and fully concluded, to go Vt'ith 
mine army with strength and power unto 
Rome by the grace of God to take pos- 
session in the empire, and subdue them 
that be rebel. Wherefore I command 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



him, and all them of Rome, that incon- 
tinent they make to me their homage, 
and to acknowledge me foi* their em- 
peror and governor, upon pain that shall 
ensue. And then he commanded his 
treasurer to give them great and large 
gifts, and to pay all their expenses, and 
assigned Sir Cador to convey them out 
of the land. And so they took their 
leave and departed, and took their sliip- 
ping at Sandwich, and passed forth by 
Flanders, Almain^ the mountains, and 
all Italy, until they came unto Lucius. 
And after the reverence made, they made 
relation of their answer, like as ye tofore 
have heard. When the emperor Lucius 
had well understood their credence, he 
was sore moved as he had been all en- 
raged, and said: I had supposed that 
Arthur would have obeyed to my com- 
mandment, and have served you himself, 
as him well beseemed or any other king 
to do. O sir, said one of the sena- 
tors, let be such vain words, for we let 
you wit that I and my fellows were 
full sore afeard to behold his coun- 
tenance ; I fear me ye have made a rod 
for yourself, for he intendeth to be lord 
of this empire, which sore is to be 
doubted if he come, for he is all another 
man than ye ween, and holdeth the most 
noble court of the world ; all other kings 
ne princes may not compare unto his 
noble maintenance. On new year's day 
we saw him in his estate, which was the 
royalest that ever we saw, for he was 
served at his table with nine kings and 
the noblest fellowship of other princes, 
lords, and knights, that be in the world, 
and every knight approved and like a 
lord, and holdeth Table Round : and in 
his person the most manly man that 
liveth, and is like to conquer all the 
world, for unto his courage it is too 
little: wherefore I advise you to keep 
well your marches and straits in the 
mountains ; for certainly he is a lord to 
be doubted. Well, said Lucius, before 
Easter I suppose to pass the mountains 
and so forth into France, and there be- 
reave him his lands with Genoese and 
other mighty warriors of Tuscany and 
Lombardy. And I shall send for them 



all that be subjects and allied to the 
empire of Rome to come to mine aid. 
And forthwith sent old wise knights 
unto these countries following : first, to 
Ambage and Arrage, to Alisandrie, to 
Inde, to Hermonie where as the river of 
Euphrates runneth into Asia, to Affrike, 
and Europe the large, to Ertaine and 
Elamie, to Arabic, Egypt, and to Da- 
maske, to Damiete and Cayer, to Capa- 
doce, to Tarce, Turkey, Pounce, and 
Pampoille, to Surrie, and Galacie. And 
all these were subject to Rome, and 
many more, as Greece, Cyprus, Mace- 
done, Calabre, Cateland, Portingale, 
with many thousands of Spaniards. 
Thus all these kings, dukes, and admi- 
rals assembled about Rome with sixteen 
kings at once, with great multitude of 
people. W'hen the emperor understood 
their coming, he made ready his Romans 
and all the people between him and 
Flanders. Also he had gotten with him 
fifty giants which had been born of 
fiends ; and they were ordained to guard 
his person, and to break the front of 
the battle of king Arthur. 

And thus he departed from Rome, 
and came down the mountains for to 
destroy the lands that king Arthur had 
conquered, and came to Cologne, and 
besieged a castle thereby, and won it 
soon, and stuffed it with two hundred 
Saracens or infidels, and after destroyed 
many fair countries which Arthur had 
won of king Claudas. And thus Lucius 
came with all his host which were spread 
out threescore mile in breadth, and com- 
manded them to meet with him in Bur- 
goyne, for he purposed to destroy the 
realm of Little Britain. 



CHAP. in. 

Hoiv king Arthur held a parliament at 
Yofk, afid how he ordained how the 
realm should be governed in his ab- 
sence. 

Now leave we of Lucius the emperor, 
and speak we of king Arthur, that com- 
manded all them of his retinue to be 
ready at the utas of Hilary for to 
hold a parliament at York. And at 



CHAP, V, 



HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH A GIANT. 



that parliament was concluded to arrest 
all the navy of the land, and to be ready 
within fifteen days at Sandwich ; and 
there he shewed to his army how he 
purposed to conquer the empire which 
he ought to have of right. And there 
he ordained two governors of this 
realm, that is to say. Sir Bawdwin of 
Britain, for to counsel to the best, and 
Sir Constantine, son to Sir Cador of 
Cornwall, which after the death of 
Arthur was king of this realm. And 
in the presence of all his lords he re- 
signed the rule of the realm and Gue- 
never his queen unto them, wherefore 
Sir Launcelot was wroth, for he left 
Sir Tristram with king Mark for the 
love of Beale Isould. Then the queen 
Guenever made great sorrow for the 
departing of her lord and other, and 
swooned in such wise that the ladies 
bare her into her chamber. Thus the 
king with his great army departed, leav- 
ing the queen and realm in the govern- 
ance of Sir Bawdwin and Constantine. 
And when he was on his horse he said 
with an high voice, If I die in this 
journey, I will that Sir Constantine be 
mine heir and king crowned of this 
realm as next of my blood. And after 
departed and entered into the sea at 
Sandwich with all his army, with a great 
multitude of ships, galleys, cogges, and 
dromons, sailing on the sea. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Tiing Arthur being shipped and lying 
in his cabin had a marvellous dream, 
and of the exposition thereof. 

AxD as the king lay in his cabin in 
the ship, he fell in a slumbering, and 
dreamed a marvellous dream : him 
seemed that a dreadful dragon did 
drown much of his people, and he came 
flying out of the west, and his head was 
enamelled with azure, and his shoulders 
shone as gold, his belly like mails of a 
marvellous hue, his tail full of tatters, 
his feet full of fine sable, and his claws 
like fine gold ; and an hideous flame of 
fire flew out of his mouth, like as the 
land and water had flamed all of fire. 



After him seemed there came out of the 
orient a grimly boar all black in a cloud, 
and his paws as big as a post ; he was 
rugged looking roughly, he was the 
foulest beast that ever man saw, he 
roared and romed so hideously that it 
were marvel to hear. Then the dread- 
ful dragon advanced him, and came in 
the wind like a falcon, giving great 
strokes on the boar, and the boar hit 
him again with his grisly tusks that his 
breast was all bloody, and that the hot 
blood made all the sea red of his blood. 
Then the dragon flew away all on an 
height, and came down with such a 
swough, and smote the boar on the ridge, 
which was ten foot large from the head 
to the tail, and smote the boar all to 
powder, both flesh and bones, that it 
flittered all abroad on the sea. And 
therewith the king awoke anon and 
was sore abashed of this dream ; and 
sent anon for a wise philosopher, com- 
manding to tell him the signification of 
his dream. Sir, said the philosopher, 
the dragon that thou dreamedst of be- 
tokeneth thine own person that sailest 
here, and the colour of his wings be thy 
realms that thou hast won, and his tail 
which is all to-tattered signifieth the 
noble knights of the Round Table. And! 
the boar that the dragon slew coming 
from the clouds, betokeneth some tyrant 
that tormenteth the people, or else thou 
art like to fight with some giant thyself, 
being horrible and abominable, whose 
peer ye saw never in your days ; where- 
fore of this dreadful dream doubt thee 
nothing, but as a conqueror come forth 
thyself. Then after this soon they had 
sight of land, and sailed till they arrived 
at Barflete in Flanders, and when they 
were there he found many of his great 
lords ready as they had been com- 
manded to await upon him. 

CHAP. V. 

Ho7v a man of the country told to him of a 
marvellojis giant, and how he fought 
and conquered him. 

Then came to him an husbandman of 
the country, and told him how there 



DkrAiA 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



was in the country of Constantine, be- 
side Britany, a great tyrant which had 
slain, murdered, and devoured much 
people of the country, and had been 
sustained seven year with the children 
of the commons of that land, insomuch, 
that all the children be all slain and de- 
stroyed, and now late he hath taken the 
duchess of Britany as she rode with her 
train, and hath led her to his lodging 
which is in a mountain, for to keep her 
to her life's end ; and many people fol- 
lowed her, more than five hundred, but 
all they might not rescue her, but they 
left her shrieking and crying lamentably, 
wherefore I suppose that he hath slain 
her. She was wife unto thy cousin Sir 
Howell, whom we call full nigh of thy 
blood. Now as thou art a rightful king 
have pity on this lady, and revenge us 
all as thou art a noble conqueror. 
Alas ! said king Arthur, this is a great 
mischief, I had lever than the best realm 
that I have that I had been a furlong 
way tofore him, for to have rescued that 
lady. Now fellow, said king Arthur, 
canst thou bring me there as this giant 
haunteth ? Yea, Sir, said the good 
man, lo yonder where as thou seest 
those two great fires, there thou shalt 
find him, and more treasure than I sup- 
pose is in all France. \Vhen the king 
had understood this piteous case he re- 
turned into his tent. 

Then he called unto him Sir Kay 
and Sir Bedivere, and commanded them 
secretly to make ready horse and har- 
ness for himself and them twain, for 
after even-song he would ride on pil- 
grimage with them two only unto Saint 
Michael's mount. And then anon he 
made him ready and armed him at all 
points, and took his horse and his 
shield. And so they three departed 
thence, and rode forth as fast as ever 
they might till that they came unto the 
foot of that mount. And there they 
alighted, and the king commanded them 
to tarry there, for he would himself go up 
into that mount. And so he ascended 
up into that hill till he came to a great 
fire, and there he found a careful widow 
wringing her hands and making great 



sorrow, sitting by a grave new made. 
And then king Arthur saluted her, and 
demanded of her wherefore she made 
such lamentation : to whom she answered 
and said. Sir knight, speak soft, for yon- 
der is a devil : if he hear thee speak he 
will come and destroy thee ; I hold thee 
unhappy; what dost thou here in this 
mountain ? for if ye were such fifty as 
ye be, ye were not able to make resist- 
ance against this devil: here lieth a 
duchess dead, the which was the fairest 
of all the world, wife to Sir Howell 
duke of Britany; he hath murdered 
her. Dame, said the king, I come from 
the noble conqueror king Arthur, for 
to treat with that tyrant for his liege 
people. Fie upon such treaties, said 
the widow, he setteth not by the king, 
nor by no man else. But and if thou 
have brought Arthur's wife, dame 
Guenever, he shall be gladder than thou 
hadst given to him half France. Be- 
ware, approach him not too nigh, for he 
hath vanquished fifteen kings, and hath 
made him a coat full of precious stones, 
embroidered with their beards, which 
they sent him to have his love for salva- 
tion of their people at this last Christ- 
mas. And if thou wilt, speak with him 
at yonder great fire at supper. Well, 
said Arthur, I will accomplish my mes- 
sage for all your fearful words ; and went 
forth by the crest of that hill, and saw 
where he sat at supper gnawing on a 
limb of a man, baking his broad limbs 
by the fire, and three fair damsels turn- 
ing three spits, whereon were broached 
twelve young children late born, like 
young birds. When king Arthur beheld 
that piteous sight he had great compas- 
sion on them so that his heart bled for 
sorrow, and hailed him saying in this 
wise: He that all the world wieldeth, 
give thee short life and shameful death, 
and the devil have thy soul ! AVhy hast 
thou murdered these young innocent 
children, and murdered this duchess? 
Therefore arise and dress thee, thou 
glutton ; for this day shalt thou die of 
my hand. Then the glutton anon start 
up and took a great club in his hand, 
and smote at the king that his coronal 



OF THE FIRST FIGHTING WITH THE ROMANS. 



103 



fell to the earth. And the king hit him 
again that he carved his belly that his 
entrails fell down to the ground. Then 
the giant threw away his club, and 
caught the king in his arms that he 
crushed his ribs. Then the three maid- 
ens kneeled down and called to Christ 
for help and comfort of Arthur. And 
then Arthur weltered and wrung that he 
was other while under and another time 
above. And so weltering and wallowing 
they rolled down the hill till they came 
to the sea mark, and ever as they so wel- 
tered Arthur smote him with his dagger, 
and it fortuned they came to the place 
where as the two knights were and kept 
Arthur's horse. Then when they saw the 
king fast in the giant's arms they came 
and loosed him. And then the king 
commanded Sir Kay to smite off the 
giant's head, and to set it upon a trun- 
cheon of a spear and bear it to Sir 
Howell, and tell him that his enemy 
was slain, and after let this head be 
bound to a barbican ^hat all the people 
may see and behold it ; and go ye two up 
to the mountain and fetch me my shield, 
my sword, and the club of iron. And 
as for the treasure take ye it, for ye shall 
find there goods out of number. So I 
have the kirtle and the club I desire no 
more. This was the fiercest giant that 
ever I met with, save one in the mount 
of Arabe which I overcame, but this 
was greater and fiercer. Then the 
knights fetched the club and the kirtle, 
and some of the treasure they took to 
themselves, and returned again to the 
host. And anon this was known 
through all the country, wherefore the 
people came and thanked the king. And 
he said again. Give the thanks to God, 
and part the goods among you. And after 
that, king Arthur said and commanded 
his cousin Howell that he should ordain 
for a church to be builded on the same 
hill, in the worship of Saint Michael. 
And on the morn the king removed 
with his great battle and came into 
Champaync, and in a valley, and there 
they pight their tents. And the king 
being set at his dinner, there came in two 
messagers, of whom the one was mar- 



shal of France, and said to the king that 
the emperor was entered into France 
and had destroyed a great part, and was 
in Burgoyne, and had destroyed and 
made great slaughter of people, and 
burnt towns and boroughs; wherefore, 
if thou come not hastily, they must yield 
up their bodies and goods. 

CHAP. VI. 

How king Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and 
others to Lucius, and how they were 
assailed and escaped with worship. 

Then the king did do call Sir Ga- 
waine, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir 
Bedivere, and commanded them to go 
straight to Sir Lucius, and say ye to 
him that hastily he remove out of my 
land. And if he will not, bid him make 
him ready to battle, and not distress the 
poor people. Then anon these noble 
knights dressed them to horseback. 
And when they came to the green wood, 
they saw many pavilions set in a mea- 
dow, of silk of divers colours, beside a 
river, and the emperor's pavilion w'as 
in the middle with an eagle displayed 
above. To the which tent our knights 
rode toward, and ordained Sir Gawaine 
and Sir Bors to do the message, and left 
in a bushment Sir Lionel and Sir Bedi- 
vere. And then Sir Gawaine and Sir 
Bors did their message, and commanded 
Lucius in Arthur's name to avoid his 
land, or shortly to address him to battle. 
To whom Lucius answered and said : Ye 
shall return to your lord and say ye to 
him, that I shall subdue him and all his 
lands. Then Sir Gawaine was wroth, 
and said, I had lever than all France 
fight against thee. And so had I, said 
Sir Bors, lever than all Britany or Bur- 
goyne. Then a knight named Sir Gainus, 
high cousin to the emperor, said, Lo, 
how these Britons be full of pride and 
boast, and they brag as though they bare 
up all the world. Then Sir Gawaine 
was sore grieved with these words, and 
pulled out his sword and smote off his 
head. And therewith turned their horses 
and rode over waters and through woods 
till they came to their bushment where as 



[04 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Sir Lionel and Sir Bedivere were hoving. 
The Romans followed fast after on 
horseback and on foot over a cham- 
paign unto a wood ; then Sir Bors turned 
his horse and saw a knight come fast on, 
whom he smote through the body with 
a spear, that he fell dead down to the 
earth. Then came Calibum, one of the 
strongest of Pavie, and smote down many 
of Arthur's knights. And when Sir Bors 
saw him do so much harm, he addressed 
toward him, and smote him through the 
breast, that he fell down dead to the 
earth. Then Sir Feldenak thought to 
revenge the death of Gainus upon Sir 
Gawaine, but Sir Gawaine was ware 
thereof, and smote him on the head, 
which stroke stinted not till it came to 
his breast. And then he returned and 
came to his fellows in the bushment. 
And there was a recounter, for the 
bushment brake on the Romans, and 
slew and hewed down the Romans, and 
forced the Romans to flee and return ; 
whom the noble knights chased unto 
their tents. Then the Romans gathered 
more people, and also footmen came 
on, and there was a new battle, and so 
much people that Sir Bors and Sir Be- 
rel were taken. But when Sir Gawaine 
saw that, he took with him Sir Idrus the 
good knight, and said he would never 
see king Arthur but if he rescued them, 
and pulled out Galatine his good sword, 
and followed them that led those two 
knights away, and he smote him that 
led Sir Bors, and took Sir Bors from 
him, and delivered him unto his fellows. 
And Sir Idrus in like wise rescued Sir. 
Berel. Then began the battle to be 
great, that our knights were in great 
jeopardy, wherefore Sir Gawaine sent 
to king Arthur for succour, and that he 
hie him, for I am sore wounded, and 
that our prisoners may pay good out 
of number. And the messager came 
to the king, and told him his message. 
And anon the king did do assemble his 
anny, but anon or he departed the pri- 
soners were come, and Sir Gawaine and 
his fellows gal the field and put the 
Romans to flight, and after returned and 
came with their fellowship in such wise 



that no man of worship was lost of 
them, save that Sir Gawaine was sore 
hurt. Then the king did do ransack 
his wounds, and comforted him. And 
thus was the beginning of the first day's 
fighting of the Britons and Romans. 
And there were slain of the Romans 
more than ten thousand, and great joy 
and mirth was made that night in the 
host of king Arthur. And on the morn 
he sent all the prisoners into Paris, under 
the guard of Sir Launcelot, with many 
knights, and of Sir Cador. 



CHAP. VII. 

How Lucius sent certain spies in a bush- 
ment for to have taken his knights being 
prisoners, and how they were letted. 

Now turn we to the emperor of Rome 
which espied that these prisoners should 
be sent to Paris, and anon he sent to 
lie in a bushment certain knights and 
princes with sixty thousand men for to 
rescue his knights and lords that were 
prisoners. And so on the morn as Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Cador, chieftains and 
governors of all them that conveyed the 
prisoners, as they should pass through 
a wood, Sir Launcelot sent certain 
knights to espy if any were in the woods 
to let them. And when the said knights 
came into the wood, anon they espied 
and saw the great enbushment, and re- 
turned and told Sir Launcelot that there 
lay in await for them threescore thou- 
sand Romans. And then Sir Launcelot 
with such knights as he had, and men 
of war to the number of ten thousand, 
put them in array, and met with them, 
and fought with them manly, and 
slew and cut to pieces many of the 
Romans, and slew many knights and 
admirals of the party of the Romans 
and Saracens : there was slain the king 
of Lyly and three great lords, Alakuke, 
Herawd, and Heringdale. But Sir 
Launcelot fought so nobly that no man 
might endure a stroke of his hand, but 
where he came he shewed his prowess 
and might, for he slew down right on 
every side. And the Romans and Sara- 



HOW ARTHUR SLEW LUCIUS. 



105 



cens fled from him as the sheep from 
the wolf or from the Hon, and put them 
all that abode alive to flight. And so 
long they fought that tidings came to 
king Arthur, and anon he made him 
ready and came to the battle, and saw 
his knights how they had vanquished 
the battle : he embmced them knight 
by knight in his arms, and said: Ye 
be worthy to bear all your honour and 
worship, there was never king save my- 
self that had so noble knights. Sir, 
said Cador, there was none of us failed 
other, but of the prowess and manhood 
of Sir Launcelot were more than wonder 
to tell, and also of his cousins which did 
this day many noble feats of war. And 
also Sir Cador told who of his knights 
were slain, as Sir Berel and other Sir 
Moris and Sir Maurel, two good knights. 
Then the king wept, and dried his 
eyes with a kerchief, and said, Your 
courage had near hand destroyed you, 
for though ye had returned again 
ye had lost no worship ; for I call it 
folly, knights to abide when they 
be over-matched. Nay, said Sir Laun- 
celot and the other, for once shamed 
may never be recovered. 



CHAP. VIIL 

How a senator told to Lucius of their dis- 
comfiture, and also of the great battle 
between Arthur and Lucius. 

Now leave we king Arthur and his 
noble knights which had won the field, 
and had brought their prisoners to Paris, 
and speak we of a senator which escaped 
from the battle, and came to Lucius the 
emperor, and said to him. Sir emperor, 
I advise thee to withdraw thee : what 
doest thou here ? thou shalt win nothing 
in these marches but great strokes out of 
all measure. For this day one of Arthur's 
knights was worth in the battle an hun- 
dred of ours. Fie on thee, said Lucius, 
thou speakest cowardly, for thy words 
grieve me more than all the loss that I 
had this day. And anon he sent forth 
a king, which hight Sir Leomie, with a 
great army, and bad him hie him fast 



tofore, and he would follow hastily after. 
King Arthur was warned privily, ar.d 
sent his people to Sessoyne, and took 
up the towns and castles from the Ro- 
mans. Then the king commanded Sir 
Cador to take the rereward, and to take 
with him certain knights of the Round 
Table, — and Sir Launcelot, Sir Bors, Sir 
Kay, Sir Marrok, with Sir Marhaus, shall 
await on our person. Thus king Arthur 
distributed his host in divers parts, to 
the end that his enemies should not 
escape. When the emperor was entered 
into the vale of Sessoyne, he might see 
where king Arthur was embattled and 
his banner displayed : and he was beset 
round about with his enemies, that needs 
he must fight or yield him, for he might 
not flee, but said openly unto the Ro- 
mans, Sirs, I admonish you that this day 
ye fight and acquit you as men, and 
remember how Rome domineth, and 
is chief and head over all the earth and 
universal world, and suffer not these 
Britons this day to abide against us. 
And therewith he did command his 
trumpets blow the bloody sounds, in 
such wise that the ground trembled and 
shook. Then the battles approached, 
and shove and shouted on both sides, 
and great strokes were smitten on both 
sides, many men overthrown, hurt, and 
slain ; and great valiances, prowesses, 
and feats of war were that day shewed, 
which were over long to recount the 
noble feats of every man, for they should 
contain a whole volume. But in espe- 
cial king Arthur rode in the battle, ex- 
horting his knights to do well, and 
himself did as nobly with his hands as 
was possible a man to do ; he drew out 
Excalibur his sword, and awaited ever 
where as the Romans were thickest and 
most grieved his people; and anon he 
addressed him on tliat part, and hewed 
and slew down right, and rescued his 
people, and he slew a great giant named 
Galapas, which was a man of an huge 
quantity and height, he shorted him and 
smote off both his legs by the knees, 
saying. Now art thou better of a size to 
deal with than thou were ; and after 
smote off his head. There Sir Gawaine 



io6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



fought nobly, and slew three admirals in 
that battle. And so did all the knights 
of the Round Table. Thus the battle be- 
tween king Arthur and Lucius the empe- 
ror endured long. Lucius had on his 
side many Saracens which were slain. 
And thus the battle was great, and oft- 
sides that one party was at a vantage, 
and anon at a disadvantage, which en- 
dured so long till at the last king Arthur 
espied where Lucius the emperor fought 
and did wonder with his own hands. 
And anon he rode to him, and either 
smote other fiercely : and at the last 
Lucius smote Arthur thwart the visage, 
and gave him a large wound. And when 
king Arthur felt himself hurt anon he 
smote him again with Excalibur, that it 
cleft his head from the summit of his 
head, and stinted not till it came to 
his breast. And then the emperor fell 
down dead, and there ended his life. 
And when it was known that the em- 
peror was slain, anon all the Romans 
with all their host put them to flight ; 
and king Arthur with all his knights 
followed the chase, and slew down right 
all them that they might attain. And 
thus was the victory given to king Ar- 
thur, and the triumph. And there were 
slain on the part of Lucius more than 
an hundred thousand. And after, king 
Arthur did do ransack the dead bodies, 
and did do bury them that were slain 
of his retinue, every man according to 
the state and degree that he was of. 
And them that were hurt he let the 
surgeons do search their hurts and 
wounds, and commanded to spare no 
salves nor medicines till they were 
whole. 

Then the king rode straight to the 
place where the emperor Lucius lay 
dead, and with him he found slain the 
Sowdan of Surrey, the king of Egypt 
and the king of Ethiope, which were 
two noble kings, with seventeen other 
kings of divers regions, and also sixty 
senators of Rome, all noble men, whom 
the noble king Arthur did do balm and 
gum with many good gums aromatic, 
and after did do cere them in sixty fold 
of cered cloth of Sendal, and laid them 



in chests of lead, because they should 
not chafe nor savour ; and upon all these 
bodies their shields with their arms and 
banners were set, to the end they should 
be known of what country they were. 
And after, he found three senators that 
were onlive, to whom he said, For to save 
your lives I will that ye take these dead 
bodies, and carry them with you unto 
great Rome, and present them to the 
Potestate on my behalf, shewing him 
my letters, and tell them that I in my 
person shall hastily be at Rome. And 
I suppose the Romans shall be ware 
how they shall demand any tribute of 
me. And I command you to say when 
ye shall come to Rome to the Potestate, 
and all the Council and Senate, that 
I send to them these dead bodies 
for the tribute that they have de- 
manded. And if they be not content 
with these, I shall pay more at my 
coming, for other tribute owe I none, 
nor none other will I pay. And me 
thinketh this sufficeth for Britain, Ire- 
land, and all Almaine, with Germany. 
And furthermore I charge you to 
say to them that I command them 
upon pain of their heads never to de^ 
mand tribute ne tax of me ne of my 
lands. 

Then with this charge and command- 
ment the three senators aforesaid de- 
parted with all the said dead bodies 
lying, the body of Lucius in a car 
covered with the arms of the empire 
all alone, and after alway two bodies of 
kings in a chariot, and then the bodies 
of the senators after them, and so went 
toward Rome, and shewed their lega- 
tion and message to the Potestate and 
Senate, recounting the battle done in 
France, and how the field was lost, and 
much people and innumerable slain. 
Wherefore they advised them in no 
wise to move no more war against 
that noble conqueror, Arthur ; — for 
his might and prowess is most to be 
doubted, seeing the noble kings, and 
great multitude of knights of the Round 
Table, to whom none earthly prince 
may compare. 



HOW ARTHUR ENTERED INTO ITALY. 



107 



CHAP. IX. 

How Arthur, after he had achieved the 
battle against the Romans, entered into 
Almaine, and so into Italy. 
Now turn we unto king Arthur and 
his noble knights, which, after the great 
battle achieved against the Romans, 
entered into Loraine, Brabant, and 
Flanders, and thence returned into high 
Almaine, and so over the mountains 
into Lombardy, and after into Tuscany, 
wherein was a city which in no wise 
would yield themselves nor obey, where- 
fore king Arthur besieged it, and lay 
long about it, and gave many assaults 
to the city. And they within defended 
them valiantly. Then, on a time, the 
king called Sir Florence, a knight, and 
said to him they lacked victual, and 
not far from hence be great forests and 
great woods, wherein be many of mine 
enemies with much cattle : 1 will that 
thou make thee ready, and go thither 
in foraging, and take with thee Sir Ga- 
waine my nephew. Sir Wisshard, Sir 
Clegis, Sir Cleremond, and the captain 
of Cardiff, with other, and bring with 
you all the beasts that ye there can get. 
And anon these knights made them 
ready, and rode over holts and hills, 
through forests and woods, till they 
came into a fair meadow full of fair 
flowers and grass. And there they 
rested them and their horses all that 
night. And in the springing of the 
day in the next morn Sir Gawaine took 
his horse and stole away from his 
fellows to seek some adventures. And 
anon he was ware of a man armed, 
walking his horse easily by a wood's 
side, and his shield laced to his shoulder, 
sitting on a strong courser, without any 
man saving a page bearing a mighty 
spear. The knight bare in his shield 
three griffons of gold in sable carbuncle 
the chief of silver. \\ hen Sir Gawaine 
espied this gay knight he fewtred his 
spear, and rode straight to him, and de- 
manded him from whence that he was. 
That other answered and said he was 
of Tuscany, and demanded of Sir Ga- 
waine, What profferest thou proud 



knight so boldly? Here gettest thou 
no prey : thou mayest prove what thou 
wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner or 
thou depart. Then said Gawaine, Thou 
vauntest thee greatly, and speakest 
proud words ; I counsel thee for all thy 
boast that thou make thee ready, and 
take thy gear to thee, tofore greater 
grief fall to thee. 

CHAP. X. 

Of a battle done by Gawaine against a 
Saracen, which after was yielden and 
became Christian. 

Then they took their spears, and ran 
each at other with all the might they 
had, and smote each other through their 
shields into their shoulders, wherefore 
anon they pulled out their swords, and 
smote great strokes, that the fire sprang 
out of their helms. Then Sir Gawaine 
was all abashed, and with Galatine, his 
good sword, he smote through shield 
and thick hauberk made of thick mails, 
and all to-rushed and brake the precious 
stones, and made him a large wound, 
that men might see both liver and 
lung. Then groaned that knight, and 
addressed him to Sir Gawaine, and with 
an awk stroke gave him a great wound, 
and cut a vein, which grieved Sir Ga- 
waine sore, and he bled sore. Then the 
knight said to Sir Gawaine, Bind thy 
wound or thy bleeding change, for thou 
be-bleedest all thy horse and thy fair 
arms ; for all the barbers of Britain can 
not stanch thy blood ; for whosoever is 
hurt with this blade, he shall never be 
stanched of bleeding. Then answered 
Gawaine, It grieveth me but little ; thy 
great words shall not fear me nor lessen 
my courage, but thou shalt suffer teen 
and sorrow or we depart: but tell me 
in haste who may stanch my bleeding ? 
That may I do, said the knight, if I 
will, and so I will if thou wilt succour 
and aid me, that I may be christened 
and believe on God, and thereof I re- 
quire thee of thy manhood, and it shall 
be great merit for thy soul. I grant, 
said Gawaine, so God help me, to ac- 
complish all thy desire : but first tell me 



io8 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



what thou soughtest here thus alone, 
and of what land and liegiance thou art. 
Sir, he said, my name is Priamus, and a 
great prince is my father, and he hath 
been rebel unto Rome, and over ridden 
many of their lands. My father is 
lineally descended of Alexander and of 
Hector by right line. And duke Joshua 
and Maccabaeus were of our lineage. I 
am right inheritor of Alexandria and 
Africa, and all the out isles, yet will I 
believe on thy Lord that thou believest 
on ; and for thy labour I shall give thee 
treasure enough. I was so elate and 
haughty in my heart, that I thought 
no man my peer, nor to me semblable. 
I was sent into this war with seven- 
score knights, and now I have en- 
countered with thee which hast given 
to me of fighting my fill ; wherefore sir 
knight I pray thee to tell me what thou 
art ? I am no knight, said Gawaine, I 
have been brought up in the guard- 
robe with the noble king Arthur many 
years, for to take heed to his armour 
and his other array, and to point his 
paltocks that belong to himself. At 
Yule last he made me yeoman, and gave 
to me horse and harness and an hun- 
dred pound in money: and if fortune 
be my friend I doubt not but to be well 
advanced and holpen by my liege lord. 
Ah, said Priamus, if his knaves be so 
keen and fierce, his knights be passing 
good. Now, for the king's love of 
heaven, whether thou be a knave or 
a knight, tell thou me thy name. By 
heaven, said Sir Gawaine, now will I say 
thee sooth : my name is Sir Gawaine, 
and known I am in his court and in his 
chamber, and one of the knights of the 
Round Table: he dubbed me a duke 
with his own hand. Therefore grudge 
not if this grace is to me fortuned ; it is 
the goodness of God that lent to me my 
strength. Now am I better pleased, 
said Priamus, than if thou hadst given 
me all the province, and Paris the rich. 
I had lever to have been torn with 
wild horses, than any varlet had won 
such praise, or any page or pricker 
should have had prize on me. But 
now, sir Imight, I warn thee that hereby 



is a duke of Loraine with all his army, 
and the noblest men of Dolphine, and 
lords of Lombardy, with the garrison of 
Godard, and Saracens of Southland, 
that numbered sixty thousand of good 
men of arms ; wherefore, but if we hie 
us hence, it will harm us both, for we 
be sore hurt, never like to recover. 
But take heed to my page that he no 
horn blow, for if he do, there be hoving 
here fast by an hundred good knights, 
awaiting on my person, and if they 
take thee there shall no ransom of gold 
ne silver acquit thee. Then Sir Ga- 
waine rode over a water for to save 
him, and the knight followed him, and 
so rode forth till they came to his fel- 
lows which were in the meadow, where 
they had been all the night. Anon as 
Sir Wisshard was ware of Sir Gawaine 
and saw that he was hurt, he ran to 
him sorrowfully weeping, and demanded 
of him who had so hurt him. And Ga- 
waine told how he had fought with that 
man, and each of them had hurt other, 
and how he had salves to heal them ; 
but I can tell you other tidings, that 
soon we shall have ado with many ene- 
mies. Then Sir Priamus and Sir Ga- 
waine alighted, and let their horses 
graze in the meadow, and unarmed 
them, and then the blood ran freshly 
from their wounds. And Priamus took 
from his page a phial full of the four 
waters that came out of Paradise, and 
with certain balm anointed their wounds, 
and washed them with that water, and 
within an hour after they were both as 
whole as ever they were. And then 
with a trumpet were they all assembled 
to council, and there Priamus told unto, 
them what lords and knights had swoin 
to rescue him, and that without fail 
they should be assailed with many- 
thousands, wherefore he counselled them 
to withdraw them. Then Sir Gawaine 
said, it were great shame to them to 
avoid without any strokes ; wherefore I 
advise to take our arms, and to make 
us ready to meet with these Saracens 
and misbelieving men, and with the^ 
help of God we shall overthrow them,, 
and have a fair day on them. And Sir 



CHAP. XI, 



OF A BATTLE WITH THE SARACENS. 



109 



Florence shall abide still in this field to 
keep the post as a noble knight, and we 
shall not forsake yonder fellows. Now, 
said Priamus, cease your words, for I 
warn you ye shall find in yonder woods 
many perilous knights: they will put 
forth beasts to call you on : they be out 
of number, and ye are not past seven 
hundred, which be over few to fight 
with so many. Nevertheless, said Sir 
Gawaine, we shall once encounter them 
and see what they can do, and the best 
shall have the victory. 

CHAP. XL 

How the Saracens came out of a wood for 
to rescue their beasts, and of a great 
battle. 

Then Sir Florence called to him Sir 
Floridas with an hundred knights, and 
drove forth the herd of beasts. Then 
followed him seven hundred men of 
arms, and Sir Ferant of Spain on a fair 
steed came springing out of the woods, 
and came to Sir Florence, and asked him 
why he fled. Then Sir Florence took 
his spear, and rode against him, and 
smote him in the forehead and brake 
his neck bone. Then all the other 
were moved, and thought to avenge the 
death of Sir Ferant, and smote in 
among them, and there was great fight, 
and many slain and laid down to 
ground, and Sir Florence with his hun- 
dred knights always kept the post, and 
fought manly. Then when Priamus 
the good knight perceived the great 
fight, he went to Sir Gawaine and bad 
him that he should go and succour his 
fellowship, which were sore bested with 
their enemies. Sir, grieve you not, said 
Sir Gawaine, for their honour shall be 
theirs : I shall not once move my horse 
to themward but if I see more than 
there be, for they be strong enough to 
match them. And with that he saw an 
earl called Sir Ethelwold and the duke 
of Dutchmen come leaping out of a 
wood, with many thousands, and Pii- 
amus's knights, and came straight unto 
the battle. Then Sir Gawaine com- 
forted his knights, and bad them not be 



abashed, for all shall be ours. Then 
they began to gallop, and met with 
their enemies: there were men slain 
and overthrown on every side. Then 
thrust in among them the knights of 
the Table Round, and smote down to 
the earth all them that withstood them, 
insomuch that they made them to recoil 
and flee. Truly, said Sir Gawaine, this 
gladdeth my heart, for now be they less 
in number by twenty thousand. Then 
entered into the battle Jubance a giant, 
and fought and slew downright, and 
distressed many of our knights, among 
whom was slain Sir Gherard, a knight 
of Wales, Then our knights took heart 
to them, and slew many Saracens. And 
then came in Sir Priamus with his pen- 
non, and rode with the knights of the 
Round Table, and fought so manfully 
that many of their enemies lost their 
lives. And there Sir Priamus slew the 
Marquis of Moises land. And Sir Ga- 
waine with his fellows so quit them 
that they had the field, but in that 
fight was Sir Chestelaine, a child and 
ward of Sir Gawaine, slain, wherefore 
was much sorrow made, and his death 
was soon avenged. Thus was the bat- 
tle ended, and many lords of Lombardy 
and Saracens left dead in the field. 

Then Sir Florence and Sir Gawaine 
harboured surely their people, and took 
great plenty of cattle, of gold and silver 
and great treasure and riches, and re- 
turned unto king Arthur, which lay still 
at the siege. And when they came to 
the king they presented their prisoners, 
and recounted their adventures, and how 
they had vanquished their enemies, 

CHAP. xn. 

How Sir Gawaine returned to king Arthur 
with bis prisoners, and how the king won 
a city, and how he was crowned emperor. 

Now thanked be God, said the noble 
king Arthur. But what manner man is 
he that stand eth by himself? he seemeth 
no prisoner. Sir, said Gawaine, this is 
a good man of arms ; he hath matched 
me, but he is yielden unto God and to 
me for to become Christian : had not 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK V. 



he been we should never have returned, 
wherefore I pray you that he may be 
baptized, for their Hveth not a nobler 
man nor better knight of his hands. 
Then the king let him anon be chris- 
tened, and did do call him his first name 
Priamus, and made him a duke and 
knight of the Table Round. And then 
anon the king let do cry aSsault to the 
city, and there was rearing of ladders, 
breaking of walls, and the ditch filled, 
that men with little pain might enter 
into the city. Then came out a duchess, 
and Clarisin the countess, with many 
ladies and damsels, and kneeling before 
king Arthur required him for the love 
of God to receive the city and not to 
take it by assault, for then should many 
guiltless be slain. Then the king availed 
his visor with a meek and noble counte- 
nance, and said. Madam, there shall 
none of my subjects misdo you nor your 
maidens, nor to none that to you be- 
long, but the duke shall abide my judg- 
ment. Then anon the king commanded 
to leave the assault ; and anon the duke's 
eldest son brought out the keys, and 
kneeling, delivered them to the king, 
and besought him of grace : and the 
king seized the town by assent of his 
lords, and took the duke and sent him 
to Dover, there for to abide prisoner 
the term of his life, and assigned certain 
rents for the dower of the duchess and 
for her children. Then he made lords 
to rule those lands, and laws, as a lord 
ought to do in his own country. And 
after he took his journey toward Rome, 
and sent Sir Floris and Sir Ploridas to- 
fore with five hundred men of arms, and 
they came to the city of Urbine, and 
laid there a bushment as them seemed 
most best for them, and rode tofore 
the town, where anon issued out much 
people and skirmished with the fore 
riders. Then brake out the bushment, 
and won the bridge, and after the town, 
and set upon the walls the king's ban- 
ner. Then came the king upon a hill, 
and saw the city and his banner on the 
walls, by the which he knew that the 
city was won. And anon he sent and 
commanded that none of his liege 



men should misuse no lady, wife, nor 
maid : and when he came into the city 
he passed to the castle, and comforted 
them that were in sorrow, and ordained 
there a captain, a knight of his own 
country. And when they of Milan heard 
that the same city was won, they sent 
to king Arthur great sums of money, 
and besought him as their lord to have 
pity on them, promising to be his sub- 
jects for ever, and yield to him homage 
and fealty for the lands of Pleasance 
and Pavia, Petersaint, and the port of 
Tremble, and to give him yearly a 
million of gold all his lifetime. Then 
he rideth into Tuscany, and winneth 
towns and castles, and wasted all in 
his way that to him will not obey, 
and so to Spolute and Viterbe : and 
from thence he rode into the vale of 
Vicecount among the vines. And from 
thence he sent to the senators to wit 
whether they would know him for their 
lord. But soon after on a Saturday 
came unto king Arthur all the senators 
that were left on live, and the noblest 
cardinals that then dwelled in Rome, 
and prayed him of peace, and proffered 
him full large, and besought him as 
governor to give licence for six weeks, 
for to assemble together all the Romans, 
and then to crown him emperor with 
crism, as it belongeth to so high a state. 
I assent, said the king, like as ye have 
devised, and at Christmas there to be 
crowned, and to hold my Round Table 
with my knights as me liketh. And 
then the senators made things ready 
for his enthronization. And at the day 
appointed, as the romance telleth, he 
came into Rome, and was crowned em- 
peror by the Pope's hand with all the 
royalty that could be made, and so-* 
joumed there a time, and established; 
all his lands from Rome unto France,, 
and gave lands and realms unto his 
servants and knights, to every each after 
his desert, in such wise that none com- 
plained, rich nor poor. And he gave 
to Sir Priamus the duchy of Loraine ; 
and he thanked him, and said that he| 
would serve him the days of his life i 
and after made dukes and earls, and! 



CKAP. 1. 



OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR LIONEL. 



made every man rich. Then after this 
all his knights and lords and all the 
great men of estate assembled them 
afore him, and said : Blessed be God, 
your war is finished, and your conquest 
achieved, insomuch that we know none 
so great nor mighty that dare make war 
against you : wherefore we beseech you 
to return homeward and give us licence 
to go home to our wives, from whom 
we have been long, and to rest us, for 
your journey is finished with honour 
and worship. Then said the king, Ye 
say truth, and for to tempt God it is no 
wisdom, and therefore make you ready 



and return we into England, Then 
was there trussing of harness and bag- 
gage, and great carriage. And after 
licence given, he returned and com- 
manded that no man in pain of death 
should rob nor take victual, nor other 
thing by the way, but that he should 
pay therefore. And thus he came over 
the sea, and landed at Sandwich, against 
whom queen Guenever his wife came 
and met him : and he was nobly re- 
ceived of all his commons in every city 
and burgh, and great gifts presented 
to him at his home coming, to welcome 
him with. 



j^atitie agcgngtc Uudug tj^c ISmpcrourc of 3^om?, anD \)txz folotoctj 
tje ^gxtjb 5oofe> iDJ^tcJ 10 of 0gr 2lautt«lot Du lafee. 



®5^ SbixtJ 23ooL 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel de- 
parted from the court for to seek ad- 
ventures, and how Sir Lionel left him 
sleeping, and was taken. 

Soon after that king Arthur was 
come from Rome into England, then all 
the knights of the Table Round resorted 
unto the king, and made many justs and 
tournaments ; and some there were that 
were but knights which increased so in 
arms and worship that they passed all 
their fellows in prowess and noble deeds, 
and that was well proved on many. But 
in especial it was proved on Sir Launcelot 
du Lake ; for in all tournaments and 
justs and deeds of arms, both for life 
and death, he passed all other knights, 
and at no time he was never overcome 
but if it were by treason or enchant- 
ment. So Sir Launcelot increased so 
marvellously in worship and honour; 
therefore he is the first knight that the 
French book maketh mention of after 



king Arthur came from Rome. Where- 
fore queen Guenever had him in great 
favour above all other knights, and in 
certain he loved the queen again above 
all other ladies and damsels all his life, 
and for her he did many deeds of arms, 
and saved her from the fire through his 
noble chivalry. Thus Sir Launcelot 
rested him long with play and game. 
And then he thought himself to prove 
himself in strange adventures : then he 
bad his nephew Sir Lionel for to make 
him ready, for we two will seek adven- 
tures. So they mounted on their horses, 
armed at all rights, and rode into a 
deep forest, and so into a deep plain. 
And then the weather was hot about 
noon, and Sir Launcelot had great lust 
to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a 
great apple tree that stood by an hedge, 
and said. Brother, yonder is a fair 
shadow, there may we rest us and our 
horses. It is well said, fair brother, 
said Sir Launcelot, for this seven year 
I was not so sleepy as I am now. And 
so they there alighted, and tied their 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



horses unto sundry trees, and so Sir 
Launcelot laid him down under an 
apple tree, and his helm he laid under 
his head. And Sir Lionel waked while 
he slept. So Sir Launcelot was asleep 
passing fast. And in the meanwhile 
there came three knights riding, as fast 
fleeing as ever they might ride. And 
there followed them three but one 
knight. And when Sir Lionel saw him, 
him thought he saw never so great a 
knight nor so well faring a man, neither 
so well apparelled unto all rights. So 
within a while this strong knight had 
overtaken one of these knights, and 
there he smote him to the cold earth 
that he lay still. And then he rode 
unto the second knight, and smote him 
so that man and horse fell down. And 
then straight to the third knight he 
rode, and he smote him behind his horse 
tail a spear's length. And then he 
alight down, and reined his horse on 
the bridle, and bound all the three 
knights fast with the reins of their own 
bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do 
thus, he thought to assay him, and 
made him ready, and stilly and privily 
he took his horse, and thought not for 
to awake Sir Launcelot. And when he 
was mounted upon his horse he over- 
took this strong knight and bad him 
turn : and the other smote Sir Lionel 
so hard that horse and man he bare to 
the earth, and so he alight down and 
bound him fast, and threw him over- 
thwart his own horse, and so he served 
them all four, and rode with them 
away to his own castle. And when he 
came there, he made unai-m them, and 
beat them with thorns all naked, and 
after put them in a deep prison where 
there were many more knights that 
made great dolour. 

CHAP. II. 

How Sir Ector followed for to seek Sir 
Launcelot, and how he was taken by 
Sir Turquine. 

When Sir Ector de Maris wist that 
Sir Launcelot was past out of the court 
to seek adventures he was wroth with 



himself, and made him ready to seek 
Sir Launcelot, and as he had ridden 
long in a great forest, he met with a 
man that was like a forester. Fair 
fellow, said Sir Ector, knowest thou in 
this country any adventures that be here 
nigh hand ? Sir, said the forester, this 
country know I well, and hereby within 
this mile is a strong manor, and well 
dyked, and by that manor, on the left 
hand, there is a fair ford for horses 
to drink of, and over that ford there 
groweth a fair tree, and thereon hangeth 
many fair shields that wielded sometime 
good knights : and at the hole of the 
tree hangeth a bason of copper and 
laton, and strike upon that bason with 
the butt of thy spear thrice, and soon 
after thou shalt hear new tidings, and 
else hast thou the fairest grace that 
many a year had ever knight that passed 
through this forest. Gramercy, said Sir 
Ector, and departed and came to the 
tree, and saw many fair shields, and 
among them he saw his brother's shield, 
Sir Lionel, and many more that he knew 
that were his fellows of the Round Table, 
the which grieved his heart, and he pro- 
mised to revenge his brother. Then 
anon Sir Ector beat on the bason as he 
were wood, and then he gave his horse 
drink at the ford : and there came a 
knight behind him and bad him come 
out of the water and make him ready ; 
and Sir Ector anon turned him shortly, 
and in fewter cast his spear, and smote 
the other knight a great buffet that his 
horse turned twice about. This was 
well done, said the strong knight, and 
knightly thou hast stricken me: and 
therewith he rushed his horse on Sir 
Ector and caught him under his right 
arm, and bare him clean out of the 
saddle, and rode with him av/ay into 
his own hall, and threw him down in 
the midst of the floor. The name of 
this knight was Sir Turquine. Then he 
said unto Sir Ector, For thou hast done 
this day more unto me than any knight 
did these twelve years, now will I grant 
thee thy life, so thou wilt be sworn to 
be my prisoner all thy life days. Nay, 
said Sir Ector, that will I never promise 



CHAP. III. HOW FOUR QUEENS FOUND SIR LAUNCELOT. 



113 



thee, but that I will do mine advantage. 
That me repenteth, said Sir Turquine. 
And then he made to unarm him, and 
beat him with thorns all naked, and after 
put him down in a deep dungeon, where 
he knew many of his fellows. But when 
Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel, then made he 
great sorrow. Alas, brother, said Sir 
Ector, where is my brother Sir Laun- 
celot ? Fair brother, I left him on sleep 
when that I from him went, under an 
apple tree, and what is become of him I 
cannot tell you. Alas, said the knights, 
but Sir Launcelot help us w^e may never 
be delivered, for we know now no knight 
that is able to match our master Tur- 
quine. 

CHAP. III. 

How fovr quee?is found Sir Laimcelot 
sleeping, and how by enchantment he 
was taken and led into a castle. 

Now leave we these knights prisoners, 
and speak we of Sir Launcelot du Lake 
that lieth under the apple tree sleeping. 
Even about the noon there came by him 
four queens of great estate ; and, for the 
heat of the sun should not annoy them, 
there rode four knights about them and 
bare a cloth of green silk on four spears, 
betwixt them and the sun, and the queens 
rode on four white mules. 

Thus as they rode they heard by them 
a great horse grimly neigh, and then were 
they ware of a sleeping knight that lay 
all armed under an apple tree ; anon as 
these queens looked on his face they 
knew that it was Sir Launcelot. Then 
they began for to strive for that knight ; 
every one said she would have him to 
her love. We shall not strive, said 
Morgan le Fay, that was king Arthur's 
sister ; I shall put an enchantment upon 
him that he shall not awake in six hours, 
and then I will lead him away uiito my 
castle, and when he is surely within 
my hold I shall take the enchantment 
from him, and then let him choose 
which of us he will have for his love. 
So this enchantment was cast upon Sir 
Launcelot, and then they laid him upon 
his shield, and bare him so on horse- 
back betwixt, two knights, and brought 



him unto the castle Chariot, and there 
they laid him in a chamber cold, and at 
night they sent unto him a fair damsel 
Avith his supper ready dight. By that 
the enchantment was past, and when 
she came she saluted him, and asked 
him what cheer? I cannot say, fair 
damsel, said Sir Launcelot, for I wot 
not how I came into this castle but it 
be by an enchantment. Sir, said she, 
ye must make good cheer, and if ye be 
such a knight as is said ye be, I shall 
tell you more tomorn by prime of 
the day. Gramercy, fair damsel, said 
Sir Launcelot, of your good will I re- 
quire you. And so she departed. And 
there he lay all that night without com- 
fort of any body. 

And on the morn early came these 
four queens, passingly well beseen, all 
they bidding him good morn, and he 
them again. Sir knight, the four quetns 
said, thou must understand thou art our 
prisoner, and we here know thee well, 
that thou art Sir Launcelot du Lake, 
king Ban's son. And truly we under- 
stand your worthiness that thou art the 
noblest knight living ; and, as we know 
well, there can no lady have thy love 
but one, and that is queen Guenever, 
and now thou shalt lose her for ever^ 
and she thee, and therefore thee be- 
hoveth now to choose one of us four. 
I am the queen Morgan le Fay, queen 
of the land of Gore, and here is the 
queen of Northgalis, and the queen of 
Eastland, and the queen of the Outlsles ; 
now choose ye one of us which thou 
wilt have to thy love, for thou mayst 
not choose or else in this prison to die. 
This is an hard case, said Sir Launcelot, 
that either I must die or else choose one 
of you, yet had I lever to die in this 
prison with worship, than to have one 
of you to my love maugre my head. 
And therefore ye be answered, for I 
will have none of you, for ye be false 
enchantresses. And as for my lady 
dame Guenever, were I at my liberty 
as I was, I would prove it on you or 
upon yours, that she is the truest lady 
unto her lord living. Well, said the 
queens, is this your answer, that you 

8 



114 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



will refuse us ? Yea, on my life, said 
Sir Launcelot, refused ye be of me. So 
they departed and left him there alone 
that made great sorrow. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Launcelot was delivered by the 
mean cf a damsel. 

Right so at the noon came the damsel 
unto him with his dinner, and asked him 
what cheer? Truly, fair damsel, said 
Sir Launcelot, in my life days never so 
ill. Sir, she said, that me repenteth, 
but and ye will be ruled by me I shall 
help you out of this distress, and ye 
shall have no shame nor villainy, so 
that ye hold me a promise. Fair dam- 
sel I will grant you, and sore I am of 
these queens sorceresses afeard, for they 
have destroyed many a good knight. 
Sir, said she, that is sooth, and for the 
renown and bounty they hear of you 
they would have your love, and, sir, 
they say your name is Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, the flower of knights, and 
they be passing wroth with you that 
ye have refused them. But sir, and 
ye would promise me for to help my 
father on Tuesday next coming, that 
hath made a tournament betwixt him 
and the king of Northgalis, (for the 
last Tuesday past my father lost the 
field through three knights of king Ar- 
thur's court,) and if ye will be there 
upon Tuesday next coming and help 
my father, tomom ere prime, by the 
grace of God, I shall deliver you clean. 
Fair maiden, said Sir Launcelot, tell me 
what is your father's name, and then 
shall I give you an answer. Sir knight, 
she said, my father is king Bagdemagus, 
that was foul rebuked at the last tour- 
nament. I know your father well, said 
Sir Launcelot, for a noble king, and a 
good knight, and by the faith of my 
body, ye shall have my body ready to 
do your father and you service at that 
day. Sir, she said, gramercy, and tor 
mom await ye be ready betimes, and 
I shall be she that shall deliver you, and 
take you your armour and your horse, 
shield and spear : and hereby, within 



this ten mile, is an abbey of white 
monks, there I pray you that ye me 
abide, and thither shall I bring my 
father unto you. All this shall be done, 
said Sir Launcelot, as I am true knight. 
And so she departed, and came on the 
morn early, and found him ready. Then 
she brought him out of twelve locks, 
and brought him unto his armour, and 
when he was armed clean, she brought 
him until his own horse, and lightly he 
saddled him, and took a great spear in 
his hand, and so rode forth, and said. 
Fair damsel I shall not fail you by the 
grace of God. And so he rode into a 
great forest all that day, and never 
could find no high way, and so the 
night fell on him, and then was he ware 
in a valley of a pavilion of red sendal. 
By my faith, said Sir Launcelot, in that 
pavilion will I lodge all this night. And 
so there he alight down, and tied his 
horse to the pavilion, and there he un- 
armed him, and there he found a bed, 
and laid him therein and he fell on sleep 
heavily. 

CHAP. V. 

How a knighl found Sir Launcelot lying 
in his bed, and how Sir Launcelot fought 
with the knight. 

Then within an hour there came the 
knight to whom belonged the pavilion, 
and so he laid him down beside Sir 
Launcelot. And when Sir Launcelot 
felt him, he started out of the bed 
lightly, and the other knight after him, 
and either of them gat their swords in 
their hands, and out at the pavilion door 
went the knight of the pavilion, and Sir 
Launcelot followed him, and there, by 
a little slake, Sir Launcelot wounded 
him sore nigh unto the death. And then 
he yielded him unto Sir Launcelot, and 
so he granted him, so that he would tell 
him why he came into the bed. Sir, 
said the knight, the pavilion is mine 
own, and there this night would I 
have slept, and now I am likely to die 
of this wound. That me repenteth, said 
Sir Launcelot, of your hurt ; but I was 
adread of treason, for I was late be- 
guiled ; and therefore come on your way 



SIR LAUNCELOT AND BAGDEMAGUS. 



115 



into your pavilion, and take your rest, 
and as I suppose I shall stanch your 
blood. So they went both into the pa- 
vilion, and anon Sir Launcelot stanched 
his blood. 

Therewithal came the knight's lady, 
which was a passing fair lady. And 
when she espied that her lord Belleus 
was so sore wounded, she cried out on 
Sir Launcelot, and made great dole out 
of measure. Peace my lady and my 
love, said Belleus, for this knight is a 
good man, and a knight adventurous ; 
and there he told her all the cause how 
he was wounded ; and when that I 
yielded me unto him, he left me goodly 
and hath stanched my blood. Sir, said 
the lady, I require thee tell me what 
knight ye be, and what is your name ? 
Fair lady, said he, my name is Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake. So me thought ever by 
your speech, said the lady, for I have 
seen you oft or this, and I know you 
better than ye \veen. But now and ye 
would promise me of your courtesy, for 
the harms that ye have done to me and 
to my lord Belleus, that when he cometh 
unto Arthur's court for to cause him to 
be made knight of the Round Table, for 
he is a passing good man of arms, and a 
mighty lord of lands of many out isles. 
Fair lady, said Sir Launcelot, let him 
come unto the court the next high feast, 
and look that ye come with him, and I 
shall do my power, and ye prove you 
doughty of your hands, that ye shall have 
your desire. So thus within awhile as 
they thus talked, the night passed, and 
the day shone, and then Sir Launcelot 
armed him, and took his horse, and they 
taught him to the abbey, and thither he 
rode within the space of two hours. 

CHAP. VL 

How Sir Launcelot was received of Icing 
Bagdemagus's daughter, and he made 
his complaint to her father. 

And soon as Sir Launcelot came 
within the abbey yard the daughter of 
king Bagdemagus heard a great horse 
go on the pavement. And she then 
arose and went unto a window, and 



there she saw Sir Launcelot, and anon 
she made men fast to take his horse 
from him and let lead him into a stable, 
and himself was led into a fair chamher, 
and uparmed him, and the lady sent 
him a long gown, and anon she came 
herself. And then slie made Launcelot 
passing good cheer, and she said he 
was the knight in the world was most 
welcome to her. Then in all haste she 
sent for her father Bagdemagus that 
was within twelve mile of that abbey, 
and afore even he came with a fair fel- 
lowship of knights with him. And 
when the king was ahght off his 
horse he went straight unto Sir Launce- 
lot's chamber, and there he found his 
daughter, and then the king embraced 
Sir Launcelot in his arms, and either 
made other good cheer. Anon Sir 
Launcelot made his complaint unto the 
king how he was betrayed, and how his 
brother Sir Lionel was departed from 
him he wist not where, and how his 
daughter had delivered him out of 
prison, — therefore while I live I shall do 
her service and all her kindred. Then 
am I sure of your help, said the king, 
on Tuesday next coming. Yea, sir, 
said Sir Launcelot, I shall not fail you, 
for so I have promised my lady your 
daughter. But sir, what knights been 
they of my lord Arthur's, that were 
with the king of Northgalis ? And the 
king said it was Sir Mador de la Porte, 
and Sir Mordred, and Sir Gahalatine, 
that all for-fared my knights, for against 
them three I nor my knights might bear 
no strength. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, 
as I hear say that the tournament shall 
be within this three mile of this abbey, 
ye shall send unto me three knights of 
yours such as ye trust, and look that 
the three knights have all white shields, 
and I also, and no painture on the 
shields, and we four will come out of a 
little wood in the midst of both parties, 
and we shall fall in the front of our 
enemies and grieve them that we may ; 
and thus shall I not be known what 
knight I am. So they took their rest 
that night, and this was on the Sun- 
day. And so the king departed, and 



ti6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK VI. 



sent unto Sir Launcelot three knights, 
with the four white shields. 

And on the Tuesday they lodged 
them in a little leaved wood beside 
there the tournament should be. And 
there were scaffolds and holes that lords 
and ladies might behold and to give 
the prize. Then came into the field 
the king of Northgalis with eightscore 
helms. And then the three knights of 
Arthur stood by themselves. Then came 
into the field king Bagdemagus with 
fourscore of helms. And then they 
fewtred their spears, dnd came together 
with a great dash, and there were slain 
of knights, at the first recounter, twelve 
of king Bagdemagus's party, and six of 
the king of Northgalis' party, and king 
Bagdemagus's party was far set aback. 

CHAP. VIL 

How Sir Launcelot behaved him in a 
tournament, and hoid he met tuith Sir 
Tiirquine leadiiig away Sir Gaheris. 

With that came Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, and he thrust in with his spear in 
the thickest of the press, and there he 
smote down with one spear five knights, 
and of four of them he brake their 
backs. And in that throng he smote 
down the king of Northgalis, and brake 
his thigh in that fall. All this doing of 
Sir Launcelot saw the three knights of 
Arthur. Yonder is a shrewd guest, said 
Sir Mador de la Porte, therefore have 
here once at him. So they encountered, 
and Sir Launcelot bare him down horse 
and man, so that his shoulder went out 
of joint. Now befalleth it to me to 
just, said Mordred, for Sir Mador hath 
a sore fall. Sir Launcelot was ware of 
him, and gat a great spear in his hand, 
and met him, and Sir Moixlred brake a 
spear upon him, and Sir Launcelot gave 
him such a buffet that the bow of his 
saddle brake, and so he flew over his 
horse tail, that his helm went into the 
earth a foot and more, that nigh his 
neck was broken, and there he lay long 
in a swoon. Then came in Sir Gaha- 
latine with a spear, and Launcelot 
against him, with all their strength that 



they might drive, that both their spears 
to-brast even to their hands, and then 
they flung out with their swords, and 
gave many a grim stroke. Then was 
Sir Launcelot wroth out of measure, 
and then he smote Sir Gahalatine on 
the helm, that his nose burst out on 
blood, and ears and mouth both, and 
therewith his head hung low. And 
therewith his horse ran away with him, 
and he fell down to the earth. 

Anon therewithal Sir Launcelot gat 
a great spear in his hand, and, or ever 
that great spear brake, he bare down to 
the earth sixteen knights, some horse 
and man, and some the man and not 
the horse, and there was none but that ' 
he hit surely he bare none arms that 
day. And then he gat another great 
spear, and smote down twelve knights, 
and the most part of them never throve 
after. And then the knights of the king ^ 
of Northgalis would just no more, and < 
there the prize was given unto king ■ 
Bagdemagus. So either party departed 
unto his own place, and Sir Launce- 
lot rode forth with king Bagdemagus 
unto his castle, and there he had pass- 
ing good cheer both with the king 
and with his daughter, and they prof- 
fered him great gifts. And on the 
morn he took his leave, and told king 
Bagdemagus that he would go and seek 
his brother Sir Lionel, that went from 
him when that he slept. So he took 
his horse, and betaught them all to 
God. And there he said unto the 
king's daughter. If ye have need any 
time of my service, I pray you let me 
have knowledge, and I shall not fail 
you, as I am true knight. 

And so Sir Launcelot departed, and 
by adventure he came into the same; 
forest where he was taken sleeping.; 
And in the midst of an highway he metj 
a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and ; 
there either saluted other. Fair damsel, 
said Sir Launcelot, know ye in this 
country any adventures? Sir knight, 
said that damsel, here are adventures 
near hand, and thou durst prove them. I 
Why should I not prove adventures? 
said Sir Launcelot; for that cause came' 



CHAP. VIII. HOW LAUNCELOT FOUGHT WITH TURQUINE. 



I hither. Well, said she, thou seemest 
well to be a good knight, and if thou 
dare meet with jv good knight, I shall 
bring thee where is the best knight and 
the mightiest that ever thou found, so 
thou wilt tell me what is thy name, and 
what knight thou art. Damsel, as for 
to tell ihee my name, I take no great 
force : truly, my name is Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, Sir, thou beseemest well, 
here be adventures by that fall for thee, 
for hereby dwelleth a knight that will 
not be overmatched for no man that I 
know, unless ye overmatch him, and 
his name is Sir Turquine. And, as I 
understand, he hath in his prison of 
Arthur's court good knights threescore 
and four that he hath won wdth his own 
hands. But when ye have done that 
day's work ye shall promise me as ye 
are a true knight for to go with me, 
and to help me and other damsels that 
are distressed daily with a false knight. 
All your' intent, damsel, and desire I will 
fulfil, so ye will bring me unto this 
knight. Now, fair knight, come on 
your way. And so she brought him 
unto the ford, and unto the tree where 
hung the basin. So Sir Launcelot let 
his horse drink, and then he beat on the 
basin with the butt of his spear so hard 
with all his might till the bottom fell 
out, and long he did so, but he saw 
nothing. Then he rode endlong the 
gates of that manor nigh half an hour. 
And then was he ware of a great knight 
that drove an horse afore him, and 
overthwart the horse there lay an armed 
knight bound. And ever as they came 
near and near. Sir Launcelot thought he 
should know him ; then Sir Launcelot 
was ware that it was Sir Gaheris, Ga- 
waine's brother, a knight of the Table 
Round. Now fair damsel, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I see yonder cometh a knight 
fast bound that is a fellow of mine, and 
brother he is unto Sir Gawaine. And at 
the first beginning I promise you, by the 
leave of God, to rescue that knight ; and 
unless his master sit better in the sad- 
dle I shall deliver all the prisoners that 
he hath out of danger, for I am sure that 
he hath two brethren of mine prisoners 



with him. By that time that either had 
seen other they gripped their spears 
unto them. Now fair knight, said Sir 
Launcelot, put that wounded knight off 
the horse, and let him rest awhile, and 
let us two prove our strengths. For as 
it is informed me, thou doest and hast 
done great despite and shame unto 
knights of the Round Table, and there- 
fore now defend thee. And thou be of 
the Table Round, said Turquine, I defy 
thee and all thy fellowship. That is 
over much said, said Sir Launcelot. 

CHAP. VHI. 

How Sir Lanncelot and Sir Turquine 
fought together. 

And then they put their spears in the 
rests, and came together with their 
horses as fast as they might run, and 
either smote other in the midst of their 
shields, that both their horses' backs 
brast under them, and the knights wexe 
both astonied, and as soon as they 
might avoid their horses they took their 
shields afore them, and drew out their 
swords, and came together eagerly, and 
either gave other many strong strokes, 
for there might neither shields nor 
harness hold their strokes. And so 
within awhile they had both grimly 
wounds, and bled passing grievously. 
Thus they fared two hours or more, 
trasing and rasing either other where 
they might hit any bare place. Then 
at the last they were breathless both, 
and stood leaning on their swords. 
Now fellow, said Sir Turquine, hold 
thy hand awhile, and tell me what I 
shall ask thee. Say on. Then Tur- 
quine said, Thou art the biggest man 
that ever I met withal, and the best 
breathed, and like one knight that I 
hate above all other knights ; so be it 
that thou be not he I will lightly accord 
with thee, and for thy love I will de- 
liver all the prisoners that I have, that 
is threescore and four, so thou wilt tell 
me thy name. And thou and I we will 
be fellows together, and never to fail 
the while that I live. It is well said, 
said Sir Launcelot, but sithen it is so 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



that I may have thy friendship, what 
knight is he that thou so hatest above 
all other? Faithfully, said Sir Tur- 
quine, his name is Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, for he slew my brother Sir 
Carados at the dolorous tower, that 
was one of the best knights on live; 
and therefore him I except of knights, 
for may I once meet with him the one 
of us shall make an end of other, I 
make mine avow. And for Sir Launce- 
lot's sake I have slain an hundred good 
knights, and as many I have maimed all 
utterly that they might never after help 
themselves, and many have died in 
prison, and yet I have threescore and 
four, and all shall be delivered, so thou 
wilt tell me thy name, so it be that 
thou be not Sir Launcelot. 

Now see I well, said Sir Launcelot, 
that such a man I might be that I 
might have peace ; and such a man I 
might be that there should be war 
mortal betwixt us : and now sir knight, 
at thy request I will that thou wit and 
know that I am Launcelot du Lake, 
king Ban's son of Benwick, and very 
knight of the Table Round. And now 
I defy thee, do thy best. Ah, said 
Turquine, Launcelot, thou art unto me 
most welcome that ever was knight, for 
we shall never part till the one of us be 
dead. Then they hurtled together as 
two wild bulls, rashing. and lashing 
with their shields and swords that 
sometimes they fell both over their 
noses. Thus they fought still two 
hours and more, and never would, have 
rest, and Sir Turquine gave Sir Launce- 
lot many wounds that all the ground 
there as they fought was all bespeckled 
with blood. 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Turqjune was slain, and how Sir 
Launcelot bade Sir Gaheris deliver all 
the prisoners. 

Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed 
faint, and gave somewhat aback, and 
bare his shield low for weariness. 
That espied Sir Launcelot and lept 
upon him fiercely and got him by 



the beaver of his helmet, and plucked 
him down on his knees, and anon he 
rased off his helm, and smote his 
neck in sunder. And when Sir Laun- 
celot had done this he went unto the 
damsel and said. Damsel, I am ready 
to go with you where ye will have 
me, but I have no horse. Fair sir, 
said she, take this wounded knight's 
horse, and send him into this manor, 
and command him to deliver all the 
prisoners. So Sir Launcelot went 
unto Gaheris, and prayed him not 
to be aggrieved for to lend him 
his horse. Nay, fair lord, said Sir Ga- 
heris, I will that ye take my horse at 
your own commandment, for ye have 
both saved me and my horse, and this 
day I say ye are the best knight in the 
world, for ye have slain this day in my 
sight the mightiest man and the best 
knight, except you, that ever I saw; 
and sir, said Sir Gaheris, I pray you 
tell me your name ? Sir, my name is 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, that ought to 
help you of right for king Arthur's 
sake, and in especial for my lord Sir 
Gawaine's sake, your own dear brother ; 
and when that ye come within yonder 
manor I am sure ye shall find there 
many knights of the Round Table, for 
I have seen many of their shields that I 
know on yonder tree. There is Kay's 
shield, and Sir Brandel's shield, and Sir 
Marhaus' shield, and Sir Galind's shield, 
and Sir Brian Listonoise's shield, and Sir 
Aliduke's shield, with many more that I 
am not now advised of, and also my 
two brethren's shields. Sir Ector de 
Maris and Sir Lionel ; wherefore I 
pray you greet them all from me, and 
say that 1 bid them take there such 
stuff as they find, and that in any wise 
my brethren go unto the court and 
abide me there till that I come, for 
by the feast of Pentecost I cast me to 
be there, for at this time I must ride 
with this damsel for to save my pro- 
mise. And so he departed from Ga- 
heris, and Sir Gaheris went into the 
manor, and there he found a yeoman 
porter keeping there many keys. Anon 
withal Sir Gaheris threw the porter 



HOW LAUNCELOT SLEW A FALSE KNIGHT. 



119 



unto the ground, and took the keys 
from him, and hastily he opened the 
prison door, and there he let out all the 
prisoners, and every man loosed other 
of their bonds. And when they saw 
Sir Gaheris, all they thanked him, for 
they wend that he was wounded. 
Not so, said Gaheris, it was Launcelot 
that slew him worshipfuUy with his own 
hands, I saw it with mine own eyes. 
And he greeteth you all well, and 
prayeth you to haste you to the court, 
and as unto Sir Lionel and Ector de 
Maris, he prayeth you to abide him 
at the court. That shall we not do, 
said his brethren, we will find him and 
we may live. So shall I, said Sir Kay, 
find him or I come at the court, as I 
am true knight. Then all those knights 
sought the house where as the armour 
was, and then they armed them, and 
every knight found his own horse, and 
all that belonged unto him. And when 
ever this was done, there came a forester 
with four horses laden with fat venison. 
Anon Sir Kay said. Here is good meat 
for us for one meal, for we had not 
many a day no good repast. And so 
that venison was roasted, baked, and 
sodden, and so after supper some abode 
there all that night, but Sir Lionel and 
Ector de Maris and Sir Kay rode after 
Sir Launcelot to find him if they might. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Launcelot rode with the damsel 
and slew a knight that distressed all 
ladies, and also a villain that kept a 
bridge. 

Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that 
rode with the damsel in a fair high 
way. Sir, said the damsel, here by this 
way haunteth a knight that distresseth 
all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the 
least he robbeth them or ill-useth them. 
What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief 
and a knight, and a ravisher of women ? 
He doth shame unto the order of 
knighthood and contrary to his oath, 
it is pity that he liveth. But fair 
damsel ye shall ride on afore yourself, 
and I will keep myself in covert, and if 



that he trouble you or distress you, I 
shall be your rescue, and learn him to 
be ruled as a knight. So the maid rode 
on by the way a soft ambling pace. 
And within awhile came out that knight 
on horseback out of the wood, and his 
page with him, and there he put the 
damsel from her horse, and then she 
cried. With that came Launcelot as 
fast as he might, till he came to that 
knight, saying. Oh thou false knight 
and traitor unto knighthood, who 
did learn thee to distress ladies and gen- 
tlewomen? When the knight saw Sir 
Launcelot thus rebuking him, he an- 
swered not, but drew his sword and 
rode unto Sir Launcelot. And Sir 
Launcelot threw his spear from him, 
and drew out his sword, and strake 
him such a buffet on the helmet that he 
clave his head and neck unto the 
throat. Now hast thou thy payment 
that long thou hast deserved. That is 
truth, said the damsel, for like as Tur- 
quine watched to destroy knights, so 
did this knight attend to destroy and 
distress ladies, damsels, and gentle- 
women, and his name was Sir Peris de 
Forest Savage. Now damsel, said Sir 
Launcelot, will ye any more service of 
me? Nay sir, she said, at this time; 
but Ahnighty Jesu preserv^e you where- 
soever ye ride or go, for the courtiest 
knight thou art and meekest unto all 
ladies and gentlewomen that now liveth. 
But one thing, sir knight, me thinketh 
ye lack, ye that are a knight wife- 
less, that ye will not love some maiden 
or gentlewoman, for I could never hear 
say that ever ye loved any of no m.anner 
degree, and that is great pity ; but it is 
noised that ye love queen Guenever, and 
that she hath ordained by enchantment 
that ye shall never love none other but 
her, nor none other damsel nor lady 
shall rejoice you; wherefore many in 
this land, of high estate and low, make 
great sorrow. Fair damsel, said Sir 
Launcelot, I may not warn people to 
speak of me what it pleaseth thern : but 
for to be a wedded man I think it not, 
for then I must couch with her, and 
leave arms and tournaments, battles 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and adventures. And as for to say for 
to take my pleasance with paramours, 
that will I refuse in principal for dread 
of God. For knights that be adulterous, 
or wanton, shall not be happy nor 
fortunate unto the wars, for either they 
shall be overcome with a simpler knight 
than they be themselves, or else they 
shall by mishap and their cursedness 
slay better men than they be them- 
selves ; and who that so useth shall be 
unhappy, and all thing is unhappy that 
is about them. And so Sir Launcelot 
and she departed. 

And then he rode in a deep forest 
two days and more, and had strait 
lodging. So on the third day he rode 
over a long bridge, and there start upon 
him suddenly a passing foul churl, and 
he smote his horse on the nose that he 
turned about, and asked him why he 
rode over that bridge without his 
licence. Why should I not ride this 
way? said Sir Launcelot, I may not 
ride beside. Thou shalt not choose, 
said the churl, and lashed at him with a 
great club shod with iron. Then Sir 
Launcelot drew his sword, and put the 
stroke aback, and clave his head unto 
the breast. At the end of the bridge 
was a fair village, and all the people 
men and women cried on Sir Launcelot, 
and said, A worse deed diddest thou 
never for thyself, for thou hast slain the 
chief porter of our castle. Sir Launce- 
lot let them say what they would, and 
straight he went into the castle; and 
when he came into the castle he 
alight, and tied his horse to a ring on 
the wall ; and there he saw a fair green 
court, and thither he dressed himself, 
for there him thought was a fair place to 
fight in. So he looked about, and saw 
much people in doors and windows, 
that said, Fair knight thou art un- 
happy. 

CHAP. XL 

How Sir Lmincelot slew two giants, and 
made a castle free. 

Anon withal came there upon him 
two great giants, well armed all save the 



heads, with two horrible clubs in their 
hands. Sir Launcelot put his shield 
afore him, and put the stroke away of 
the one giant, and with his sword he 
clave his head asunder. When his fel- 
low saw that, he ran away as he were 
wood, for fear of the horrible strokes, 
and Sir Launcelot after him with all his 
might, and smote him on the shoulder, 
and clave him to the middle. Then Sir 
Launcelot went into the hall, and there 
came afore him threescore ladies and 
damsels, and all kneeled unto him, and 
thanked God and him of their deliver- 
ance. For, sir, said they, the most part 
of us have been here this seven year 
their prisoners, and we have worked all 
manner of silk works for our meat, and 
we are all great gentlewomen born, and 
blessed be the time, knight, that ever 
thou wert born ; for thou hast done the 
most worship that ever did knight in 
the world, that will we bear record, and 
we all pray you to tell us your name, 
that we may tell our friends who de- 
livered us out of prison. Fair damsels, 
he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. Ah, sir, said they all, well may- 
est thou be he, for else save yourself, as 
we deemed, there might never knight 
have the better of these two giants, for 
many fair knights have assayed it, and 
here have ended, and many times have 
we wished after you, and these two 
giants dread never knight but you. 
Now may ye say, said Sir Launcelot, 
unto your friends, how and who hath 
delivered you, and greet them all from 
me, and if that I come in any of your 
marches, shew me such cheer as ye have 
cause ; and what treasure that there is 
in this castle I give it you for a reward 
for your grievance : and the lord that is 
the owner of this castle I would that he 
received it as is right. Fair sir, said 
they, the name of this castle is Tintagil, 
and a duke owned it some time that had 
wedded fair Igraine, and after wedded 
her Uther Pendragon and gat on her 
Arthur. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I 
understand to whom this castle belong- 
eth. And so he departed from them 
and betaught them unto God. And then 



OF SIR LAUNCELOrS FEATS. 



he mounted upon his horse, and rode 
into many strange and wild countries 
and through many waters and valleys, 
and evil was he lodged. And at the 
last by fortune him happened against a 
night to come to a fair courtelage, and 
therein he found an old gentlewoman 
that lodged him with a good will, and 
there he had good cheer for him and 
his horse. And when time was, his 
host brought him into a fair garret over 
the gate to his bed. There Sir Launce- 
lot unarmed him, and set his harness by 
him, and went to bed, and anon he fell 
on sleep. So soon after there came one 
on horseback, and knocked at the gate 
in great haste. And when Sir Launce- 
lot heard this he arose up, and looked 
out at the window, and saw by the 
moon-light three knights came riding 
after that one man, and all three lashed 
on him at once with swords, and that 
one knight turned on them knightly 
again and defended him. Truly, said 
Sir Launcelot, yonder one knight shall 
I help, for it were shame for me to see 
three knights on one, and if he be slain 
I am partner of his death. And there- 
with he took his harness and went out 
at a window by a sheet down to the 
four knights, and then Sir Launcelot 
said on high, Turn you knights unto 
me, and leave your fighting with that 
knight. And then they all three left 
Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, 
and there began great battle, for they 
ahght all three, and strake many great 
strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed 
him on every side. Then Sir Kay 
dressed him for to have holpen Sir 
Launcelot. Nay, sir, said he, I will 
none of your help, therefore as ye 
will have my help let me alone with 
them. Sir Kay for the pleasure of the 
knight suffered him for to do his will, 
and so stood aside. And then anon 
within six strokes Sir Launcelot had 
stricken them to the earth. 

And then they all three cried. Sir 
knight, we yield us unto you as man of 
might matchless. As to that, said Sir 
Launcelot, I will not take your yielding 
unto me, but so that ye yield you unto 



Sir Kay the seneschal, on that covenant 
I will save your lives and else not. Fair 
knight, said they, that were we loth to 
do ; for as for Sir Kay we chased him 
hither, and had overcome him had not 
ye been ; therefore to yield us unto him 
it were no reason. Well, as to that, said 
Sir Launcelot, advise you well, for ye 
may choose whether ye will die or live, 
for and ye be yielden it shall be unto 
Sir Kay. Fair knight, then they said, 
in saving our lives we will do as thou 
commandest us. Then shall ye, said 
Sir Launcelot, on Whitsunday next com- 
ing go unto the court of king Arthur, 
and there shall ye yield you unto queen 
Guenever, and put you all three in her 
grace and mercy, and say that Sir Kay 
sent you thither to be her prisoners. 
Sir, they said, it shall done by the faith 
of our bodies, and we be living. And 
there they swore, every knight upon 
his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suf- 
fered them so to depart. And then Sir 
Launcelot knocked at the gate with the 
pommel of his sword, and with that 
came his host, and in they entered, Sir 
Kay and he. Sir, said his host, I wend ye 
had been in your bed. So I was, said 
Sir Launcelot, but I arose and lept out 
at my window for to help an old fellow 
of mine. And so when they came nigh 
the light Sir Kay knew well that it was 
Sir Launcelot, and therewith he kneeled 
down and thanked him of all his kind- 
ness that he hath holpen him twice from 
the death. Sir, he said, 1 have done 
nothing but that I ought to do, and ye 
are welcome, and here shall ye repose 
you and take your rest. So when Sir 
Kay was unarmed he asked after meat, 
so there was meat fetched him, and he 
ate strongly. And when he had supped 
they went to their beds, and were lodged 
together in one bed. On the morn Sir 
Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay 
sleeping : and Sir Launcelot took Sir 
Kay's arniour and his shield and armed 
him : and so he wxnt to the stable and 
took his horse, and took his leave of his 
host, and so he departed. Then soon 
after arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Laun- 
celot : and then he espied that he had 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



his armour and his horse. Now by my 
faith I know well that he will grieve 
some of the court of king Arthur : for 
on him knights will be bold, and deem 
that it is I, and that will beguile them : 
and because of his armour and shield 
I am sure I shall ride in peace. And 
then soon after departed Sir Kay, and 
thanked his host. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Launcelot rode disguised in Sir 
Kay's harness, and how he smote down 
a knighi. 

Now turn we unto Sir Launcelot that 
had ridden long in a great forest, and at 
the last he came into a low country full 
of fair rivers and meadows. And afore 
him he saw a long bridge, and three 
pavilions stood thereon of silk and san- 
dal of divers hue. And without the 
pavilions hung three white shields on 
truncheons of spears, and great long 
spears stood upright by the pavilions, 
and at every pavilion's door stood three 
fresh squires, and so Sir Launcelot 
passed by them, and spake no word. 
When he was past the three knights 
said that it was the proud Kay, he 
weeneth no knight so good as he, and 
the contrary is ofttime proved. By 
my faith, said one of the knights, his 
name was Sir Gaunter, I will ride after 
him and assay him for all his pride, and 
ye may behold how that I speed. So 
this knight. Sir Gaunter, armed him, 
and hung his shield upon his shoulder 
and mounted upon a great horse, and 
gat his spear in his hand, and galloped 
after Sir Launcelot. And when he 
came nigh him, he cried. Abide thou 
proud knight Sir Kay, for thou shalt 
not pass quit. So Sir Launcelot turned 
him, and either fewtred their spears, and 
came together with all their mights, and 
Sir Gaunter's spear brake, but Sir Laun- 
celot smote him down, horse and man. 
And when Sir Gaunter was at the earth 
his brethren said each one to other. 
Yonder knight is not Sir Kay, for he is 
bigger than he. I dare lay my head, 
said Sir Gilmere, yonder knight hath 
slain Sir Kay and hath taken his horse 



and harness. Whether it be so or no, 
said Sir Raynold the third brother, let us 
now go mount upon our horses and 
rescue our brother Sir Gaunter upon 
pain of death. We all shall have work 
enough to match that knight, for ever 
me seemeth by his person it is Sir 
Launcelot, or Sir Tristam, or Sir Pel- 
leas the good knight. Then anon they 
took their horses and overtook Sir 
Launcelot, and Sir Gilmere put forth 
his spear and ran to Sir Launcelot and 
Sir Launcelot smote him down that he 
lay in a swoon. Sir knight, said Sir 
Raynold, thou art a strong man, and, as 
I suppose, thou hast slain my two bre- 
thren, for the which riseth my heart 
sore against thee ; and if I might with 
my worship I would not have ado with 
thee, but needs I must take part as they 
do ; and therefore knight, he said, keep 
thyself. And so they hurtled together 
with all their mights, and all to-shivered 
both their spears. An4 then they drew 
their swords and lashed together eagerly. 
Anon therewith arose Sir Gaunter, and 
came unto his brother Sir Gilmere, and 
bad him arise and help we our brother 
Sir Raynold, that yonder marvellously 
matcheth yonder good knight. There- 
withal they lept on their horses, and 
hurtled unto Sir Launcelot. And when 
he saw them come, he smote a sore 
stroke unto Sir Raynold, that he fell 
off his horse to the ground, and then he 
struck to the other two brethren, and at 
two strokes he strake them down to the 
earth. With that Sir Raynold began to 
start up with his head all bloody, and 
came straight unto Sir Launcelot. Now 
let be, said Sir Launcelot, I was not far 
from thee when thou wert made knight, 
Sir Raynold, and also I know thou art 
a good knight, and loth I were to slay 
thee. Gramercy, said Sir Raynold, as 
for your goodness ; and I dare say as for 
me and my brethren, we will not be 
loth to yield us unto you, with that we 
knew your name ; for well we know ye 
are not Sir Kay. As for that be it as it 
may, for ye shall yield you unto dame 
Guenever, and look that ye be with her 
on Whitsunday, and yield you unto her 



HOW HE FOLLOWED A BRACHET. 



T23 



as prisoners, and say that Sir Kay sent 
you unto her. Then they swore it 
should be done. And so passed forth 
Sir Launcelot, and each one of the 
brethren helped each other as well as 
they might. 

CHAP. XIIL 

Hotv Sir Launcelot justed against four 
knights of the Round Table, and over- 
threw them. 

So Sir Launcelot rode into a deep 
forest, and there by in a slade he saw- 
four knights hoving under an oak, and 
they were of Arthur's court ; one was 
Sagramour le Desirous, and Sir Ector de 
Maris, and Sir Gawaine, and Sir Uwaine. 
Anon as these four knights had espied 
Sir Launcelot they wend by his arms it 
had been Sir Kay. Now by my faith, 
said Sir Sagramour, I will prove Sir 
Kay's might, and gat his spear in his 
hand, and came toward Sir Launcelot. 
Therewith Sir Launcelot was ware, and 
knew him well, and fewtred his spear 
against him, and smote Sir Sagramour 
so sore that horse and man fell both to 
the earth. Lo, my fellows, said Sir 
Ector, yonder ye may see what a buffet 
he hath ; that knight is much bigger 
than ever was Sir Kay. Now shall ye 
see what I may do to him. So Sir 
Ector gat his spear in his hand and 
galloped toward Sir Launcelot, and 
Sir Launcelot smote him through 
the shield and shoulder that horse 
and man went to the earth, and ever 
his spear held. By my faith, said 
Sir Uwaine, yonder is a strong knight, 
and I am sure he hath slain Sir Kay ; 
and I see by his great strength it will 
be hard to match him. And therewithal 
Sir Uwaine gat his spear in his hand 
and rode tov/ard Sir Launcelot, and Sir 
Launcelot knew him well, and so he 
met him on the plain and gave him 
such a buffet that he was astonied, that 
long he wist not where he was. Now 
see I well, said Sir Gawaine, I must 
encounter with that knight. Then he 
dressed his shield and gat a good spear 
in his hand, and Sir Launcelot knew 



him well, and then they let run their 
horses with all their mights, and either 
knight smote other in midst of the 
shield. But vSir Gawaine's spear to- 
brast, and Sir Launcelot charged so 
sore upon him that his horse reversed 
up so down. And much sorrow had 
Sir Gawaine to avoid his horse, and 
so Sir Launcelot passed on a pace, 
and smiled, and said, God give him 
joy that this spear made, for there 
came never a better in my hand. 
Then the four knights went each one 
to other, and comforted each other. 
What say ye by this gest ? said Sir Ga- 
waine, that one spear hath felled us 
four. We command him unto the 
devil, they said all, for he is a man of 
great might. Ye may well say it, said 
Sir Gawaine, that he is a man of might, 
for I dare lay my head it is Sir Launce- 
lot, I know it by his riding. Let him 
go, said Sir Gawaine, for when we come 
to the court then shall we wit. And 
then had they much sorrow to get their 
horses again. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Launcelot followed a brachet into 
a castle where he found a dead knight, 
and how he after was required of a 
damsel to heal her brother. 

Now leave we there and speak of Sir 
Launcelot that rode a great while in a 
deep forest, where he saw a black 
brachet, seeking in manner as it had 
been in the track of an huit deer, and 
therewith he rode after the brachet, and 
he saw lie on the ground a large track 
of blood. And then Sir Launcelot rode 
after. And ever the biachet looked be- 
hind her, and so she went through a 
great marsh, and ever Sir Launcelot 
followed. And then was he ware of an 
old manor, and thither ran the brachet, 
and so over the bridge. So Sir Laun- 
celot rode over that bridge that was 
old and feeble ; and when he came in 
midst of a great hall, there he saw lie a 
dead knight that was a seemly man, and 
that brachet licked his wounds. And 
therewithal came out a lady weeping 



124 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and wringing her hands, and she said, 
Oh knight, too much sorrow hast thou 
brought me. Why say ye so? said 
Sir Launcelot, I did never this knight 
no harm, for hither by track of blood 
this brachet brought me ; and therefore 
fair lady be not displeased with me, for 
I am full sore aggrieved of your griev- 
ance. Truly sir, she said, 1 trow it be 
not ye that have slain my husband, for 
he that did that deed is sore wounded, 
and he is never likely to recover, that 
shall I ensure him. What was your hus- 
band's name? said Sir Launcelot. Sir, 
said she, his name was called Sir Gil- 
bert, one of the best knights of the 
world, and he that hath slain him I 
know not his name. Now God send 
you better comfort, said Sir Launcelot. 
And so he departed and went into the 
forest again, and there he met with a 
damsel, the which knew him well, and 
she said aloud, W'ell be ye found, my 
lord; and now I require thee on thy 
knighthood help my brother that is sore 
wounded, and never stinteth bleeding, 
for this day fought he with Sir Gilbert 
and slew him in plain battle, and there 
was my brother sore wounded, and there 
is a lady a sorceress that dwelleth in 
a castle here beside, and this day she 
told me my brother's wounds should 
never be whole till I could find a knight 
that would go into the chapel perilous, 
and there he should find a sword and a 
bloody cloth that the wounded knight 
was lapped in, and a piece of that cloth 
and sword should heal my brother's 
wounds, so that his wounds were 
searched with the sword and the cloth. 
This is a marvellous thing, said Sir 
Launcelot, but what is your brother's 
name? Sir, said she, his name is Sir 
Meliot de Logres, That me repenteth, 
said Sir Launcelot, for he is a fellow qf 
the Table Round, and to his help I wiU 
do my power. Then, sir, said she, fol- 
low even this high way, and it will bring 
you unto the chapel perilous, and here 
I shall abide till God send you here 
again, and but you speed I know no 
knight living that may achieve that ad- 
venture. 



CHAP. XV. 

How Sir Launcelot came into the chapel 
perilous, and gat there of a dead corpse 
a piece of the cloth and a sword. 

Right so Sir Launcelot departed, and 
when he came unto the chapel perilous 
he alight down, and tied his horse to 
a little gate. And as soon as he was 
within the churchyard he saw on the 
front of the chapel many fair rich shields 
turned up so down, and many of the 
shields Sir Launcelot had seen knights 
bear beforehand. W'ith that he saw by 
him stand there a thirty great knights, 
more by a yard than any man that ever 
he had seen, and all those grinned and 
gnashed at Sir Launcelot. And when 
he saw their countenance he dread him 
sore, and so put his shield afore him, 
and took his sword in his hand ready 
unto battle ; and they were all armed in 
black harness, ready with their shields 
and their swords drawn. And when 
Sir Launcelot would have gone through- 
out them, they scattered on every side 
of him, and gave him the way, and 
therewith he waxed all bold and en- 
tered into the chapel, and then he saw 
no light but a dim lamp burning, and 
then was he ware of a corpse covered 
with a cloth of silk. Then Sir Laun- 
celot stooped down and cut a piece 
away of that cloth, and then it fared 
under him as the earth had quaked a 
little ; there withal he feared. And 
then he saw a fair sword lie by the 
dead knight, and that he gat in his 
hand and hied him out of the chapel. 
Anon as ever he was in the chapel-yard 
all the knights spake to him with a 
grimly voice, and said. Knight, Sir 
Launcelot, lay that sword from thee, or 
else thou shalt die. Whether I live or 
die, said Sir Launcelot, will no great 
word get it again, therefore fight for it 
and ye list. Then right so he passed 
throughout them, and beyond the chapel- 
yard there met him a fair damsel, and 
said, Sir Launcelot, leave that sword 
behind thee, or thou wilt die for it. I 
leave it not, said Sir Launcelot, for no 



HOW HE RECOVERED A FALCON. 



entreaties. No, said she, and thou didst 
leave that sword queen Guenever should 
ye never see. Then were I a fool and 
I would leave this sword, said Sir Laun- 
celot. Now gentle knight, said the 
damsel, I require thee to kiss me but 
once. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, that 
God me forbid. Well sir, said she, and 
thou haddest kissed me thy life days 
had been done, but now alas, she said, 
I have lost all my labour, for I ordained 
this chapel for thy sake, and for Sir 
Gawaine. And once I had Sir Gawaine 
within my power, and at that time he 
fought with that knight that lieth there 
dead in yonder chapel. Sir Gilbert, and 
at that time he smote off the left hand 
of Sir Gilbert. And Sir Launcelot 
now I tell thee, I have loved thee this 
seven year, but there may no woman 
have thy love but queen Guenever. 
But since I may not rejoice thee to have 
thy body alive, I had kept no more joy 
in this world but to have thy body 
dead. Then would 1 have balmed it and 
preserved it, and so have kept it my life 
days, and daily I should have kissed thee 
in despite of queen Guenever. Ye say 
well, said Sir Launcelot, God preserve 
me from your subtil crafts. And there- 
withal he took his horse and so de- 
parted from her. And as the book 
saith, when Sir Launcelot was departed 
she took such sorrow that she died 
within a fourteen night, and her name 
was Hellawes the sorceress, lady of the 
castle Nigramous. Anon Sir Launcelot 
met with the damsel. Sir Mehot's sister. 
And when she saw him she clapped her 
hands and wept for joy, and then they 
rode unto a castle thereby, where Sir 
Meliot lay. And anon as Sir Launcelot 
saw him he knew him, but he was pale 
as the earth for bleeding. When Sir 
Meliot saw Sir Launcelot, he kneeled 
upon his knees and cried on high : O lord 
Sir Launcelot help me ! Anon Sir Laun- 
celot leapt unto him, and touched his 
wounds with Sir Gilbert's sword, and 
then he wiped his wounds with a part 
of the bloody cloth that Sir Gilbert was 
wrapped in, and anon a wholer man in 
his life was he never. And then there 



was great joy between them, and they 
made Sir Launcelot all the cheer that 
they might, and so on the morn Sir 
Launcfelot took his leave, and bad Sir 
Meliot hie him to the court of my lord 
Arthur, for it draweth nigh to the feast 
of Pentecost, and there, by the grace of 
God, ye shall find me. And therewith 
they departed. 

CHAP. XVI. 

Hgw Sir Launcelot at the request of a lady 
recovered a falcon, by which he was 
deceived. 

And so Sir Launcelot rode through 
many strange countries, over marshes 
and valleys, till by fortune he came lo a 
fair castle, and as he passed beyond the 
castle him thought he heard two bells 
ring. And then was he ware of a falcon 
came flying over his head toward an 
high elm, and long lines about her feet, 
and as she flew unto the elm to take her 
perch, the lines overcast about a bough. 
And when she would have taken her 
flight she hung by the legs fast, and 
Sir Launcelot saw how she hung, and 
beheld the fair falcon perigot, and he 
was sorry for her. The meanwhile came 
a lady out of the castle, and cried 
on high, O Launcelot, Launcelot, as 
thou art flower of all knights help me to 
get my hawk, for and my hawk be lost 
my lord will destroy me ; for I kept 
the hawk and she slipt from me, and 
if my lord my husband wit it, he is so 
hasty that he will slay me. What is 
your lord's name? said Sir Launcelot. 
Sir, she said, his name is Sir Phelot, a 
knight that longeth unto the king of 
Northgalis. Well, fair lady, since that 
ye know my name, and require me of 
knighthood to help you, I will do what 
I may to get your hawk, and yet truly 
I am an ill climber, and the tree is 
passing high, and few boughs to help 
me withal. And therewith Sir Laun- 
celot alight, and tied his horse to 
the same tree, and prayed the lady to 
unarm him. And so when he was un- 
armed, he put off all his clothes unto 
his shirt and breeches, and with might 



26 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and force he climbed up to the falcon, 
and tied the lines to a great rotten 
branch, and threw the hawk down and it 
withal. Anon the lady gat the hawk in 
her hand, and therewithal came out Sir 
Phelot out of the groves suddenly, that 
was her husband, all armed, and with 
his naked sword in his hand, and said, 
O knight, Launcelot, now have I found 
thee as I would : and stood at the bole 
of the tree to slay him. Ah lady, said 
Sir Launcelot, why have ye betrayed 
me? She hath done, said Sir Phelot, but 
as I commanded her, and therefore 
there is none other boot but thine hour 
is come that thou must die. That 
were shame unto thee, said Sir Laun- 
celot, thou an armed knight to slay a 
naked man by treason. Thou gettest 
none other grace, said Sir Phelot, and 
therefore help thyself and thou canst. 
Truly, said Sir Launcelot, that shall be 
thy shame, but since thou wjlt do none 
other, take mine harness with thee, and 
hang my sword upon a bough that I 
may get it, and then do thy best to slay 
me and thou canst. Nay, nay, said Sir 
Phelot, for I know thee better than 
thou weenest, therefore thou gettest no 
weapon and I may keep you therefro. 
Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that ever 
knight should die weaponless. And 
therewith he awaited above him and 
under him, and over his head he saw 
a rounspik, a big bough leafless, and 
therewith he brake it off by the body ; 
and then he came lower, and awaited 
how his own horse stood, and suddenly 
he lept on the farther side of the horse 
from the knight. And then Sir Phelot 
lashed at him eagerly, weening to have 
slain him ; but Sir Launcelot put away 
j the stroke with the rounspik, and 
therewith he smote him on the one side 
of the head, that he fell down in a 
swoon to the ground. So then Sir 
Launcelot topk his sword out of his 
hand, and struck his neck from the 
body. Then cried the lady, Alas, why 
hast thou slain my husband ? I am not 
causer, said Sir Launcelot, for with false- 
hood ye would have had slain me with 
treason, and now it is fallen on you 



both. And then she swooned as though 
she would die. And therewithal Sir 
Launcelot gat all his armour as well as 
he might, and put it upon him, for 
dread of more resort, for he dread that 
the knight's castle was so nigh. And so 
soon as he might he took his horse and 
departed, and thanked God that he had 
escaped that adventure. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How Sir Launcelot overlook a hiight 
which chased his wife to have slain 
her, and how he said to him. 

So Sir Laimcelot rode many wild 
ways, throughout marshes and many 
wild ways. And as he rode in a valley 
he saw a knight chasing a lady with a 
naked sword to have slain her. And by 
fortune, as this knight should have slain 
this lady, she cried on Sir Launcelot 
and prayed him to rescue her. When 
Sir Launcelot saw that mischief he took 
his horse and rode between them, say- 
ing. Knight, fie for shame, why wilt 
thou slay this lady ? thou dost shame 
unto thee and all knights. What hast 
thou to do betwixt me and my wife ? 
said the knight ; I will slay her, maugre 
thy head. That shall ye not, said Sir 
Launcelot, for rather we two will have 
ado together. Sir Launcelot, said the 
knight, thou doest not thy part, for this 
lady hath betrayed me. It is not so, 
said the lady, truly he saith wrong on 
me, and because I love and cherish my 
cousin german, he is jealous betwixt 
him and me, and as I shall answer to 
God, there was never sin betwixt us. 
But, sir, said the lady, as thou art called 
the worshipfullest knight of the world, 
I require thee of true knighthood keep 
me and save me, for whatsoever ye say 
he will slay me, for he is without mercy. 
Have ye no doubt, said Launcelot, it 
shall not lie in his power. Sir, said the 
knight, in your sight I will be ruled 
as ye will have me. And so Sir Laun- 
celot rode on the one side and she on 
the • other : he had not ridden but a 
while but the knight bad Sir Launcelot 
turn him and look behind him and said. 



CHAP, xviii. HOW LAUNCELOT RETURNED TO ARTHURS COURT. 127 



Sir, yonder come men of aims after us 
riding. And so Sir Launcelot turned 
him, and thought no treason. And 
therewith was the knight and the lady 
on one side, and suddenly he swapped 
off his lady's head. And when Sir 
Launcelot had espied him what he had 
done, he said, and called him. Traitor 
thou hast shamed me for ever. And 
suddenly Sir Launcelot alight off his 
horse, and pulled out his sword to slay 
him. And therewithal he fell flat to 
the earth, and gripped Sir Launcelot 
by the thighs, and cried mercy. Fie on 
thee, said Sir Launcelot, thou shameful 
knight, thou mayest have no mercy, 
and therefore arise and fight with me. 
Nay, said the knight, I will never arise 
till ye grant me mercy. Now will I 
proffer thee fnir, said Launcelot : I will 
unarm me unto my shirt, and will have 
nothing upon me but my shirt, and my 
sword in my hand, and if thou canst 
slay me quit be thou for ever. Nay, 
sir, said Pedivere, that will I never. 
Well, said Sir Launcelot, take this lady 
and the head, and bear it upon thee, 
and here shalt thou swear upon my 
sword to bear it alway upon thy back, 
and never to rest till thou come to 
queen Guenever. Sir, said he, that will 
I do, by the faith of my body. Now, 
said Launcelot, tell me what is your 
name. Sir, my name is Pedivere. In 
a shameful hour wert thou born, said 
Launcelot. So Pedivere departed with 
the dead lady and the head, and found 
the queen with king Arthur at Win- 
chester, and there he told all the truth. 
Sir knight, said the queen, this is an hor- 
rible deed and a shameful, and a great 
rebuke unto Sir Launcelot : but not- 
withstanding his worship is not known 
in divers countries. But this shall I 
give you in penance : make ye as good 
skift as ye can, ye shall bear this lady 
^vith you on horseback unto the Pope 
of Rome, and qf him receive your pe- 
nance for your foul deeds, and ye shall 
never rest one night there as ye do 
another, and if ye go to any bed the 
dead body shall lie with you. This 
oath there he made, and so departed, 



and as it telleth in the French book, 
when he came to Rome the Pope bad I 
him go again to queen Guenever, and in | 
Rome was his lady buried by the Pope's \ 
commandment. And after this Sir Pe- '' 
divere fell to great goodness, and was 
an holy man and an hermit. 

CHAP. XVIIL 

How Sir Lauftcelol came to kmg Arthur's 
court, a7id how there were recounted all 
his noble feats and acts. 

Now turn me unto Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, that came home two days afore 
the feast of Pentecost. And the king 
and all the court were passing fain of 
his coming. And when Sir Gawaine, 
Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramour, Sir Ector 
de Maris, saw Sir Launcelot in Kay's 
armour, then they wist well it was he 
that smote them down all with one 
spear. Then there was laughing and 
smiling among them. And ever now 
and now came all the knights home 
that Sir Turquine had prisoners, and 
they all honoured and worshipped Sir 
Launcelot. When Sir Gaheris heard 
them speak, he said, I saw all the battle 
from the beginning to the ending, and 
there he told king Arthur all how it 
was, and how Sir Turquine was the 
strongest knight that ever he saw ex- 
cept Sir Launcelot : there were many 
knights bear him record, nigh three- 
score. Then Sir Kay told the king 
how Sir Launcelot had rescued him 
when he should have been slain, and 
how he made the knights yield them to 
me, and not to him. And there they 
were, all three, and bare record. And 
by my faith, said Sir Kay, because Sir 
Launcelot took my harness and left me 
his I rode in good peace, and no man 
would have ado with me. Anon there- 
withal came the three knights that 
fought with Sir Launcelot at the long 
bridge, and there they yielded them unto 
Sir Kay, and Sir Kay forsook them and 
said he fought never with them : But I 
shall ease your hearts, said Sir Kay, 
yonder is Sir Launcelot that overcame 
you. When they wist that, they were 



128 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



glad. And then Sir Meliot de Logres 
came home, and told king Arthur how 
Sir Launcelot had saved him from the 
death. And all his deeds were known, 
how four queens, sorceresses, had him 
in prison, and how he was delivered 
by king Bagdemagus's daughter. Also 
there were told all the great deeds of 
arms that Sir Launcelot did betwixt 
the two kings, that is to say, the king 
of Northgalis and king Bagdemagus. 
All the truth Sir Gahalantine did tell, 



and Sir Mador de la Porte, and Sir 
Mordred, for they were at that same 
tournament. Then came in the lady 
that knew Sir Launcelot when that he 
wounded Sir Belleus at the pavilion. 
And there, at the request of Sir Laun- 
celot, Sir Belleus was made knight of 
the Round Table. 

And so at that time Sir Launcelot 
had the greatest name of any knight of 
the world, and most he was honoured 
of high and low. 



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boofe. i^ere folotoctlj t!)c tale of 0gr Garct]^ of C^rfeencg, tj^at toag 
calUti 53caumaj)n0 bg ^gr feag, anl) 10 i\)c gcbcntj) boofe. 



®:6e SebcntJ ^ooh 



CHAP. L 

How Beaumains catne to king Arthur s 
court and dematided three petitions of 
king Arthur. 

When Arthur held his Round Table 
most fully, it fortuned that he com- 
manded that the high feast of Pentecost 
should be holden at a city and a castle, 
the which in those days was called Kink- 
Kenadon, upon the sands that marched 
nigh Wales. So ever the king had a 
custom that at the feast of Pentecost, 
in especial afore other feasts in the year, 
he would not go that day to meat until 
he had heard or seen of a great marvel. 
And for that custom all manner of 
strange adventures came before Arthur 
as at that feast before all other feasts. 
And so Sir Gawaine, a little tofore 
noon of the day of Pentecost, espied at 
a window three men upon horseback, 
and a dwarf on foot. And so the three 
men alight and the dwarf kept their 
horses, and one of the three men was 
higher than the other twain by a foot 
and a half. Then Sir Gawaine went 
unto the king and said. Sir, go to your 



meat, for here at the hand come strange 
adventures. So Arthur went unto his 
meat with many other kings. And 
there were all the knights of the Round 
Table, save those that were prisoners 
or slain at a recounter. Then at the 
high feast evermore they should be ful- 
filled the whole number of an hundred 
and fifty, for then was the Round Table 
fully complished. Right so came irito 
the hall two men well beseen and richly, 
and upon their shoulders there leaned 
the goodliest young man and the fairest 
that ever they all saw, and he was large 
and long and broad in the shoulders, 
and well visaged, and the fairest and 
the largest handed that ever man saw, 
but he fared as though he might not go 
nor bear himself, but if he leaned upon 
their shoulders. Anon as Arthur saw 
him there was made peace and room, 
and right so they went with him unto the 
high dais, without saying of any words. 
Then this much young man pulled him 
aback, and easily stretched up straight, 
saying. King Arthur, God you bless, 
and all your fair fellowship, and in 
especial the fellowship of the Table 
Round. And for this cause I am come 



THE ADVENTURE OF BEAUMAINS. 



129 



hither, to pray you and require you to 
give me three gifts, and they shall not 
be unreasonably asked, but that ye may 
worshipfully and honourably grant them 
me, and to you no great hurt nor 
loss. And the first done and gift I will 
ask now, and the other two gifts I will 
ask this day twelvemonth wheresoever 
ye hold your high feast. Now ask, said 
Arthur, and ye shall have your asking. 
Now sir, this is my petition for this 
feast, that ye will give me meat and 
drink sufficiently for this twelvemonth, 
and at that day I will ask mine other 
two gifts. My fair son, said Arthur, 
ask better, I counsel thee, for this is but 
a simple asking, for my heart giveth me 
to thee greatly that thou art come of 
men of worship, and greatly my conceit 
faileth me but thou shalt prove a man 
of right great worship. Sir, said he, 
thereof be as it may, I have asked that 
I will ask. Well, said the king, ye shall 
have meat and drink enough, I never 
defended that none, neither my friend 
nor my foe. But what is thy name 
I would wit? I cannot tell you, said 
he. That is marvel, said the king, that 
thou knowest not thy name, and thou 
art the goodliest young man that ever 
I saw. Then the king betook him to 
Sir Kay, the steward, and charged him 
that he should give him of all manner 
of meats and drinks of the best, and 
also that he had all manner of finding 
as though he were a lord's son. That 
shall little need, said Sir Kay, to do 
such cost upon him ; for I dare under- 
take he is a villain born, and never will 
make man, for and he had come of 
gentlemen he would have asked of you 
horse and armour, but such as he is, 
so he asketh. And since he hath no 
name, I shall give him a name that shall 
be Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and 
into the kitchen I shall bring him, and 
there he shall have fat browis every 
day, that he shall be as fat by the 
twelvemonth's end as a pork hog. 
Right so the two men departed, and 
beleft him to Sir Kay, that scorned him 
and mocked him. 



CHAP. 11. 

How Sir Laimcelot and Sir Gawaine were 
wroth because Sir Kay mocked Beau» 
mains, and of a daryisel which desired 
a hiightfor to fight for a'lady. 

Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and 
in especial Sir Launcelot bad Sir Kay 
leave his mocking, for I dare lay my 
head he shall prove a man of great 
worship. Let be, said Sir Kay, it may 
not be, by no reason, for as he is so 
hath he asked. Beware, said Sir Laun- 
celot, so ye gave the good knight Brew- 
nor. Sir Dinadan's brother, a name, and 
ye called him La Cote Male Taile, and 
that turned you to anger afterward. 
As for that, said Sir Kay, this shall 
never prove none such ; for Sir Brewnor 
desired ever worship, and this desireth 
bread and drink, and broth ; upon pain 
of my life he was fostered up in some 
abbey, and, howsoever it was, they failed 
meat and drink, and so hither he is come 
for his sustenance. And so Sir Kay bad 
get him a place and sit down to meat, 
so Beaumains went to the hall door, 
and set him down among boys and lads, 
and there he eat sadly. And then Sir 
Launcelot after meat bad him come to 
his chamber, and there he should have 
meat and drink enough. And so did 
Sir Gawaine : but he refused them all ; 
he would do none other but as Sir Kay 
commanded him, for no proffer. But 
as touching Sir Gawaine, he had reason 
to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, 
for that proffer came of his blood, for 
he was nearer kin to him than he wist. 
But that as Sir Launcelot did was of his 
great gentleness and courtesy. So thus 
he was put into the kitchen, and lay 
nightly as the boys of the kitchen did. 
And so he endured all that twelve- 
month, and never displeased man nor 
child, but always he was meek and 
mild. But ever when that he saw any 
justing of knights, that would he see 
and he might. And ever Sir Launcelot 
would give him gold to spend, and 
clothes, and so did Sir Gawaine. And 
where were any masteries done thereat 
would he be, and there might none cast 



130 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



bar nor stone to him by two yards. 
Then would Sir Kay say, How liketh 
you my boy of the kitchen ? So it 
passed on till the feast of Whitsuntide. 
And at that time the king held it at 
Carlion in the most roj^alest wise that 
might be, like as he did yearly. 

But the king would no meat eat upon 
the Whitsunday until he heard some 
adventures. Then came there a squire 
to the king and said. Sir, ye may go to 
your meat, for here cometh a damsel 
with some strange adventures. Then 
was the king glad, and set him down. 
Right so there came a damsel into 
the hall, and saluted the king, and 
prayed him of succour. For whom, 
said the king, what is the adventure ? 
Sir, she said, I have a lady of great 
worship and renown, and she is be- 
sieged with a tyrant, so that she may 
not out of her castle. And because 
here are called the noblest knights of 
the world, I come to you to pray you 
of succour. What highteth your lady, 
and where dwelleth she ? and who is 
he, and what is his name, that hath be- 
sieged her ? Sir king, she said, as for 
my lady's name that shall not ye know 
for me as at this time, but I let you wit 
she is a lady of great worship, and of 
great lands. And as for the tyrant that 
besiegeth her and destroyeth her lands, 
he is called the red knight of the red 
lawns. I know him not, said the king. 
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I know him well, 
for he is one of the perilousest knights 
of the world : men say that he hath seven 
men's strength, and from him I escaped 
once full hard with my life. Fair dam- 
sel, said the king, there be knights here 
would do their power to rescue your 
lady, but because ye will not tell her 
name, nor where she dwelleth, therefore 
none of my knights that be here now 
shall go with you by ray will. Then 
must I speak further, said the damsel. 

CHAP. in. 

How Beaumains desired the battle, and how 
it was granted to him, and how he de- 
sired to be made knight of Sir Launcelot. 
With these words came before the 



king Beaumains, while the damsel was 
there, and thus he said : Sir king, God 
thank you, I have been these twelve- 
month in your kitchen, and have had 
my full sustenance, and now I will ask . 
my two gifts that be behind. Ask upon 
my peril, said the king. Sir, this shall • 
be my two gifts. First, that ye will 
grant me to have this adventure of the 
damsel, for it belongeth unto me. Thou 
shalt have it, said the king, I grant it 
thee. Then, sir, this is the- other gift, • 
that ye shall bid Launcelot du Lake 
make me knight, for of him I v{\\\ be ; 
made knight, and else of none. And 
when I am past, I pray you let him ride 
after me, and make me knight when I 
require him. All this shall be done, ■ 
said the king. Fie on thee, said the i 
damsel, shall I have none but one that 
is your kitchen page. Then was she 
wroth, and took her horse and de- 
parted. 

And with that there came one to 
Beaumains, and told him that his horse 
and armour was come for him, and 
there was the dwarf come with all 
thing that him needed in the richest 
manner. Thereat all the court had 
much marvel from whence came all 
that gear. So when he was armed 
there was none but few so goodly a 
man as he was. And right so he came 
into the hall and took his leave of king 
Arthur and Sir Gawaine and Sir Laun- 
celot, and prayed that he would hie 
after him. And so departed and rode 
after the damsel. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Beaumains departed, and how he gat 
of Sir Kay a spear and a shield, and 
how he justed and fought with Sir 
Launcelot. 

But there went many after to behold 
how well he was horsed and trapped in 
cloth of gold, but he had neither shield 
nor spear. Then Sir Kay said all 
openly in the hall, I will ride after my 
boy in the kitchep, to wit whether he 
will know me for his better. Said Sir ; 
Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, Yet abide 



HOW BEAUMAINS WAS DUBBED KNIGHT. 



[31 



at home. So Sir Kay made him ready 
and took his horse and his spear and 
rode after him. And right as Beau- 
mains overtook the damsel, right so 
came Sir Kay, and said, Beaumains, 
what sir know ye not me? Then he 
turned his horse and knew it was 
Sir Kay, that had done him all the de- 
spite as ye have heard afore. Yea, said 
Beaumains, I know you for an ungentle 
knight of the court, and therefore be- 
ware of me. Therewith Sir Kay put 
his spear in the rest, and ran straight 
upon him, and Beaumains came as fast 
upon him with his sword in his hand ; 
and so he put away his spear with his 
sword, and with a foin thrust him 
through the side, that Sir Kay fell down 
as he had been dead, and he alight down 
and took Sir Kay's shield and his spear, 
and start upon his own horse and rode 
his way. All that saw Sir Launcelot, 
and so did the damsel. And then he 
bad his dwarf start upon Sir Kay's 
horse, and so he did. By that Sir Laun- 
celot was come. Then he proffered 
Sir Launcelot to just, and either made 
them ready, and came together so 
fiercely that either bare down other to 
the earth, and sore were they bruised. 
Then Sir Launcelot arose and helped 
him from his horse. And then Beau- 
mains threw his shield from him, and 
proffered to fight with Sir Launcelot on 
foot, and so they rushed together like 
boars, tracing, racing, and foining, to 
the mountenance of an hour, and Sir 
Launcelot felt him so big that he mar- 
velled of his strength, for he fought 
more like a giant than a knight, and 
that his fighting was durable and pass- 
ing perilous. For Sir Launcelot had so 
much ado with him that he dread him- 
self to be shamed, and said, Beaumains, 
fight not so sore, your quarrel and mine 
is not so great but we may leave off. 
Truly, that is truth, said Beaumains, 
but it doth me good to feel your might, 
and yet, my lord, I shewed not the 
utterance. 



CHAP. V. 

How Beaumains told to Sir Launcelot his 
name, and how he was dubbed knight of 
Sir Launcelot, and after overtook the 
damsel. 

Well, said Sir Launcelot, for I pro- 
mise you by the faith of my body I had 
as much to do as I might to save myself 
from you unshamed, and therefore have 
ye no doubt of none earthly knight. 
Hop0 ye so that I may any while 
stand a proved knight ? said Beaumains, 
Yea, said Launcelot, do ye as ye have 
done, and I shall be your M^arrant. 
Then, I pray you, said Beaumains, give 
me the order of knighthood. Then 
must ye tell me your name, said Laun- 
celot, and of what kin ye be born. Sir, 
so that ye will not discover me I shall, 
said Beaumains. Nay, said Sir Launce- 
lot, and that I promise you by the faith 
of my body, until it be openly known. 
Then, Sir, he said, my name is Gareth, 
and brother unto Sir Gawaine, of father 
and mother. Ah ! Sir, said Launcelot, 
I am more gladder of you than I was, 
for ever me thought ye should be of 
great blood, and that ye came not to 
the court neither for meat nor for 
drink. And then Sir Launcelot gave 
him the order of knighthood. And 
then Sir Gareth prayed him for to de- 
part, and let him go. So Sir Launcelot 
departed from him and came to Sir Kay, 
and made him to be borne home upon 
his shield, and so lie was healed hard 
with the life, and all men scorned Sir 
Kay, and in especial Sir Gawaine and 
Sir Launcelot said it was not his part 
to rebuke no young man, for full little 
knew he of what birth he is come, and 
for what cause he came to this court. 
And so we leave off Sir Kay and turn 
we unto Beaumains. When he had 
overtaken the damsel anon she said. 
What doest thou here? thou stinkest 
all of the kitchen, thy clothes be foul 
of the grease and tallow that thou gain- 
edst in king Arthur's kitchen ; weenest 
thou, said she, that I allow tliee for 
yonder knight that thou killedst ? Nay 
truly, for thou slewest him unhappily 



9-2 



133 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and cowardly, therefore turn again foul 
kitchen page, I know thee well, for Sir 
Kay named thee Beaumains ; what art 
thou but a lubber and a turner of 
spits,' and a ladle washer? Damsel, said 
Beaumains, say to me what ye will, I 
will not go from you whatsoever ye say, 
for I have undertaken to king Arthur 
for to achieve your adventure, and so 
shall I finish it to the end, or I shall die 
therefore. Fie on thee, kitchen knave, 
wilt thou finish mine adventure? thou 
shalt anon be met withall, that thou 
wouldest not for all the broth that ever 
thou suppedst once look him in the face. 
I shall assay, said Beauhiains. So thus 
as they rode in the wood, there came 
a man flying all that ever he might. 
Whither wilt thou ? said Beaumains. 
O lord, he said, help me, for hereby in 
a slade are six thieves, that have taken 
my lord and bound him, so I am afeard 
lest they will slay him. Bring me 
thither, said Sir Beaumains. And so 
they rode together until they came there 
as was the knight bound, and then he 
rode unto them and struck one unto the 
death, and then another, and at the 
third stroke he slew the third thief : 
and then the other three fled. And he 
rode after them, and he overtook them, 
and then those three thieves turned again 
and assailed Beaumains hard, but at the 
last he slew them, and returned and un- 
bound the knight. And the knight 
thanked him, and prayed him to ride 
with him to his castle there a little be- 
side, and he should worshipfuUy reward 
him for his good deeds. Sir, said Beau- 
mains, I will no reward hav6, 1 was this 
day made knight of noble Sir Launcelot, 
and therefore I will no reward have, but 
God reward me. And also I must fol- 
low this damsel. And when he came 
nigh her, she bad him ride from her, for 
thou smellest all of the kitchen ; weenest 
thou that I have joy of thee ? for all this 
deed thou hast done, is but mishapped 
thee ; but thou shalt see a sight that 
shall make thee turn again, and that 
lightly. Then the same knight which 
was rescued of the thieves rode after 
that damsel, and prayed her to lodge 



with him all that night. And because 
it w^as near night the damsel code with 
him to his castle, and there they had 
great cheer. And at supper the knight 
set Sir Beaumains afore the damsel. 
Fie, fie, said she, sir knight, ye are un- 
courteous to set a kitchen page afore 
me, him beseemeth better to stick a 
swine than to sit afore a damsel of high 
parentage. Then the knight was 
ashamed at her words, and took him 
up and set him at a side board, and set 
himself afore him. And so all that 
night they had good cheer and merry 
rest. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Sir Beautnains fought and slew two 
knights at a passage. 

And on the morn the damsel and he 

took their leave and thanked the knight, 

and so departed, and rode on their way 

until they came to a great forest. And 

there was a great river and but one 

passage, and there were ready two 

knights on the further side, to let them 

the passage. What sayest thou, said 

the damsel, wilt thou match yonder 

knights, or turn again ? Nay, said Sir 

Beaumains, I will not turn again and 

I they were six more. And therewithal 

I he rushed into the water, and in the 

midst of the water either brake their 

spears upon other to their hands, and 

then they drew their swords and smote 

eagerly at other. And at the last Sir 

Beaumains smote the other upon the 

helm that his head stonied, and there- 

J withal he fell down in the water, and 

I there was he drowned. And then he 

[ spurred his horse upon the land, where 

I the other knight fell upon him and 

j brake his spear, and so they drew their 

swords and fought long together. At 

the last Sir Beaumains clave his helm 

and his head down to the shoulders : and 

so he rode unto the damsel, and bade 

her ride forth on her way. Alas, she 

said, that ever a kitchen page should 

have that fortune to destroy such two 

doughty knights ; thou weenest thou 

hast done doughtily ; that is not so, 

for the first knight his horse stumbled. 



OF BEAU MAINS AND THE BLACK KNIGHT. 



133 



and there he was drowned in the 
water, and never it was by thy force 
nor by thy might. And the last knight 
by mishap thou earnest behind him and 
mishappily thou slewest him. Damsel, 
said Beaumains, ye may say what ye 
will, but with whomsoever I have ado 
withall I trust to God to serve him or 
he depart, and therefore I reck not what 
ye say, so that I may win your lady. Fie, 
fie, foul kitchen knave, thou shalt see 
knights tliat shall abate thy boast. Fair 
damsel, give me goodly language, and 
then my care is past, for what knights 
soever they be I care not, nor I doubt 
them not. Also, said she, I say it for 
thine avail, yet mayest thou turn again 
with thy worship, for and thou follow 
me thou art but slain, for I see all that 
ever thou dost is but by misadventure, 
and not by prowess of thy hands. Well, 
damsel, ye may say what ye will, but 
wheresoever ye go I will follow you. 
So this Beaumains rode with that lady 
till even-song time, and ever she chid 
him, and would not rest. And then 
they came to a black lawn, and there 
was a black hawthorn, and thereon 
hung a black banner, and on the other 
side there hung a black shield, and by it 
stood a black spear great and long, and 
a great black horse covered with silk, 
and a black stone fast by. 

CHAP. VII. 

How Sir Beaumains. fought with the linight 
of the black lawns, and fought with him 
till he fell down and died. 

There sat a knight all armed in black 
harness, and his name was the knight of 
the black lawn. Then the damsel, when 
she saw that knight, she bade him flee 
down the valley, for his horse was not 
saddled. Gramercy, said Beaumains, 
for always ye would have me a coward. 
With that the black knight, when she 
came nigh him, spake and said. Damsel, 
have ye brought this knight of king 
Arthur to be your champion? Nay, 
fair knight, said she, this is but a kitchen 
knave, that was fed in king Arthur's 
kitchen for alms. Why cometh he, said 



the knight, in such array? it is shame that 
he beareth you company. Sir, I cannot 
be delivered of him, said she, for with 
me he rideth maugre mine head ; would 
that ye should put him from me, or else' 
to slay him and ye may, for he is an 
unhappy knave, and unhappily he hath 
done this day; through mishap I saw 
him slay two knights at the passage of 
the water, and other deeds he did be- 
fore right marvellous, and through un- 
happiness. That marvelleth me, said 
the black knight, that any man that is 
of worship will have ado with him. 
They know him not, said the damsel, 
and because he rideth with me they 
think he is some man of worship born. 
That may be, said the black knight, 
how be it as ye say that he be no man 
of worship, he is a full likely person, and 
full like to be a strong man ; but thus 
much shall I grant you, said the black 
knight, I shall put him down upon one 
foot, and his horse and his harness he 
shall leave with me, for it were shame 
to me to do him any more harm. Wheil 
Sir Beaumains heard him say thus, he 
said. Sir knight, thou art full liberal of 
my horse and my harness, I let thee wit 
it cost thee nought, and whether it liketh 
thee or not this lawn will I pass, maugre 
thine head, and horse nor harness gettest 
thou none of me, but if thou win them 
with thy hands ; and therefore let see 
what thou canst do. Sayest thou that, 
said the black knight, now yield thy 
lady from thee, for it beseemeth never a 
kitchen page to ride with such a lady. 
Thou liest, said Beaumains, I am a gen- 
tleman born, and of more high lineage 
than thou, and that will I prove on thy 
body. Then in great wrath they de- 
parted with their horses, and came 
together as it had been the thunder ; 
and the black knight's spear brake, and 
Beaumains thrust him through both his 
sides, and therewith his spear brake, and 
the truncheon left still in his side. But 
nevertheless the black knight drew his 
sword and smote many eager strokes 
and of great might, and hurt Beaumains 
full sore. But at the last the black 
knight within an hour and a half he 



134 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



fell down off his horse in a swoon, and 
there he died. And then Beaumains saw 
him so well horsed and araaed, then he 
alight down, and armed him in his ar- 
mour, and so took his horse, and rode 
after the damsel. ^Yhen she saw him 
come nigh, she said, Away, kitchen knave, 
out of the wind, for the smell of thy 
foul clothes grieveth me. Alas, she said, 
that ever such a knave as thou art 
should by mishap slay so good a knight 
as thou hast done, but all this is thine 
unhappiness. But hereby is one shall 
pay thee all thy payment, and therefore 
yet I counsel thee, ilee. It may happen 
me, said Beaumains, to be beaten or 
slain, but I warn you, fair damsel, I will 
not flee away nor leave your company 
for all that ye can say, for ever ye say 
that they will kill me or beat me, but 
how soever it happeneth I escape, and 
they lie on the ground. And therefore 
it were as good for you to hold you 
still, thus all day rebuking me, for 
away will I not till I see the uttermost 
of this journey, or else I will be slain 
or truly beaten ; therefore ride on your 
way, for follow you I will whatsoever 
happen, 

CHAP. VIII. 
How the brother of the knight that was 
slain met with Beaimiains, and fought 
with Beaumains till he was yielden. 

Thus as they rode together, they saw 
a knight come driving by them all in 
green, both his horse and his harness ; 
and when he came nigh the damsel he 
asked her, Is that my brother the black 
knight that ye have brought with you? 
Nay, nay, said she, this unhappy kitchen 
knave hath slain your brother through 
unhappiness. Alas, said the green 
knight, that is great pity that so noble 
a knight as he was should so unhappily 
be slain, and namely of a knave's hand, 
as ye say that he is. Ah ! traitor, said 
the green knight, thou shalt die for 
slaying of my brother, he was a full 
noble knight, and his name was Sir 
Percard. I defy thee, said Beaumains, 
for I let thee wit I slew him knightly, 
and not shamefully. Therewithall the 



green knight rode unto an horn that was 
green, and it hung upon a thorn, and there 
he blew three deadly notes, and there 
came two damsels and armed him lightly. 
And then took he a great horse, and a 
green shield and a green spear. And 
then they ran together with all their 
mights, and brake their spears unto 
their hands. And then they drew their 
swords, and gave many sad strokes, and 
either of them wounded other full ill. 
And at the last at an overthwart Beau- 
mains' horse struck the green knight's 
horse upon the side, he fell to the 
earth. And then the green knight 
avoided his horse lightly, and dressed 
him upon foot. That saw Beaumains, 
and therewithal he alight, and they 
rushed together like two mighty cham- 
pions a long while, and sore they bled 
both. \\'ith that came the damsel and 
said. My lord the green knight, why for 
shame stand ye so long fighting with 
the kitchen knave? Alas, it is shame 
that ever ye were made knight, to see 
such a lad match such a knight, as 
the weed overgrew the corn. There- 
with the green knight was asham- 
ed, and therewithal he gave a great 
stroke of might, and clave his shield 
through. When Beaumains saw his 
shield cloven asunder he was a little 
ashamed of that stroke, and of her lan- 
guage; and then he gave him such a 
buffet upon the helm that he fell on his 
knees: and so suddenly Beaumains pulled 
him upon the ground groveling. And 
then the green knight cried him mercy, 
and yielded him unto Sir Beaumains, 
and prayed him to slay him not. All 
is in vain, said Beaumains, for thou 
shalt die, but if this damsel that came 
with me pray me to save thy life. 
And therewithal he unlaced his helm, 
like as he would slay him. Fie upon 
thee, false kitchen page, I will never 
pray thee to save his life, for I never 
will be so much in thy danger. Then 
shall he die, said Beaumains. Not so 
hardy thou foul knave, said the damsel, 
that thou slay him. Alas, said the 
green knight, suffer me not to die, for a 
fair word may save me. Fair knight, 



CHAP. IX. 



HOW THE DAMSEL REBUKED BEAU MAINS. 



135 



said the green knight, save my life, and I 
will forgive thee the death of my brother, 
and for ever to become thy man, and 
thirty knights that hold of me for ever 
shall do you service. In the devil's 
name, said the damsel, that such a foul 
kitchen knave should have thee and 
thirty knights' service. Sir knight, said 
Beaumains, all this availeth thee not, but 
if my damsel speak with me for thy life. 
And therewithal he made a semblant 
to slay him. Let be, said the damsel, 
thou foul knave, slay him not, for and 
thou do thou shall repent it. Damsel, 
said Beaumains, your charge is to me a 
pleasure, and at your commandment his 
life shall be saved, and else not. Then 
he said, Sir knight with the green arms, 
I release thee quit at this damsel's re- 
quest, for I will not make her wroth ; I 
will fulfill all that she chargeth me. 
And then the green knight kneeled 
down, and did him homage with his 
sword. Then said the damsel. Me re- 
penteth, green knight, of your damage, 
and of your brother's death the black 
knight, for of your help I had great 
need, for I dread me sore to pass this 
forest. Nay, dread you not, said the 
green knight, for ye shall lodge with 
me this night, and to mom I shall 
help you through this forest. So they 
took their horses and rode to his manor, 
which was fast there beside. 

CHAP. IX. 

How the datnsel ever rebuked Sir Beau- 
mains, a?id woidd not suffer him to sit 
at her table, but called him kitchen boy. 
And ever she rebuked Beaumains, and 
would not suffer him to sit at her table, 
but as the green knight took him and sat 
him at a side table. Marvel me thinketh, 
said the green knight to the damsel, 
why ye rebuke this noble knight as ye 
do, for I warn you, damsel, he is a full 
noble knight, and I know no knight 
is able to match him, therefore ye do 
great wrong to rebuke him, for he shall 
do you right good service, for what- 
soever he maketh himself ye shall prove 
at the end that he is come of a noble 
blood, and of king's lineage. Fie, fie. 



said the damsel, it is shame for you to 
say of him such worship. Truly, said 
the green knight, it were shame for me 
to say of him any disworship, for he 
hath proved himself a better knight 
than I am, yet have I met with many 
knights in my days, and never or this 
time have I found no knight his match. 
And so that night they went unto rest, 
and all that night the green knight 
commanded tliirty knights privily to 
watch Beaumains, for to keep him from 
all treason. And so on the morn they 
all arose, and heard their mass and 
brake their fast, and then they took 
their horses and rode on their way, and 
the green kniglit conveyed them through 
the forest, and there the green knight 
said, My lord Beaumains, I and these 
thirty knights shall be alway at your 
summons, both early and late, at your 
calling, and where that ever ye will send 
us. It is v/ell said, said Beaumains ; 
when that I call upon you ye must 
yield you unto king Arthur and all your 
knights. If that ye so command us, we 
shall be ready at all times, said the 
green knight. P"ie, fie upon thee, said 
the damsel, that any good knights 
should be obedient unto a kitchen 
knave. So then departed the green knight 
and the damsel. And then she said 
unto Beaumains, \Vhy followest thou 
me thou kitclien boy, cast away thy 
shield and thy spear and flee away, yet 
I counsel thee betimes or thou shall say 
right soon, Alas ! For were thou as 
wight as ever was Wade, or Launcelot, 
Tristram, or the good knight Sir La- 
morake, thou shalt not pass a pass here, 
that is called the pass perilous. Damsel, 
said Beaumains, who is afeard let him 
flee, for it were shame to turn again 
since I have ridden so long with you. 
Well, said the damsel, ye shall soon, 
whether ye will or not. 

CHAP. X. 

How the third brother, called the red knight, 
justed and fotight against Beaumains, 
and how Beaumains overcame him. 
So within a while they saw a tower as 

white as any snow, well matchcold all 



136 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



about, and double diked. And over the 
tower-gate there hung a fifty shields of 
divers colours ; and under that tower 
there was a fair meadow. And therein 
were many knights and squires to be- 
hold scaffolds and pavilions, for there 
upon the morn should be a great tourna- 
ment ; and the lord of the tower was in 
his castle, and looked out at a window, 
and saw a damsel, a dwarf, and a knight 
armed at all points. By my faith, said 
the lord, with that knight will I just, 
for I see that he is a knight errant. 
And so he armed him, and horsed him 
hastily. And when he was on horse- 
back with his shield and his spear, it 
was all red, both his horse and his 
harness, and all that to him belonged. 
And when that he came nigh him he 
wend it had been his brother the black 
knight. And then he cried aloud, 
Brother what do ye in these marches ? 
Nay, nay, said the damsel, it is not he ; 
this is but a kitchen knave, that was 
brought up for alms in king Arthur's 
court. Nevertheless, said the red knight, 
I will speak with him or he depart. Ah, 
said the damsel, this knave hath killed 
thy brother, and Sir Kay named him 
Beaumains, and this horse and harness 
was thy brother's the black knight. 
Also I saw thy brother the green knight 
overcome of his hands. Now may ye 
be revenged upon him, for I may never 
be quit of him. 

With this either knight departed in 
sunder, and they came together with 
all their might, and either of their horses 
fell to the earth, and they avoided their 
horses, and put their shields afore them, 
and drew their swords, and either gave 
other sad strokes, now here, now there, 
racing, tracing, foining, and hurling like 
two boars, the space of two hours. 
And then she cried on high to the red 
knight, Alas, thou noble red knight, 
think what worship hath followed thee, 
let never a kitchen knave endure thee so 
long as he doth. Then the red knight 
waxed wroth, and doubled his strokes, 
and hurt Beaumains wonderly sore, that 
the blood ran down to the ground, 
that it was wonder to see that strong 



battle. Yet at the last Sir Beaumains 
strake him to the earth, and as he 
would have slain the red knight he cried 
mercy, saying. Noble knight slay me 
not, and I shall yield me to thee with 
fifty knights with me that be at my 
commandment. And I forgive thee all 
the despite that thou hast done to me, 
and the death of my brother the black 
knight. All this availeth not, said Sir 
Beaumains, but if ray damsel pray me 
to save thy life. And therewith he 
made semblant to strike off his head. 
Let be, thou Beaumains, slay him not, 
for he is a noble knight, and not so 
hardy upon thine head but thou save 
him. Then Beaumains bad the red 
knight stand up, and thank the damsel 
now of thy life. Then the red knight 
prayed him to see his castle, and to be 
there all night. So the damsel then 
granted him, and there they had merry 
cheer. But always the damsel spake 
many foul words unto Beaumains, 
whereof the red knight had great 
marvel, and all that night the red 
knight made threescore knights to 
watch Beaumains, that he should have 
no shame nor villainy. And upon the 
morn they heard mass, and dined, and 
the red knight came before Beaumains 
with his threescore knights, and there 
he proffered him his homage and fealty 
at all times, he and his knights to do 
him service. I thank you, said Beau- 
mains, but this ye shall grant me when 
I call upon you, to come afore my lord 
king Arthur and yield you unto him to 
be his knights. Sir, said the red knight, 
I will be ready and my fellowship at 
your summons. So Sir Beaumains de- 
parted and the damsel, and ever she rode 
chiding him in the foullest manner. 

CHAP. XL 

How Sir Beaumains suffered great re- 
bukes of the damsel, and he suffered it 
patiently. 

Damsel, said Beaumains, ye are un- 
courteous so to rebuke me as ye do, for 
me seemeth I have done you good ser- 
vice, and ever ye threaten me I shall be 



OF BEAUMAINS ANI) SIR PERSANT. 



beaten with knights that we meet, but 
evei" for all your boast they lie in the 
dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray 
you rebuke me no more : and when ye 
see me beaten or yielden as recreant, 
then may ye bid me go from you shame- 
fully, but first I let you wit I will not 
depart from you, for I were worse than 
a fool and I would depart from you all 
the while that I win worship. Well, 
said she, right soon there shall meet 
a knight shall pay thee all thy wages, 
for he is the most man of worship 
of the world, except king Arthur. I 
will well, said Beaumains; the more 
he is of worship the more shall be 
my worship to have ado with him. 
Then anon they were ware where was 
before them a city rich and fair. And 
betwixt them and the city a mile and 
a half, there was a fair meadow that 
seemed new mown, and therein were 
many pavilions fair to behold. Lo, said 
the damsel, yonder is a lord that owneth 
yonder city, and his custom is when the 
weather is fair to lie in this meadow to 
just and tourney; and ever there be 
about him five hundred knights and 
gentlemen of amis, and there be all 
manner of games that any gentleman 
can devise. That goodly lord, said 
Beaumains, would I fain see. Thou 
shalt see him time enough, said the 
damsel. And so as she rode near she 
espied the pavilion where he was. Lo, 
said she, seest thou yonder pavilion, 
that is all of the colour of Inde, and all 
manner of thing that there is about, men 
and w^omen, and horses trapped, shields 
and spears, all of the colour of Inde, 
and his name is Sir Persant of Inde, the 
most lordliest knight that ever thou 
lookedest on. It may well be, said 
Beaumains, but be he never so stout a 
knight, in this field I shall abide till 
that I see him under his shield. Ah 
fool, said she, thou were better flee be- 
times. Why, said Beaumains, and he 
be such a knight as ye make him, he 
will not set upon me with all his men, 
or with his five hundred knights. For 
and there come no more but one at 
once, I shall him not fail whilst my 



life lasteth. Fie, fie, said the damsel, 
that ever such a dirty knave should 
blow such a boast. Damsel, he said, 
ye are to blame so to rebuke me, for I 
had lever do five battles than so to be 
rebuked ; let him come, and then let 
him do his worst. Sir, she said, I mar- 
vel what thou art, and of what kin thou 
art come : boldly thou speakest, and 
boldly thou hast done, that have I seen : 
therefore I pray thee save thyself and 
thou mayest, for thy horse and thou 
have had great travail, and I dread we 
dwell over long from the siege, for 
it is but hence seven mile, and all 
perilous passages we are past, save all 
only this passage, and here I dread me 
sore lest ye shall catch some hurt, 
therefore I would ye were hence, that 
ye were not bruised nor hurt with this 
strong knight. But I let you wit this 
Sir Persant of Inde is nothing of might 
nor strength unto the knight that laid 
the siege about my lady. As for that, 
said Sir Beaumains, be it as it may; for 
since I am come so nigh this knight I 
will prove his might or I depart from 
him, and else I shall be shamed and I 
now withdraw me from him. And 
therefore, damsel, have ye no doubt by 
the grace of God I shall so deal with 
this knight, that within two hours after 
noon I shall deliver him, and then shall 
we come to the siege by day light. Oh 
mercy, marvel have I, said the damsel, 
what manner a man ye be, for it may 
never be otherwise but that ye be come 
of a noble blood, for so foul and shame- 
fully did never woman rule a knight as 
I have done you, and ever courteously 
ye have suffered me, and that came 
never but of a gentle blood. 

Damsel, said Beaumains, a knight 
may little do that may not suffer a 
damsel ; for whatsoever ye said unto 
me I took none heed to your words, for 
the more ye said the more ye angered 
me, and my wrath I wreaked upon 
them that I had ado withal. And there- 
fore all the missaying that ye missayed 
me furthered me in my battle, and caused 
me to think to shew and prove myself at 
the end what I was ; for peradventure 



138 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK VII. 



though I had meat in king Arthur's 
kitchen, yet I might have had meat 
enough in other places ; but all that I 
did it for to prove and to assay my 
friends, and that shall be known another 
day, and whether that I be a gentleman 
born or none, I let you wit, fair damsel, 
I have done you gentleman's service, 
and peradventure better service yet will 
I do or I depart from you. Alas, she 
said, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that 
I have missaid or done against thee. 
With all my heart, said he, I forgive it 
you, for ye did nothing but as ye should 
do, for all your evil words pleased me ; 
and damsel, said Beaumains, since it 
liketh you to say thus fair to me, wit 
ye well it gladdeth mine heart greatly, 
and now me seemeth there is no knight 
living but I am able enough for him. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Beaumains fought wiih Sir Per- 
sant of hide, and made him to he 
yieldeti. 

With this Sir Persant of Inde had 
espied them as they hoved in the field, 
and knightly he sent to them whether 
he came in war or in peace. Say to 
thy lord, said Beaumains, I take no 
force, but whether as him list himself. 
So the messenger went again unto Sir 
Persant, and told him all his answer. 
Well, then will I have ado with him to 
the utterance. And so he purveyed him 
and rode against him. And Beaumains 
saw him and made him ready, and there 
they met with all that ever their horses 
might run, and brake their spears either 
in three pieces, and their horses rushed so 
together that iDoth their horses fell dead 
to the earth, and lightly they avoided 
their horses, and put their shields afore 
them, and drew their swords, and gave 
many great strokes, that sometime they 
hurtled together that they fell groveling 
on the ground. Thus they fought two 
hours and more, that their shields and 
their hauberks were all forhewn, and in 
many places they were wounded. So 
at the last Sir Beaumains smote him 
through the side of the body, and then 



he drew him back here and there, and 
knightly maintained his battle long time. 
And at the last, thovigh him loth were, 
Beaumains smote Sir Persant above upon 
the helm that he fell groveling to the 
earth, and then he lept upon him over- 
thwart, and unlaced his hebn to have 
slain him. Then Sir Persant yielded 
him and asked him mercy. With that 
came the damsel, and prayed to save 
his life. I will well, for it were pity 
that this noble knight should die. 
Gramercy, said Persant, gentle knight 
and damsel ; for certainly now I wot 
well it was ye that slew my brother the 
black knight, at the black thorn ; he 
was a full noble knight, his name 
was Sir Percard. Also, I am sure that 
ye are he that won mine other brother 
the green knight, his name was Sir Per- 
tolepe. Also, ye won my brother the 
red knight Sir Perimones. And now 
since ye have won these, this shall I 
do for to please you ; ye shall have 
homage and fealty of me, and an hun- 
dred knights, to be always at your com- 
mandment, to go and ride where ye will 
command us. And so they went unto 
Sir Persant's pavilion, and drank the 
wine and eat spices. And afterward 
Sir Persant made him to rest upon a 
bed until supper time, and after supper 
to bed again. And so we leave him 
there till on the morn. 

CHAP. XIII. 

Of (he goodly communication between Sir 
Persant and Beaumains, and how he 
told him that his name was Sir Gareth. 

And so on the morn the damsel and 
Sir Beaumains heard mass and brake 
their fast, and so took their leave. Fair 
damsel, said Persant, whitherward are 
ye away leading this knight ? Sir, she 
said, this knight is going to the siege 
that besiegeth my sister in the castle 
dangerous. Ah, ah, said Persant, that 
is the knight of the red lawn, the which 
is the most perilous knight that I know 
now living, and a man that is without 
mercy, and men say that he hath seven 
men's strength. God save you, said he 



OF THE LADY THAT WAS BESIEGED. 



139 



to Beaumains, from that knight, for he 
doth great wrong to that lady, and that 
is great pity, for she is one of the fairest 
ladies of the world, and me seemeth 
that your damsel is her sister. Is not 
your name Linet ? said he. Yea, sir, 
said slie, and my lady my sister's name 
is dame Liones. Now shall I tell you, 
said Sir Persant, this red knight of the 
red lawn hath lain long at the siege, well 
nigh tliis two years, and many times he 
might have had her and he had would, 
but he prolongeth the time to this intent 
for to have Sir Launcelot du Lake to do 
battle with him, or Sir Tristram, or Sir 
Lamorak de Galis, or Sir Gawaine : 
and this is his tarrying so long at the 
siege. Now, my lord Sir Persant of 
Inde, said the damsel Linet, I require 
you that ye will make this gentleman 
knight, or ever he fight with the red 
knight. I will with all my heart, said 
Sir Persant, and it please him to take 
the order of knighthood of so simple a 
man as I am. Sir, said Beaumains, 
I thank you for your good will, for I 
am better sped, for certainly the noble 
knight Sir Launcelot made me knight. 
Ail, said Persant, of a more renowned 
knight might ye not be made knight. 
For of all knights he may be called 
chief of knighthood : and so all the 
world saith that betwixt three knights 
is parted clearly knighthood, that is 
Launcelot du Lake, Sir Tristram de 
Liones, and Sir Lamorak de Galis : 
these bear now the renown. There 
be many other knights, as Sir Pala- 
mides the Saracen, and Sir Sasere his 
brother ; also Sir Bleoberis, and Sir 
Blamore de Ganis his brother ; also Sir 
Bors de Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris, 
and Sir Percivale de Galis ; these and 
many more be noble knights, but there 
be none that pass the three above said ; 
therefore God speed you well, said Sir 
Persant, for and ye may match the red 
knight ye shall be called the fourth of 
the world. Sir, said Beaumains, I would 
fain be of good fame and of knighthood. 
And I let you wit I came of good men, 
for I dare say my father was a noble 
man, and so that ye will keep it in close, 



and this damsel, I will tell you of what 
kin 1 am. We will not discover you, 
said they both, till ye command us, by 
the faith we owe unto God. Truly 
then, said he, my name is Gareth of 
Orkney, and king Lot was my father, 
and my mother is king Arthur's sister ; 
her name is dame Morgawse, and Sir 
Gawaine is my brother, and Sir Agra- 
vaine, and Sir Gaheris, and I am the 
youngest of them all. And yet wot not 
king Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I 
am. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How the lady that was besieged had word 
from her sister how she had brought a 
Jinight to fight for her, and what battles 
he had achieved. 

So the book saith that the lady that 
was besieged had word of her sister's 
coming by the dwarf, and a knight with 
her, and how he had passed all the 
perilous passages. What manner a man 
is he? said the lady. He is a noble 
knight, truly, madam, said the dwarf, 
and but a young man, but he is as likely 
a man as ever ye saw any. What is he, 
said the lady, and of what kin is he 
come, and of whom was he made 
knight ? Madam, said the dwarf, he 
is the king's son of Orkney, but his 
name I will not tell you as at this time ; 
but wit ye well, of Sir Launcelot was he 
made knight, for of none other would 
he be made knight, and Sir Kay named 
him Beaumains. Hoav escaped he, said 
the lady, from the brethren of Persant ? 
Madam, he said, as a noble knight 
should. First, he slew two brethren at 
a passage of a water. Ah! said she, 
they were good knights, but they were 
murderers, the one hight Gherard de 
Breusse, and that other knight hight Sir 
Arnold de Breusse. Then, madam, he 
recountered with the black knight, and 
slew him in plain battle, and so he took 
his horse and his armour and fought 
with the green knight, and wan him in 
plain battle, and in likewise he served 
the red knight, and after in the same 
wise he served the blue knight, and 
wan him in plain battle. Then, said 



I40 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



the lady, he hath overcome Sir Per- 
sant of Inde, one of the noblest 
knights of the world. And the dwarf 
said, He hath won all the four bre- 
thren, and slain the black knight. And 
yet he did more tofore : he over- 
threw Sir Kay, and left him nigh dead 
upon the ground; also he did a great 
battle with Sir Launcelot, and there 
they departed on even hands : and then 
Sir Launcelot made hin\ knight. Dwarf, 
said the lady, I am glad of these tidings, 
therefore go thou in an hermitage of 
mine here by, and there shalt thou bear 
with thee of my wine in two flaggons of 
silver, they are of two gallons, and also 
two cast of bread, with fat venison 
baked, and dainty fowls ; and a cup of 
gold here I deliver thee, that is rich and 
precious, and bear all this to mine her- 
mitage, and put it in the hermit's hands. 
And then go thou unto my sister and 
greet her well, and command me unto 
that gentle knight, and pray him to eat 
and to drink, and make him strong ; and 
say ye him I thank him of his courtesy 
and goodness, that he would take upon 
him such labour for me that never did 
him bounty nor courtesy. Also pray 
him that he be of good heart and good 
courage, for he shall meet with a full 
noble knight, but he is neither of 
bounty, courtesy, nor gentleness, for he 
attendeth unto no thing but to murder, 
and that is the cause I cannot praise 
him nor love him. So this fUvarf de- 
parted and came to Sir Persant, where 
he found the damsel Linet and Sir 
Beaumains, and there he told them all 
as ye have heard, and then they took 
their leave ; but Sir Persant took an 
ambling hackney and conveyed them on 
their ways and then beleft thern tp God. 
And so within a little while they came 
to that hermitage, and there they drank 
the wine, and eat the venison and the 
fowls baken. 

And so when they had repasted 
them well, the dwarf returned again 
with his vessel unto the castle again, 
and there met with him the red knight 
of the red lawns, and asked him from 
whence that he came, and where he 



had been. Sir, said the dwarf, I have 
been with my lady's sister of this castle, 
and she hath been at king Arthur's 
court, and brought a knight with her. 
Then I account her travail but lost. 
For though she had brought with her 
Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, Sir La- 
morak, or Sir Gawaine, I would think 
myself good enough for them all. It 
may well be, said the dwarf, but this 
knight hath passed all the perilous 
passages, and hath slain the black 
knight, and other two more, and won 
the green knight, the red knight, and 
the blue knight. Then is he one of these 
four that I have afore rehearsed. He is 
none of those, said the dwarf, but he is 
a king's son. What is his name ? said 
the red knight pf the red lawn. That 
will I not tell you, said the dv/arf, but 
Sir Kay upon scorn named him Beau- 
mains. I care not, said the knight, what 
knight soever he b^, for I shall soon 
deliver him ; and if I ever match him 
he shall have a shameful death, as many 
other have had. That were pity, said 
the dwarf, and it is marvel that ye 
make such shameful war upon noble 
knights. 

CHAP. XV. 

How the damsel and Beaumaifis came to 
the siege, and came to a sycamore tree, 
and there Beaumams blew a horn, and 
then the knight of the red lawns came to 
fight with him. 

Now leave we the knight and the 
dwarf, and speak we of Beaumains, that 
all night lay in the hermitage, and upon 
the morn he and the damsel Linet heard 
their mass, and brake their fast. And 
then they took their horses and rode 
throughout a fair forest, and then they 
came to a plain, and saw where were 
many pavilions and tents, and a fair 
castle, and there was much smoke and 
great noise. And when they came near 
the siege Sir Beaumains espied upon 
great treps, as he rode, how there hung 
full goodly armed knights by the neck, 
and their shields about their necks with 
their swords, and gilt spurs upon their 
heels, and so there hung nigh a forty 



OF THE RED KNIGHT. 



141 



knights shamefully with full rich arms. 
Then Sir Beaumains abated his coun- 
tenance, and said, \Vhat meaneth this? 
Fair Sir, said the damsel, abate not your 
cheer for all this sight, for ye must en- 
courage yourself, or else ye be all shent, 
for all these knights came hither to this 
siege to rescue my sister dame Liones, 
and when the red knight of the red lawn 
had overcome them he put them to this 
shameful death, without mercy and pity. 
And in the same wise he will serve you 
but if ye quit you better. Now Jesu de- 
fend me, said Sir Beaumains, from such 
a villainous death and disgrace of arms, 
for rather than I should so be farewithal, 
I would rather be slain manly in plain 
battle. So were ye better, said the dam- 
sel ; for trust not in him is no cour- 
tesy, but all goeth to the death or 
shameful murder ; and that is pity, for 
he is a full likely man, well made of 
body, and a full noble knight of prowess, 
and a lord of great lands and posses- 
sions. Truly, said Beaumains, he may 
well be a good knight, but he useth 
shameful customs, and it is marvel that 
he endureth so long, that none of the 
noble knights of my lord Arthur have 
not dealt with him. And then they 
rode to the dikes, and saw them double 
diked with full warlike walls, and 
there were lodged many great lords 
nigh the walls, and there was great 
noise of minstrelsy, and the sea betid 
upon the one side of the walls, where 
were many ships and mariners' noise, 
with ' hale and how.' And also, there 
was fast by a sycamore tree, and there 
hung a horn, the greatest that ever they 
saw, of an elephant's bone, and this 
knight of the red lawn had hanged it 
up there, that if there came any errant 
knight he must blow that horn, and 
then will he make him ready, and come 
to him to do battle. But Sir, I pray 
you, said the damsel Linet, blow ye not 
the horn till it be high noon, for now 
it is about prime, and now encreaseth 
his might, that, as men say, he hath 
seven men's strength. Ah, fie for shame, 
fair damsel, say ye never so more to me, 
for, and he were as good a knight as 



ever was, I shall never fail him in his 
most might, for either I will win wor- 
ship worshipfully, or die knightly in the 
field. And therewith he spurred his 
horse straight to the sycamore tree, and 
blew so the horn eagerly that all the 
siege and the castle rang thereof. And 
then there lept out knights out of their 
tents and pavilions, and they within the 
castle looked over the walls and out at 
windows. Then the red knight of the 
red lawns armed him hastily, and two 
barons set on his spurs upon his heels, 
and all was blood-red, his armour, 
spear, and shield. And an earl buckled 
his helm upon his head, and then they 
brought him a red spear and a red steed, 
and so he rode into a little vale under 
the castle, that all that were in the 
castle and at the siege might behold 
the battle. 

CHAP. XVI. 

Hotv the hvo knights met together, and of 
their talking, and how they began their 
battle. 

Sir, said the damsel Linet unto Sir 
Beaumains, look ye be glad and light, 
for yonder is your deadly enemy, and at 
yonder window is my lady my sister, 
dame Liones. Where ? said Beaumains. 
Yonder, said the damsel, and pointed 
with her finger. That is truth, said 
Beaumains. She beseemeth afar the 
fairest lady that ever I looked upon, 
and truly, he said, I ask no better quar- 
rel than now for to do battle, for truly 
she shall be my lady, and for her I will 
fight. And ever he looked up to the 
window with glad countenance. And 
the lady Liones made courtesy to him 
down to the earth, with holding up both 
their hands. With that the red knight 
of the red lawns called to Sir Beaumains, 
Leave, sir knight, thy looking, and be- 
hold me, I counsel thee, for I warn thee 
well she is my lady, and for her I have 
done many strong battles. If thou have 
so done, said Beaumains, me seemeth it 
was but waste labour, for she loveth 
none of thy fellowship, and thou to love 
that loveth not thee, is but great folly. 



142 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



BOOK VII. 



For and I understood that she Avere not 
glad of my coining I would be advised or 
1 did battle for her. But I understand 
by the besieging of this castle, she may 
forbear thy fellowship. And therefore 
wit thou well, thou red knight of the 
red lawns, I love her, and will rescue 
her, or else to die. Sayest thou that, 
said the red knight, me seemeth thou 
ought of reason to beware by yonder 
knights that thou sawest hang upon 
yonder trees. Fie for shame, said Beau- 
mains, that ever thou shouldest say or do 
so evil, for in that thou shamest thyself 
and knighthood, and thou mayest be sure 
there will no lady love thee that knoweth 
thy wicked customs. And now thou 
weenest that the sight of these hanged 
knights should fear me. Nay truly, not 
so, that shameful sight causeth me to 
have courage and hardiness against thee, 
more than I would have had against 
thee and thou were a well-ruled knight. 
Make thee ready, said the red knight of 
the red lawns, and talk no longer with 
me. Then Sir Beaumains bad the dam- 
sel go from him, and then they put their 
spears in their rests, and came together 
with all their might that they had both, 
and either smote other in the midst of 
their shields, that the breastplates, horse- 
girths, and cruppers brast, and fell to 
the earth both, and the reins of their 
bridles in their hands, and so they lay a 
great while sore astonied ; and all they 
that were in the castle and in the siege 
wend their necks had been broken, and 
then many a stranger and other said 
the strange knight was a big man and 
a noble juster, for or now we saw never 
no knight match the red knight of the 
red lawns : thus they said, both within 
the castle and without. Then lightly 
they avoided their horses, and put their 
shields afore them, and drew their 
swords, and ran together like two fierce 
lions, and either gave other such buffets 
upon their helms that they reeled back- 
ward both two strides, and then they re- 
covered both, and hewed great pieces of 
their harness and their shields, that a 
great part fell into the fields. 



CHAP. XVII. j 

How after long fighting Beaumains over\ 
came the knight and would have slain 
him, hilt at the request of the lords he\ 
saved his life, and made hitn to yield 
him to the lady. 

And then thus they fought till it was 
past noon and never would stint till at 
last they lacked wind both, and then 
they stood v^^agging and scattering, 
panting, blowing and bleeding, that all 
that beheld them for the most part wept 
for pity. So when they had rested them 
a while they went to battle again, trac- 
ing, racing, foining, as two boars. And 
at sometime they took their run as 
it had been two rams, and hurtled to- 
gether that sometime they fell grovel- 
ing to the earth : and at sometime they 
were so amazed that either took other's 
sword in stead of his own. 

Thus they endured till even-song time, 
that there was none that beheld them 
might know whether was like to win 
the battle ; and their armour was so 
far hewn that men might see their naked 
sides, and in other places they were 
naked, but ever the naked places they 
did defend. And the red knight was a 
wily knight of war, and his Avily fighting 
taught Sir Beaumains to be wise; but 
he abought it full sore ere he did espy 
his fighting. And thus by assent of 
them both, they granted either other to 
rest ; and so they set them down upon 
two mole-hills there beside the fighting 
place, and either of them unlaced his 
helm and took the cold wind, for either 
of their pages was fast by them, to 
come when they called to unlace their 
harness and to set them on again at 
their commandment. And then when Sir, 
Beaumains' helm was off he looked by 
to the window, and there he saw the 
fair lady dame Liones ; and she made 
him such countenance that his heart 
waxed light and jolly ; and therewith he 
bade the red knight of the red lawns 
make him ready, and let us do the battle 
to the utterance. I will well, said the 
knight. And then they laced up their 
helms, and their pages avoided, and 



CHAP. xvin. HOW BEAUMAINS WON THE RED KNIGHT. 



HZ 



they slept together and fought freshly. 
Eut the red knight of the red lawns 
awaited him, and at an overthwart 
smote him within the hand, that his 
sword fell out of his hand : and yet he 
gave him another buffet on the helm 
that he fell groveling to the earth, and 
the red knight fell over him for to hold 
him down. Then cried the maiden 
Linet on high, O Sir Beaumains, where 
is thy courage become ! Alas, my lady 
my sister beholdeth thee, and she sob- 
beth and weepeth, that niaketh mine 
heart heavy. When Sir Beaumains 
heard her say so, he started up with a 
great might and gat him upon his feet, 
and lightly he lept to his sword and 
griped it in his hand, and doubled his 
pace unto the red knight, and there 
they fought a new battle together. But 
Sir Beaumains then doubled his strokes, 
and smote so thick that he smote the 
sword out of his hand, and then he 
smote him upon the helm that he fell to 
the earth, and Sir Beaumains fell upon 
him, and unlaced his helm to have slain 
him; and then he yielded him and asked 
mercy, and said with a loud voice, O 
noble knight I yield me to thy mercy. 
Then Sir Beaumains bethought him 
upon the knights that he had made 
to be hanged shamefully, and then he 
said, I may not with my worship save 
thy life, for the shameful deaths thou 
hast caused many full good knights to 
die. Sir, said the red knight of the red 
lawns, hold your hand and ye shall know 
the causes why I put them to so shame- 
ful a death. Say on, said Sir Beau- 
mains. Sir, I loved once a lady, a fair 
damsel, and she had her brother slain, 
and she said it was Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, or else Sir Gawaine, and she 
prayed me as that I loved her heartily 
that I would make her a promise by 
the faith of my knighthood, for to labour 
daily in arms until I met with one of 
them, and all that I might overcome I 
should put them unto a villainous death; 
and this is the cause that I have put all 
these knights to death, and so I ensured 
her to do all the villainy unto king 
Arthur's knights, and that I should take 



vengeance upon all these knights. And, 
Sir, now I will thee tell that every day 
my strength encreaseth till noon, and all 
this time have I seven men's strength. 

CHAP. xvni. 

How the blight yielded hint, atid how 
Bemimaifis made him to go u?ito king 
Arthur's court, and to cry Sir Launcelot 
mercy. 

Then came tliere many earls, and 
■barons, and noble knights, and prayed 
that knight to save his life, and take 
him to your prisoner : and all they fell 
upon tlieir knees and prayed him of 
mercy, and that he would save his life, 
and, Sir, they all said, it were fairer of 
him to take homage and fealty, and let 
him hold his lands of you, than for to 
slay him : by his death ye shall have 
none advantage, and his misdeeds that be 
done may not be undone ; and therefore 
he shall make amends to all parties, and 
we all will become your men, and do 
you homage and fealty. Fair lords, 
said Beaumains, wit you well I am full 
loth to slay this knight, nevertheless 
he hath done passing ill and shamefully. 
But insomuch all that he did was at 
a lady's request I blame him the less, 
and so for your sake I will release him, 
that he shall have * his life upon this 
covenant, that he go within the castle 
and yield him there to the lady, and if 
she will forgive and quit him, I will 
well ; with this that he make her amends 
of all the trespass he hath done against 
her and her lands. And also, when that 
is done, that ye go unto the court of 
king Arthur, and there that ye ask Sir 
Launcelot mercy, and Sir Gawaine, for 
the evil will ye have had against them. 
Sir, said the red knight of the red. 
lawns, all this will I do as ye command, 
and certain assurance and sureties ye 
shall have. And so then when the assur- 
ance was made, he made his homage 
and fealty, and all those earls and barons 
with him. And then the maiden Linet 
came to Sir Beaumains and unarmed 
him, and searched his wounds, and 
stinted his blood, and in likewise she 



U4 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



did to the red knight of the red lawns. 
And there they sojourned ten days in 
their tents, and the red knight made his 
lords and servants to do all the pleasure 
that they might unto Sir Beaumains. 
And so within a while the red knight of 
the red lawns went unto the castle and 
put him in the lady Liones' grace, and 
so she received him upon sufficient 
surety ; so all her hurts were well re- 
stored of all that she could complain. 
And then he departed unto the court of 
king Arthur, and there openly the red 
knight of the red lawns put him in the 
mercy of Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, 
and there he told openly how he was 
overcome and by whom, and also he 
told all the battles from the beginning 
unto the ending. Mercy, said king Ar- 
thur and Sir Gawaine, we marvel much 
of what blood he is come, for he is a 
noble knight. Have ye no marvel, said 
Sir Launcelot, for ye shall right well 
wit that he is come of a full noble blood, 
and as for his might and hardiness there 
be but few now living that is so mighty 
as he is, and so noble of prowess. It 
seemeth by you, said king Arthur, that 
ye know his name, and from whence he 
is come, and of what blood he is. 1 
suppose I do so, said Launcelot, or else 
I would not have given him the order of 
knighthood ; but he gave me such charge 
at that time that I should never discover 
him until he required me, or else it be 
known openly by some other. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Beaumains came to the lady, and 
when he came to the castle the gates 
were closed against him, and of the 
words that the lady said to hi?n. 

Now turn we unto Sir Beaumains, 
that desired of Linet that he might see 
her sister his lady. Sir, said she, I 
would fain ye saw her. Then Sir Beau- 
mains all armed him, and took his horse 
and his spear, and rode straight unto the 
castle. And when he came to the gate 
he found there many men armed, and 
pulled up the drawbridge and drew the 
port close. Then marvelled he why 



they would not suffer him to enter. 
And then he looked up to the window ; 
and there he saw the fair Liones, that 
said on high, Go thy way. Sir Beau- 
mains, for as yet thou shalt not have 
wholly my love, unto the time that thou 
be called one of the number of the wor- 
thy knights. And therefore go labour 
in worship this twelvemonth, and then 
thou shalt hear new tidings. Alas, fair 
lady, said Beaumains, I have not de- 
served that ye should shew me this 
strangeness, and I had wend that I 
should have right good cheer with you, 
and unto my power I have deserved 
thank, and well I am sure I have 
bought your love with part of the best 
blood within my body. Fair courteous 
knight, said dame Liones, be not dis- 
pleased nor over hasty ; for wit ye well 
your great travail nor good love shall 
not be lost, for I consider your great 
travail and labour, your bounty and 
your goodness, as me ought to do. And 
therefore go on your way, and look that 
ye be of good comfort, for all shall be 
for your worship and for the best, and 
perdy a twelvemonth will soon be done, 
and trust me, fair knight,! shall be true to 
you, and never to betray you, but to my 
death I shall love you and none other. 
And therewithal she turned her from the 
window ; and Sir Beaumains rode away 
ward from the castle, making great dole, 
and so he rode here and there, and wist 
not where he rode, till it was dark night. 
And then it happened him to come to 
a poor man's house, and there he was 
harboured all that night. But Sir Beau- 
mains had no rest, but wallowed and 
writhed for the love of the lady of the 
castle. And so upon the morrow he 
took his horse, and rode until underne, 
and then he came to a broad water, 
and thereby was a great lodge, and 
there he alight to sleep, and laid his 
head upon the shield, and betook his 
horse to the dwarf, and commanded 
him to watch all night. Now turn 
we to the lady of the same castle that 
thought much upon Beaumains, and 
then she called unto her Sir Gringa- 
more her brother, and prayed him in all 



CHAP. XX. 



OF SIR BEAUMAINS' DWARF. 



145 



manner, as he loved her heartily, that 
he would ride after Sir Beaumains, and 
ever have ye wait upon him till ye may 
find him sleeping, for I am sure in his 
heaviness he will alight down in some 
place and lay him down to sleep : and 
therefore have ye your wait upon him, 
and in the priviest manner ye can, take 
his dwarf, and go ye your way with him 
as fast as ever ye may or Sir Beaumains 
awake. For my sister Linet telleth me 
that he can tell of what kindred he is 
come, and what is his right name. And 
the mean while I and my sister will ride 
unto your castle to await when ye bring 
with you the dwarf. And then when ye 
have brought him unto your castle I 
will have him in examination myself: 
unto the time I know what is his right 
name and of what kindred he is come, 
shall I never be merry at my heart. 
Sister, said Sir Gringamore, all this shall 
be done after your intent. And so he 
rode all the other day and the night till 
that he found Sir Beaumains lying by 
a water, and his head upon his shield, 
for to sleep. And then when he saw Sir 
Beaumains fast on sleep, he came stilly 
stalking behind the dwarf, and plucked 
him fast under his arm, and so he rode 
away with him as fast as ever he might 
unto his own castle. And this Sir Grin- 
gamore's arms were all black, and that 
to him belonged. But ever as he rode 
with the dwarf toward his castle, he 
cried unto his lord and prayed him of 
help. And therewith awoke Sir Beau- 
mains, and up he lept lightly, and saw 
where Sir Gringamore rode his way with 
the dwarf, and so Sir Gringamore rode 
out of his sight. 

CHAP. XX. 

Hoiu Sir Beaumains rode after to rescue 
his dwarf, and came into the castle 
where he was. 

Then Sir Beaumains put on his helm 
anon, and buckled his shield, and took 
his horse and rode after him all that 
ever he might ride, through marshes and 
fields and great dales, that many times 
his horse and he plunged over the head 



in deep mires, for he knew not the way, 
but took the gainest way in that fury, 
that many times he was like to perish. 
And at the last him happened to come 
to a fair green way, and there he 
met with a poor man of the country 
whom he saluted, and asked him 
whether he met not with a knight 
upon a black horse and all black har- 
ness, and a little dwarf sitting behind 
him with heavy cheer. Sir, said this 
poor man, here by me came Sir Grin- 
gamore the knight, with such a dwarf 
mourning as ye say, and therefore I 
counsel you not follow him, for he is 
one of the most perilous knights of the 
world, and his castle is here nigh hand 
but two mile, therefore we advise you 
ride not after Sir Gringamore, but if 
ye owe him good will. 

So leave we Sir Beaumains riding to- 
ward the castle, and speak we of Sir 
Gringamore and the dwarf. Anon as 
the dwarf was come to the castle, dame 
Liones and dame Linet her sister, asked 
the dwarf where was his master bom, 
and of what lineage he was come ? And 
but if thou tell me, said dame Liones, 
thou shalt never escape this castle, but 
ever here to be prisoner. As for that, 
said the dwarf, I fear not greatly to tell 
his name, and of what kin he is come. 
Wit ye well he is a king's son, and his 
mother is sister to king Arthur, and he 
is brother to the good knight Sir Ga- 
waine, and his name is Sir Gareth of 
Orkney. And now I have told you his 
right name, I pray you, fair lady, let me 
go to my lord again, for he will never 
out of this country until that he have me 
again. And if he be angry he will do 
much harm or that he be stint, and work 
you wrack in this country. As for that 
threatening, said Sir Gringamore, be it 
as it be may, we will go to dinner. And 
so they washed and went to meat, and 
made them meny and well at ease, and 
because the lady Liones of the castle 
was there they made great joy. Truly 
madam, said Linet unto her sister, well 
may he be a king's son, for he hath 
many good taches on him, for he is 
courteous and mild, and the most suffer- 



10 



146 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



ing man that ever I met withall. For I 
dare say there was never gentlewoman 
reviled man in so foul manner as I have 
rebuked him ; and at all times he gave 
me goodly and meek answers again. 
And as they sat thus talking, there came 
Sir Gareth in at the gate with an angry 
countenance, and his sword drawn in 
his hand, and cried aloud that all the 
castle might hear it, saying, Thou trai- 
tor Sir Gringamore, deliver me my 
dwarf again, or by the faith that I 
owe to the order of knighthood, I shall 
do thee all the harm that I can. Then 
Sir Gringamore looked out at a window 
and said, Sir Gareth of Orkney, leave 
thy boasting words, for thou gettest not 
thy dwarf again. Thou coward knight, 
said Sir Gareth, bring him with thee, 
and come and do battle with me, and 
win him and take him. So will I do, 
said Sir Gringamore, and me list, but 
for all thy great words thou gettest him 
not. Ah ! fair brother, said dame 
Liones, I would he had his dwarf 
again, for I would he were not wroth, 
for now he hath told me all my desire I 
keep no more of the dwarf. And also, 
brother, he hath done much for me, and 
delivered me from the red knight of the 
red lawns, and therefore, brother, I owe 
him my service afore all knights living. 
And wit ye well that I love him before 
all other, and full fain I would speak 
with him. But in no wise I would that 
he wist what I were, but that I were 
another strange lady. Well, said Sir 
Gringamore, since I know now your 
will, I will obey now unto him. And 
right therewithall he went down unto 
Sir Gareth, and said. Sir, I cry you 
mercy, and all that I have misdone I 
will amend it at your will. And there- 
fore I pray you that ye would alight, 
and take such cheer as I can make you 
in this castle. Shall I have my dwarf? 
said Sir Gareth. Yea, sir, and all the 
pleasure that I can make you ; for as 
soon as your dwarf told me what ye 
were, and of what blood ye are come, 
and what noble deeds ye Irave done in 
these marches, then I repented of my 
deeds. And then Sir Gareth alight, 



and there came his dwarf and took his 
horse. O my fellow, said Sir Gareth, 
I have had many adventures for thy 
sake. And so Sir Gringamore took 
him by the hand, and led him into the 
hall where his own wife was. 



CHAP. XXI. 

How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beau- 
mains, came to the presence of his lady, 
and how they took acquaintance, and of 
their love. 

And then came forth dame Liones 
arrayed like a princess, and there she 
made him passing good cheer, and he 
her again. And they had goodly lan- 
guage and lovely countenance together. 
And Sir Gareth thought many times, 
Would that the lady of the castle peril- 
ous were so fair as she was. There 
were all manner of games and plays of 
dancing and singing. And ever the 
more Sir Gareth beheld that lady, the 
more he loved her, and so he burned 
in love that he was past himself in his 
reason. And forth toward night they 
went unto supper, and Sir Gareth might 
not eat for his love was so hot, that he 
wist not where he was. All these looks 
espied Sir Gringamore, and -then after 
supper he called his sister dame Liones 
unto a chamber and said. Fair sister, I 
have well espied your countenance be- 
tween you and this knight, and I will, sis- 
ter, that ye wit he is a full noble knight, 
and if ye can make him to abide here 
I will do to him all the pleasure that I 
can, for and ye were better than ye are, 
ye were well bestowed upon him. Fair 
brother, said dame Liones, I understand 
well that the knight is good, and come 
he is of a noble house. Notwithstand- 
ing I will assay him better, how be it I 
am most beholding to him of any earthly 
man, for he hath had great labour for 
my love, and passed many a dangerous 
passage. Right so Sir Gringamore went 
unto Sir Gareth and said, Sir, make ye 
good cheer, for ye shall have none other 
cause, for this lady my sister is yours 
at all times, her worship saved, for wit 
ye well she loveth you as well as ye do 



CHAP. XXII. 



OF THE LADY LINET'S ENCHANTMENTS. 



t47 



her, and better if better may be. And I 
wist that, said Sir Gareth, there lived 
not a gladder man than I would be. 
Upon my worship, said Sir Gringamore, 
trust unto my promise ; and as long as it 
liketh you ye shall sojourn with me, and 
this lady shall be with us daily and 
nightly to make you all the cheer that 
she can. I will well, said Sir Gareth, 
for I have promised to be nigh this 
country this twelvemonth. And well I 
am sure king Arthur and other noble 
knights will find me where that I am 
within this twelvemonth. For I shall 
be sought and found, if that I be on live. 
And then the noble knight Sir Gareth 
went unto the dame Liones, which he 
then much loved, and kissed her many 
times, and either made great joy of 
other. And there she promised him her 
love, certainly to love him and none 
other the days of her life. Then this 
lady, dame Liones, by the assent of her 
brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth 
what she was, and how she was the 
same lady that he did battle for, and 
how she was lady of the castle perilous. 
And there she told him how she caused 
her brother to take away his dwarf. 

CHAP. XXII. 

How, at night, came an armed knight and 
fought with Sir Gareth, and he, sore 
hurt in the thigh, stnote off the knight's 
head. 

For this cause, to know the certainty 
what was your name, and of what kin 
ye were come. And then she let fetch 
before him Linet the damsel, which had 
ridden with him many dreary ways. 
Then was Sir Gareth more gladder than 
he was tofore. And then they troth 
plight each other to love, and never to 
fail while their life lasted. And at after 
supper was made clean avoidance, that 
every lord and lady should go unto his 
rest. But Sir Gareth said plainly that 
he would go no further than the hall, 
for in such places, he said, was con- 
venient for an errant knight to take his 
rest in. And so there were ordained 
great couches, and thereon feather beds, 



and there laid him down to sleep. And 
within awhile he looked afore him and 
perceived and saw come an armed 
knight, with many lights about him. 
And this knight had a long battle-axe 
in his hand, and made grim counten- 
ance to smite him. When Sir Gareth 
saw him come in that wise, he lept out 
of his bed, and gat in his hand his 
sword, and lept straight toward that 
knight. And when the knight saw 
Sir Gareth come so fiercely upon him, 
he smote him with a thrust through the 
thick of the thigh, that the wound was 
a shaftmon broad, and had cut a-two 
many veins and sinews. And there- 
withal Sir Gareth smote him upon the 
helm such a bufiet that he fell gro- 
veling, and then he lept over him, and 
unlaced his helm, and smote oif his 
head from the body. And then he bled 
so fast that he might not stand, but so 
he laid him down upon his bed, and 
there he swooned, and lay as he had 
been dead. Then dame Liones found 
him, and cried aloud, that her brother 
Sir Gringamore heard and came down. 
And when he saw Sir Gareth so shame- 
fully wounded, he was sore displeased, 
and said, I am shamed that this noble 
knight is thus honoured. Sister, said 
Sir Gringamore, How may this be that 
ye be here, and this noble knight 
wounded ? Brother, said dame Liones, 
I cannot tell you, for it was not done 
by me, nor by mine assent. For he is 
my lord, and I am his, and he must be 
my husband, therefore, brother, I will 
that ye wit I shame me not to be with 
him, nor to do him all the pleasure that 
I can. Sister, said Sir Gringamore, and I 
will that ye wit it, and Sir Gareth both, 
that it was never done by me nor by 
mine assent that this unhappy deed was 
done. And there they stanched his 
bleeding as well as they might. And 
great sorrow made Sir Gringamore and 
dame Liones. And forthwithal came 
dame Linet and took up the head in the 
sight of them all, and anointed it with 
an ointment there as it was smitten off, 
and in the same wise she did to the 
other part there as the head stuck, and 



14S 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



then she set it together, and it stuck as 
fast as ever it did. And the knight 
arose lightly up, and the damsel Linet 
put him in her chamber. All this saw- 
Sir Gringamore and dame Liones, and so 
did Sir Gareth, and well he espied that 
it was the damsel Linet that rode with 
him through the perilous passages. Ah 
well, damsel, said Sir Gareth, I wend ye 
would not have done as ye have done. 
My lord Gareth, said the damsel Linet, 
all that I have done I will avow, and 
all that I have done shall be for your 
honour and worship, and to us all. 
And so within a while, Sir Gareth was 
nigh whole, and waxed light and jocund, 
and sang, danced, and gamed. And at 
night, because he was wounded afore, he 
laid his armour and his sword nigh his 
bed side. 

CHAP. XXIIL 

How the said knight came again the next 
night, atid was beheaded again. And 
how at the feast of Pentecost all the 
knights that Sir Gareth had overcojue 
cayne and yielded them to king Arthur. 
Right as soon as Sir Gareth was in 
his bed he espied an armed knight 
coming toward the bed, and therewith 
he leaped lightly out, and they hurtled 
together with great ire and malice all 
about the hall, and, there was great 
light as it had been the number of 
twenty torches both before and behind, 
so that Sir Gareth strained him so that 
his old wound burst out again bleeding, 
but he was hot and courageous, and took 
no keep, but with his great force he 
struck down that knight, and voided his 
helm and struck off his head. Then he 
hewed the head in an hundred pieces. 
And when he had done so, he took up 
all those pieces and threw them out at 
a window into the ditches of the castle ; 
and by this done he was so faint that 
scarcely he might stand for bleeding. 
And then he fell in a deadly swoon in 
the floor. And then dame Liones found 
him, and cried so that Sir Gringamore 
heard. And when he came and found 
Sir Gareth in that plight, he made 
great sorrow, and there he awaked Sir 



Gareth, and gave him a drink that re- 
lieved him wonderly well, but the sorrow 
that dame Liones made there may no 
tongue tell, for she so fared with herself 
as she would have died. Right so came 
this damsel Linet before them all, and 
she had fetched all the gobbets of the 
head that Sir Gareth had thrown out at 
a window, and there she anointed them 
as she had done tofore, and set them 
together again. Well, damsel Linet, 
said Sir Gareth, I have not deserved all 
this despite that ye do unto me. Sir 
knight, she said, I have nothing done 
but I will avow, and all that I have 
done shall be to your worship and to us 
all. And then was Sir Gareth stanched 
of his bleeding. But the leeches said 
that there was no man that bare the 
life should heal him throughout of his 
wound, but if they healed him that 
caused that stroke by enchantment. 

So leave we Sir Gareth there with 
Sir Gringamore and his sisters, and turn 
we unto king Arthur, that at the next 
feast of Pentecost held his feast, and 
there came the green knight with fifty 
knights, and yielded them all unto king 
Arthur. And so there came the red 
knight, his brother, and yielded him to 
king Arthur, and threescore knights 
with him. Also there came the blue 
knight, brother to them, with an hun- 
dred knights, and yielded them unto 
king Arthur. And the green knight's 
name was Pertole])e, and the red 
knight's name was Perimones, and the 
blue knight's name was Sir Persant of 
Inde, These three brethren told king 
Arthur how they were overcome by a 
knight that a damsel had with her, and 
called him Beaumains. By my faith, 
said the king, I marvel what knight he 
is, and of what lineage he is come ; he 
was with me a twelvemonth, and poorly 
and shamefully he was fostered, and Sir 
Kay in scom named him Beaumains. 
So right as the king stood so talking 
with these three brethren there came 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and told the 
king that there was come a goodly lord 
with six hundred knights with him. 
Then the king went out of Carlion, for 



OF KING ARTHUR'S NEXT FEAST. 



149 



there was the feast, and there came to 
him this lord, and saluted the king in a 
goodly manner. What will ye? said 
king Arthur, and what is your errand ? 
Sir, he said, my name is the red knight 
of the red lawns, but my name is Sir 
Ironside, and, sir, wit ye well here I am 
sent to you of a knight that is called 
Beaumains, for he won me in plain 
battle, hand for hand, and so did never 
no knight but he that ever had the 
better of me this thirty winter, the 
which commanded to yield me to you 
at your will. Ye are welcome, said the 
king, for ye have been long a great foe 
to me and to my court, and now I trust 
I shall so entreat you that ye shall be 
my friend. Sir, both I and these six 
hundred knights shall always be at your 
summons to do you service as may 
lie in our powers. Truly, said king 
Arthur, I am much beholding unto that 
knight that hath so put his body in 
devoir to worship me and my court. 
And as to thee. Ironside, that art called 
the red knight of the red lawns, thou art 
called a perilous knight. And if thou 
wilt hold of me I shall worship thee and 
make thee knight of the Table Round : 
but then thou must be no more a 
murderer. Sir, as to that I have pro- 
mised unto Sir Beaumains never more to 
use such customs, for all the shameful 
customs that I used I did at the request 
of a lady that I loved ; and therefore I 
must go unto Sir I^auncelot, and unto 
Sir Gawaine, and ask them forgiveness 
of the evil will I had unto them, for 
all that I put to death was all only for 
the love of Sir Launcelot and Sir Ga- 
waine. They be here now, said the 
king, afore thee, now may ye say to 
them what ye will. And then he 
kneeled dovm unto Sir Launcelot and 
to Sir Gawaine, and prayed them of 
forgiveness of his enmity that ever he 
had against them. 

CHAP. XXIV. 

How king Arthur pardoned them, and de- 
manded of them where Sir Gareth was. 
Then goodly they said all at once, 
God forgive you, and we do, and pray 



you that ye will tell us where we may 
find Sir Beaumains. Fair lords, said 
Sir Ironside, I cannot tell you, for it is 
full hard to find him, for all such young 
knights as he is one, when they be in 
their adventures be never abiding in one 
place. But to say the Avorship that the 
red knight of the red lawns and Sir 
Persant and his brothers said of Beau- 
mains it was marvel to hear. Well, my 
fair lords, said king Arthur, wit you 
well I shall do you honour for the love 
of Sir Beaumains, and as soon as ever 
I meet with him I shall make you all 
upon one day knights of the Table 
Round. And as to thee. Sir Persant of 
Inde, thou hast ever been called a full 
noble knight, and so have ever been thy 
three brethren called. But I marvel, 
said the king, that I hear not of the 
black knight your brother, he was a full 
noble knight. Sir, said Pertolepe the 
green knight, Sir Beaumains slew him 
in a recounter with his spear, his name 
was Sir Percard. That was great pity, 
said the king, and so said many knights. 
For these four brethren were full well 
known in the court of king Arthur for 
noble knights, for long time they had 
holden war against the knights of the 
Table Round. Then said Pertolepe 
the green knight unto the king: At a 
passage of the water of Mortaise there 
encountered Sir Beaumains with two 
brethren that ever for the most part 
kept that passage, and they were two 
deadly knights, and there he slew the 
eldest brother in the water, and smote 
him upon the head such a buffet that he 
fell down in the water and there he was 
drowned, and his name was Gherard le 
Breusse: and after he slew the other 
brother upon the land, and his name 
was Sir Arnold le Breusse. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How the queen of Orkney came to this feast 
of Pentecost, and Sir Gawaine and bis 
brethren came to ask her blessing. 

So then the king and they went to 
meat, and were served in the best man- 
ner. And as they sat at the meat, there 



150 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK VII. 



came in the queen of Orkney, with 
ladies and knights a great number. And 
then Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine and 
Gaheris arose and went to her, and 
saluted her upon their knees and asked 
her blessing : for in fifteen year they 
had not seen her. Then she spake on 
high to her brother king Arthur: Where 
have ye done my young son Sir Gareth. 
He was here amongst you a twelve- 
month, and ye made a kitchen knave of 
him, the which is shame to you all. 
Alas, where have ye done my dear son 
that was my joy and bliss? Oh dear 
mother, said Sir Gawaine, I knew him 
not. Nor I, said the king, that now me 
repenteth, but thanked be God he is 
proved a worshipful knight as any is 
now living of his years, and I shall 
never be glad till I may find him. Ah 
brother, said the queen unto king 
Arthur, and to Sir Gawaine, and to 
all her sons, ye did yourself great 
shame when ye amongst you kept my 
son Gareth in the kitchen and fed him 
like a poor hog. Fair sister, said king Ar- 
thur, ye shall right well wit I knew him 
not, nor no more did Sir Gawaine nor 
his brethren. But since it is so that he 
is thus gone from us all, we must shape 
a remedy to find him. Also, sister, me 
seemeth ye might have done me to wit 
of his coming, and then, and I had not 
done well to him, ye might have blamed 
me. Fbr when he came to this court 
he came leaning upon two men's shoul- 
ders, as though he might not have gone. 
And then he asked me three gifts, and 
one he asked the same day, that was 
that I would give him meat enough that 
twelvemonth. And the other two gifts 
he asked that day a twelvemonth, and 
that was that he might have the adven- 
ture of the damsel Linet, and the third 
was that Sir Launcelot should make him 
knight when he desired him. And so 
I granted him all his desire, and many 
in this court marvelled that he desired 
his sustenance for a twelvemonth, and 
thereby we deemed many of us that he 
was not come of a noble house. Sir, 
said the queen of Orkney unto king 
Arthur her brother, wit you well that I 



sent him unto you right well armed and 
horsed, and worshipfully beseen of his 
body, and gold and silver plenty to 
spend. It may be, said the king, but 
thereof saw we none, save that same 
day as he departed from us, knights 
told me that there came a dwarf hither 
suddenly, and brought him armour and 
a good horse, full well and richly be- 
seen, and thereat we had all marvel from 
whence that riches came, that we deemed 
all that he was come of men of worship. 
Brother, said the queen, all that ye say 
I believe, for ever since he was grown 
he was marvellously witted : and ever 
he was faithful and true of his promise. 
But I marvel, said she, that Sir Kay did 
mock him and scorn him, and gave him 
that name Beaumains : yet Sir Kay, said 
the queen, named him mole righteously 
than he wend ; for I dare say, and he 
be on live, he is as fair an handed man 
and well disposed as any is living. 
Sister, said Arthur, let this language be 
still, and by the grace of God he shall 
be found and he be within these seven 
realms ; and let all this pass, and be 
merry, for he is proved to be a man of 
worship, and that is my joy. 

CHAP. XXVI. 

How king Arthur sent for the lady Liones, 
and how she let cry a tourney at her 
castle, where as came many knights. 

Then said Sir Gawaine and his 
brethren unto Arthur, Sir, and ye will 
give us leave we will go and seek our 
brother. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, that 
shall ye not need, and so said Sir 
Baudwin of Britain : for as by our ad- 
vice the king shall send unto dame 
Liones a messager, and pray her that 
she will come to the court in all the 
haste that she may, and doubt ye not 
she will come, and then she may give 
you best counsel where ye shall find 
him. This is well said of you, said the 
king. So then goodly letters were made, 
and the messager sent forth, that night 
and day he went till he came unto the 
castle perilous. And then the lady 
dame Liones was sent for there as she 



CHAP. XXVI. HOW DAME LIONES CRIED A TOURNAMENT. 



151 



was with Sir Gringamore her brother 
and Sir Gareth. And when she under- 
stood this message, she bad him ride on 
his way unto king Arthur, and she 
would come after in all goodly haste. 
Then when she came to Sir Gringamore 
and to Sir Gareth, she told them all 
how king Arthur had sent for her. That 
is because of me, said Sir Gareth. Now 
advise me, said dame Liones, what shall 
I say, and in what manner I shall rule 
me. My lady and my love, said Sir 
Gareth, I pray you in no manner of 
wise be ye aknown where I am, but well 
I wot my mother is there and all my 
brethren, and they will take upon them 
to seek me; and I wot well that they 
do. But this, madam, I would ye said 
and advised the king, when he question- 
eth with you of me : then may ye say, 
this is your advice, that, and it like his 
good grace, ye will do make a cry 
against the feast of the Assumption of 
our Lady, that what knight there 
proveth him best, he shall weld you 
and all your land. And if so be that 
he be a wedded man, that his wife shall 
have the degree and a coronal of gold, 
beset with stones of virtue to the value 
of a thousand pound, and a white jer- 
falcon. 

So dame Liones departed and came 
to king Arthur, where she was nobly 
received, and there she was sore ques- 
tioned of the king, and of the queen 
of Orkney. And she answered, where 
Sir Gareth was she could not tell. 
But thus much she said unto Arthur; 
Sir, I will let cry a tournament, that 
shall be done before my castle at the 
Assumption of our Lady, and the cry 
shall be this, that you my lord Arthur 
shall be there and your knights, and I 
will purvey that my knights shall be 
against yours : and then I am sure ye 
shall hear of Sir Gareth. This is well 
advised, said king Arthur : and so she 
departed. And the king and she made 
great provision for that tournament. 
When dame Liones was come to the 
Isle of Avilion, that was the same 
isle thert as her brother Sir Gringa- 
more dwelt, then she told him all how 



she had done, and what promise she 
had made to king Arthur. Alas, said 
Sir Gareth, I have been so wounded by 
mishap siihen I came into this castle, 
that 1 shall not be able to do at that 
tournament like a knight, for I was 
never thoroughly whole since I was 
hurt. Be ye of good cheer, said the 
damsel Linet, for I undertake within 
these fifteen days for to make you 
whole, and as lusty as ever ye were. 
And then she laid an ointment and a 
salve to him as it pleased her, that he 
was never so fresh nor so lusty. Then 
said the damsel Linet: Send you unto 
Sir Persant of Inde, and summon him 
and his knights to be here with you as 
they have promised. Also, that ye 
send unto Sir Ironside, that is the red 
knight of the red lawns, and charge him 
that he be ready with you with his 
whole sum of knights, and then shall 
ye be able to match with king Arthur 
and his knights. So this was done, and 
all knights were sent for unto the castle 
perilous. And then the red knight 
answered and said unto dame Liones, 
and to Sir Gareth, Madam, and my 
lord Sir Gareth, ye shall understand 
that I have been at the court of king 
Arthur, and Sir Persant of Inde and his 
brethren, and there we have done our 
homage as ye commanded us. Also, 
Sir Ironside said, I have taken upon 
me with Sir Persant of Inde and his 
brethren to hold party against my lord 
Sir Launcelot and the knights of that 
court. And this have I done for the 
love of my lady dame Liones, and you 
my lord Sir Gareth. Ye have well 
done, said Sir Gareth. But wit you well 
ye shall be full sore matched with the 
most noble knights of the world, there- 
fore we must purvey us of good knights, 
where we may get them. That is well 
said, said Sir Persant, and worshipfuUy. 
And so the cry was made in England, 
Wales, and Scotland, Ireland, and Corn- 
wall, and in all the out isles, and in 
Britany, and in many countries; that 
at the feast of the Assumption of our 
Lady next coming, men should come to 
the castle perilous, beside the Isle of 



'52 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Avilion, and there all the knights that 
there came should have the choice 
whether them list to be on the one party 
with the knights of the castle, or on the 
other party with king Arthur. And two 
months was to the day that the tourna- 
ment should be. And so there came 
many good knights that were at large, 
and held them for the most part against 
king Arthur and his knights of the 
Round Table, and came on the side of 
them of the castle. For Sir Epinogrus 
was the first, and he was the king's son 
of Northumberland, and Sir Palamides 
the Saracen was another, and Sir Safere 
his brother, and Sir Sagwarides his 
brother, but they were christened, and 
Sir Malegrine another, and Sir Brian de 
les Isles, a noble knight, and Sir Grum- 
more Gummursum, a good knight of 
Scotland, and Sir Carados of the dolor- 
ous tower, a noble knight, and Sir Tur- 
quin his brother, and Sir Arnold and 
Sir Gauter, two brethren, good knights 
of Cornwall : there came Sir Tristram 
de Liones, and with him Sir Dinadan 
the seneschal and Sir Sadok ; but this 
Sir Tristram was not at that time 
knight of the Table Round, but he was 
one of the best knights of the world. 
And so all these noble knights accom- 
panied them with the lady of the castle, 
and with the red knight of the red 
lawns, but as for Sir Gareth, he would 
not take upon him more but as other 
mean knights. 

CHAP. XXVII. 

How king Arthur went to the tournament 
with his knights, and how the lady re- 
ceived him worshipfully, and how the 
knights encountered. 

And then there came with king Ar- 
thur Sir Gawaine, Agravaine and Gahe- 
ris, his brethren. And then his nephews 
Sir Uwaine le Blanchemains, and Sir 
Aglovale, Sir Tor, Sir Percivale de 
Galis, and Sir Lamorak de Galis. 
Then came Sir Launcelot du Lake with 
his brethren, nephews, and cousins, as 
Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors 
de Ganis, and Sir Galihodin, Sir Galihud, 



and many more of Sir Launcelot's blood ; 
and Sir Dinadan, Sir La Cote Male 
Taile his brother, a good knight, and 
Sir Sagramore, a good knight ; and all 
the most part of the Round Table. 
Also there came with king Arthur these 
knights, the king of Ireland, king Agwi- 
saunce, and the king of Scotland, king 
Carados, and king Uriens of the land 
of Gore, and king Bagdemagus, and his 
son Sir Meliaganus, and Sir Galahault 
the noble prince. All these kings, 
princes, earls, barons, and other noble 
knights, as Sir Brandiles, Sir Uwaine 
les Avoutres, and Sir Kay, Sir Bedivere, 
Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir Petipase of 
Winchelsea, Sir Godelake. All these 
came with king Arthur, and many more 
that cannot be rehearsed. 

Now leave we of these kings and 
knights, and let us speak of the great 
array that was made within the castle and 
about the castle for both parties. The 
lady dame Liones ordained great array 
upon her part for her noble knights, for 
all manner of lodging and victual that 
came by land and by water, that there 
lacked nothing for her party, nor for 
the other, but there was plenty to be 
had for gold and silver for king Arthur 
and his knights. And then there came 
the harbingers from king Arthur, for to 
harbour him and his kings, dukes, earls, 
barons, and knights. And then Sir 
Gareth prayed dame Liones, and the red 
knight of the red lawns, and Sir Persant 
and his brother, and Sir Gringamore, 
that in no wise there should none of 
them tell his name, and make no more 
of him than of the least knight that 
ttere was; for he said, I will not be 
known of neither more nor less, neither 
at the beginning neither at the ending. 

Then dame Liones said unto Sir 
Gareth, Sir, I will lend you a ring, but 
I would pray you as ye love me heartily 
let me have it again when the tour- 
nament is done, for that ring increaseth 
my beauty much more than it is of itself. 
And the virtue of my ring is that that is 
green it will turn to red, and that is red 
it will turn in likeness to green, and that 
is blue it will turn to likeness of white, 



CHAP. XXVIII. 



OF DAME LIONES' TOURNAMENT, 



J53 



and that is white it will turn in likeness 
to blue, and so it will do of all manner 
of colours. Also, who that beareth my 
ring shall lose no blood, and for great 
love I will give you this ring. Gra- 
mercy, said Sir Garelh, mine own lady, 
for this ring is passing meet for me, for 
it will turn all manner of likeness that I 
am in, and that shall cause me that I 
shall not be known. Then Sir Gringa- 
more gave Sir Gareth a bay courser that 
was a passing good horse : also he gave 
him good armour and sure, and a noble 
sword that some time Sir Gringamore's 
father won upon an heathen tyrant. 
And so thus every knight made him 
ready to that tournament. And king 
Arthur was come two days tofore the 
Assumption of our Lady. And there was 
all manner of royalty of all minstrelsy 
that might be found. Also there came 
queen Guenever, and the queen of Ork- 
ney, Sir Gareth's mother. And upon 
the Assumption day, when mass and 
matins was done, there were heralds 
with trumpets commanded to blow to 
the field. And so there came out Sir 
Epinogrus, the king's son of Northum- 
berland, from the castle, and there en- 
countered with him Sir Sagramore le 
Desirous, and either of them brake their 
spears to their hands. And then came 
in Sir Palamides out of the castle, and 
there encountered with him Gawaine, 
and either of them smote other so hard 
that both the good knights and their 
horses fell to the earth. And then 
knights of either party rescued their 
knights. And then came in Sir Sa- 
fere and Sir Sagwarides, brethren unto 
Sir Palamides, and there encountered 
Sir Agravaine with Sir Safere, and Sir 
Gaheris encountered with Sir Sag- 
warides. So Sir Safere smote down 
Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, and 
Sir Segwarides, Sir Safere's brother, 
smote down Sir Gaheris. And Sir 
Malgrine, a knight of the castle, en- 
countered with Sir Uwaine le Blanche- 
mains, and there Sir Uwaine gave Sir 
Malgrine a fall, that he had almost 
broken his neck. 



CHAP. XXVIII. 

Hoio the knights bare them in battle. 

Then Sir Brian de les Isles, and Grum- 
moreGrummorsum, knights of the castle, 
encountered with Sir Aglovale and Sir 
Tor, and Sir Tor smote down Sir Grum- 
more Grummorsum to the earth. Then 
came in Sir Carados of the dolorous 
tower, and Sir Turquine, knights of the 
castle, and there encountered with them 
Sir Percivale de Galis and Sir Lamorak 
de Galis, that were two brethren, and 
there encountered Sir Percivale with Sir 
Carados, and either brake their spears 
unto their hands, and then Sir Turquine 
with Sir Lamorak, and either of them 
smote down other, horse and all, to the 
earth, and either parties rescued other 
and horsed them again. And Sir Arnold, 
and Sir Gauter, knights of the castle, 
encountered with Sir Brandiles and Sir 
Kay, and these four knights encountered 
mightily, and brake their spears to their 
hands. Then came in Sir Tristram, and 
Sir Saduk, and Sir Dinas, knights of the 
castle, and there encountered Sir Tris- 
tram with Sir Bedivere, and there Sir 
Bedivere was smitten to the earth, both 
horse and man : and Sir Saduk encoun- 
tered with Sir Petipase, and there Sir 
Saduk was overthrown. And there 
Uwaine les Avoutres smote down Sir 
Dinas the seneschal. Then came in Sir 
Persant of Inde, a knight of the castle, 
and there encountered with him Sir 
Launcelot du Lake, and there he smote 
Sir Persant, horse and man, to the 
earth. Then came Sir Pertolope from 
the castle, and there encountered with 
him Sir Lionel, and there Sir Pertolope 
the green knight smote down Sir Lionel, 
brother to Sir Launcelot. All this was 
marked by noble heralds, who bare him 
best, and their names. And then came 
into the field Sir Perimones the red 
knight. Sir Persant's brother, that was 
a knight of the castle, and he encoun- 
tered with Sir Ector de Maris, and either 
smote other so hard that both their 
horses and they fell to the earth. And 
then came in the red knight of the red 
lawns, and Sir Gareth, from the castle, 



154 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK vn. 



and there encountered with them Sir 
Bors de Ganis and Sir Bleoberis, and 
there the red knight and Sir Bors smote 
other so hard that their spears brast, 
and their horses fell groveling to the 
earth. Then Sir Bleoberis brake his 
spear upon Sir Gareth, but of that 
stroke Sir Bleoberis fell to the earth. 
When Sir Galihodin saw that, he bad 
Sir Gareth keep him, and Sir Gareth 
smote him to the earth. Then Sir 
Galihud gat a spear to avenge his 
brother, and in the same wise Sir 
Gareth served him, and Sir Dinadan 
and his brother La Cote Male Taile, 
and Sir Sagramor le Desirous, and Sir 
Dodinas le Savage; all these he bare 
down with one spear. When king Ag- 
wisance of Ireland saw Sir Gareth fare 
so he marvelled what he might be, that 
one time seemed green, and another 
time, at his again coming, he seemed 
blue. And thus at every course that he 
rode to and fro he changed his colour, 
so that there might neither king nor 
knight have ready cognisance of him. 
Then Sir Agwisance the king of Ireland 
encountered with Sir Gareth, and there 
Sir Gareth smote him from his horse, 
saddle and all. And then came king 
Carados of Scotland, and Sir Gareth 
smote him down, horse and man. And 
in the same wise he served king Uriens 
of the land of Gore. And then there 
came in Sir Bagdemagus, and Sir Gareth 
smote him down horse and man to the 
earth. And Bagdemagus's son Meliga- 
nus brake a spear upon Sir Gareth 
mightily and knightly. And then Sir 
Galahault the noble prince cried on 
high. Knight with the many colours, 
well hast thou justed; now make thee 
ready that I may just with thee. Sir 
Gareth heard him, and he gat a great 
spear, and so they encountered together, 
and there the prince brake his spear : but 
Sir Gareth smote him upon the left side 
of the helm, that he reeled here and 
there, and he had fallen down had not 
his men recovered him. Truly, said 
king Arthur, that knight with the many 
colours is a good knight. Wherefore 
the king called unto him Sir Launcelot, 



and prayed hnn to encounter with that 
knight. Sir, said Launcelot, I may well 
find in my heart for to forbear him as at 
this time, for he hath had travail enough 
this day, and when a good knight doth 
so well upon some day, it is no good 
knight's part to let him of his worship, 
and, namely, when he seeth a knight 
hath done so great labour : for perad- 
venture, said Sir Launcelot, his quarrel 
is here this day, and peradventure he is 
best beloved with this lady of all that 
be here, for I see well he paineth him- 
self and enforceth him to do great deeds, 
and therefore, said Sir Launcelot, as for 
me, this day he shall have the honour ; 
though it lay in my power to put him 
from it, I would not. 

CHAP. XXIX. 

Yet of the said Tournament. 

Then when this was done, there 
was drawing of swords; and then 
there began a sore tournament. And 
there did Sir Lamorak marvellous 
deeds of arms, and betwixt Sir Lamo- 
rak and Sir Ironside, that was the red 
knight of the red lawns, there was a 
strong battle, and betwixt Sir Palamides 
and Bleoberis was a strong battle ; and 
Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram met, and 
there Sir Gawaine had the worst, for 
he pulled Sir Gawaine from his horse, 
and there he was long upon foot and 
defouled. Then came in Sir Launcelot, 
and he smote Sir Turquine, and he him, 
and then came Sir Carados his brother, 
and both at once they assailed him, and 
he, as the most noblest knight of the 
world, worshipfully fought with them 
both, that all men wondered of the 
nobleness of Sir Launcelot. And then 
came in Sir Gareth and knew that it 
was Sir Launcelot that fought with 
those two perilous knights. And then 
Sir Gareth came with his good horse 
and hurtled them in sunder, and no 
stroke would he smite to Sir Launcelot. 
That espied Sir Launcelot, and deemed 
it should be the good knight Sir Gareth ; 
and then Sir Gareth rode here and there, 
and smote on the right hand and on the 



CHAP. XXX. 



HOW SIR GARETH WAS KNOWN. 



155 



left hand, that all the folk might well 
espy where that he rode. And by fortune 
ihe met with his brother Sir Gawaine, 
iand there he put Sir Gawaine to the 
worse, for he put off his helm ; and so 
he served five or six knights of the 
Round Table, that all men said he put 
him in the most pain, and best he did 
his devoir. For when Sir Tristram be- 
held him how he first justed and after 
fought so well with a sword, then he 
rode unto Sir Ironside and to Sir Per- 
sant of Inde, and asked them by their 
faith. What manner a knight is yonder 
knight that seemeth in so many divers 
colours ; truly, me seemeth, said Tris- 
tram, that he putteth himself in great 
pain, for he never ceaseth. Wot ye not 
what he is? said Sir Ironside. No, 
said Sir Tristram. Then shall ye know 
that this is he that loveth the lady of 
the castle, and she him again ; and this 
is he that won me when I besieged the 
lady of this castle, and this is he that 
won Sir Persant of Inde and his three 
brethren. What is his name, said Sir 
Tristram, and of what blood is he 
come? He was called in the court of 
king Arthur Beaumains, but his name is 
Sir Gareth of Orkney, brother to Sir 
Gawaine. By my head, said Sir Tris- 
tram, he is a good knight, and a big 
man of arms, and if he be young he 
shall prove a full noble knight. lie is 
but a child, they all said; and of Sir 
Launcelot he was made knight. There- 
fore he is mickle the better, said Tris- 
tram. And then Sir Tristram, Sir Iron- 
side, Sir Persant, and his brother, rode 
together for to help Sir Gareth, and 
then there were given many strong 
strokes. And then Sir Gareth rode out 
on the one side to amend his helm. 
And then said his dwarf. Take me your 
ring, that ye lose it not while that ye 
drink. And so when he had drunk, he 
gat on his helm, and eagerly took his 
horse and rode into the field, and left 
his ring with his dwarf, and the dwarf 
was glad the ring was from him, for 
then he wist well he should be known. 
And then when Sir Gareth was in 
the field, all folks saw him well and 



plainly that he was in yellow colours, 
and there he rashed off helms, and 
pulled down knights, that king Arthur 
had marvel what knight he was, for the 
king saw by his hair that it was the same 
knight. 

CHAP. XXX. 

How Sir Gareth was espied by the heralds, 
and how he escaped oxit of the field. 

But before he was in so many colours, 
and now he is but in one colour, that is 
yellow : now go, said king Arthur unto 
divers heralds, and ride about him, and 
espy what manner knight he is, for I 
have asked of many knights this day 
that be upon his party, and all say they 
know him not. And so an herald rode 
nigh Gareth as he could, and there 
he saw written about his helm in gold, 
This helm is Sir Gareth's of Orkney. 
Then the herald cried as he were wood, 
and many heralds with him, This is Sir 
Gareth of Orkney, in the yellow arms, 
that all kings and knights of Arthur's 
beheld him and awaited, and then they 
pressed all to behold him : and ever 
the heralds cried, This is Sir Gareth of 
Orkney, king Lot's son. • And when Sir 
Gareth espied that he was discovered, 
then he doubled his strokes, and smote 
down Sir Sagramore, and his brother 
Sir Gawaine. O brother, said Sir Ga- 
waine, I wend ye would not have stricken 
me. So when he heard him say so, he 
thrang here and there, and so with great 
pain he gat out of the press, and there 
he met with his dwarf. O boy, said Sir 
Gareth, thou hast beguiled me foul 
this day that thou kept my ring. Give 
it me anon again, that I may hide my 
body withal ; and so he took it him. 
And then they all wist not where he 
was become ; and Sir Gawaine had in 
manner espied where Sir Gareth rode, 
and then he rode after with all his 
might. That espied Sir Gareth, and 
rode lightly into the forest, that Sir Ga- 
waine wist not where he was become. 
And when Sir Gareth wist that Sir Ga- 
waine was past, he asked the dwarf of 
best counsel. Sir, said the dwarf, me 
seemeth it were best, now that ye are 



156 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



escaped from spying, that ye send my 
lady dame Liones her ring. It is well 
advised, said Sir Gareth; now have it 
here, and bear it to her, and say that I 
recommend me unto her good grace, 
and say her I will come when I may, 
and I pray her to be true and faithful 
to me, as I will be to her. Sir, said the 
dwarf, it shall be done as ye command : 
and so he rode his way, and did his 
errand unto the lady. Then she said, 
Where is my knight Sir Gareth ? Ma- 
dam, said the dwarf, he bad me say that 
he would not be long from you. And 
so lightly the dwarf came again unto 
Sir Gareth, that would fain have had 
a lodging, for he had need to be re- 
posed. And then fell there a thunder 
and a rain, as heaven and earth should 
go together. And Sir Gareth was not 
a little weary, for of all that day he had 
but little rest, neither his horse nor he. 
So this Sir Gareth rode so long in that 
forest until the night came. And ever 
it lightened and thundered, as it had 
been wood. At the last by fortune he 
came to a castle, and there he heard the 
waits upon the walls. 

CHAP. XXXI. 
How Sir Gareth came to a castle where he 
was luell lodged, and how he justed with 
a knight and he slew him. 

Then Sir Gareth rode unto the bar- 
bican of the castle, and prayed the 
porter fair to let him into the castle. 
The porter answered ungoodly again, 
and said, Thou gettest no lodging here. 
Fair sir, say not so, for I am a knight 
of king Arthur's, and pray the lord or 
the lady of this castle to give me har- 
bour for the love of king Arthur. Then 
the porter went unto the duchess, and 
told her how there was a knight of king 
Arthur's would have harbour. Let him 
in, said the duchess, for I will see that 
knight, and for king Arthur's sake he 
shall not be harbourless. Then she went 
up into a tower over the gate, with great 
torch light. When Sir Gareth saw that 
torch light, he cried on high. Whether 
thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, 



I take no force, so that I may have har- 
bour this night, and if it be so that I 
must needs fight, spare me not to mom 
when I have rested me, for both I and 
my horse be weary. Sir knight, said 
the lady, thou speakest knightly and 
boldly, but wit thou well that the lord 
of this castle loveth not king Arthur, 
nor none of his court, for my lord hath 
ever been against him, and therefore 
thou were better not to come within 
this castle. For and thou come in this 
night, thou must come in under such 
form, that wheresoever thou meet my 
lord, by lane, or by street, thou must 
yield thee to him as prisoner. Madam, 
said Sir Gareth, what is your lord, and 
what is his name ? Sir, my lord's name 
is the duke de la Rowse. Well, madam, 
said Sir Gareth, I shall promise you in . 
what place I meet your lord, I shall yield 
me unto him and to his good grace, { 
with that I vmderstand he will do me no i 
harm : and if I understand that he will, 
will I release myself and I can with my 
spear and with my sword. Ye say well, 
said the duchess, and then she let the 
draw-bridge down. And so he rode 
into the hall, and there he alight, and 
his horse was led into a stable, and in 
the hall he unarmed him and said. 
Madam, I will not out of this hall this 
night ; and when it is day-light let see 
who will have ado with me, he shall 
find me ready. Then was he set unto 
supper, and had many good dishes. 
Then Sir Gareth list well to eat, and 
knightly he ate his meat, and eagerly ; 
there was many a fair lady by him, and 
some of them said they never saw a 
goodlier man, nor so well of eating. 
Then they made him passing good 
cheer. And shortly when he ha"d sup- 
ped, his bed was made there; so he 
rested him all night. And on the morn 
he heard mass, and broke his fast, and 
took his leave at the duchess, and at 
them all, and thanked her goodly of 
her lodging, and of his good cheer. 
And then she asked him his name. 
Madam, said he, truly, my name is 
Gareth of Orkney, and some men call 
me Beaumains. Then knew she well it 



CHAP. XXXII. GARETH SLAVS THE KNIGHT WITHOUT PITY. 



t57 



was the same knight that fought for 
dame Liones. So Sir Gareth departed, 
and rode up into a mountain, and there 
met him a knight, his name was Sir 
Bendelaine, and said to Sir Gareth, 
Thou shalt not pass this way, for either 
thou shalt just with me, or be my pri- 
soner. Then will I just, said Sir Gareth. 
And so they let their horses run, and 
there Sir Gareth smote him throughout 
the body, and Sir Bendelaine rode forth 
to his castle there beside, and there died. 
So Sir Gareth would have rested him, 
and he came riding to Bendelaine's 
castle. Then his knights and his ser- 
vants espied that it was he that had 
slain their lord. Then they armed 
twenty good men, and came out and 
assailed Sir Gareth, and so he had 
no spear, but his sword, and put his 
shield afore him, and there they brake 
their spears upon him, and they assailed 
him passingly sore. But ever Sir Gareth 
defended him as a knight. 

CHAP. XXXII. 

How Sir Gareth fought with a knight that 
held within his castle thirty ladies, and 
how he slew him. 

So when they saw that they might 
not overcome him, they rode from him 
and took their counsel to slay his horse, 
and so they came in upon Sir Gareth, 
and with spears they slew his horse, 
and then they assailed him hard. But 
when he was on foot there was none 
that he fought but he gave him such a 
buffet that he did never recover. So he 
slew them by one and one till they were 
but four, and there they fled, and Sir 
Gareth took a good horse that was one 
of theirs, and rode his way. Then he 
rode a great pace till that he came to a 
castle, and there he heard much mourn- 
ing of ladies and gentlewomen. So 
there ca'me by him a page : What noise 
is this, said Sir Gareth, that I hear 
within this castle ? Sir knight, said the 
page, here be within this castle thirty 
ladies, and all they be widows, for here 
is a knight that waiteth daily upon this 
castle, and his name is the brown knight 



without pity, and he is the most perilous 
knight that now liveth. And, therefore, 
sir, said the page, I rede you flee. Nay, 
said Sir Gareth, I will not flee, though 
thou be afeard of him. And then the 
page saw where came the brown knight. 
Lo, said the page, yonder he cometh. 
Let me deal with him, said Sir Gareth. 
And when either of other had a sight, 
they let their horses run, and the brown 
knight brake his spear, and Sir Gareth 
smote him throughout the body, that 
he overthrew him to the ground stark 
dead. So Sir Gareth rode into the 
castle, and prayed the ladies that he 
might repose him. Alas, said the ladies, 
ye may not be lodged here. Make him 
good cheer, said the page, for this knight 
hath slain your enemy. Then they all 
made him good cheer as lay in their 
power. But wit ye well tTiey made him 
good cheer, for they might none other- 
wise do, for they were but poor. And 
so- on the morn he went to mass, and 
there he saw the thirty ladies kneel, and 
lay groveling upon divers tombs, making 
great dole and sorrow. Then Sir Gareth 
wist well that in the tombs lay their 
lords. Fair ladies, said Sir Gareth, ye 
must at the next feast of Pentecost be 
at the court of king Arthur, and say 
that I Sir Gareth sent you thither. We 
shall do this, said the ladies. So he 
departed, and by fortune he came to a 
mountain, and there he found a goodly 
knight that bad him. Abide Sir knight, 
and just with me. What are ye ? said 
Sir Gareth. My name is, said he, the 
duke de la Rowse. Ah ! Sir, ye are the 
same knight that I lodged once in your 
castle, and there I made promise unto 
your lady that I should yield me unto 
you. Ah ! said the duke, art thou that 
proud knight that proffered to fight with 
my knights ? therefore make thee ready, 
for I will have ado with thee. So they 
let their horses run, and there Sir Gareth 
smote the duke down from his horse. 
But the duke lightly avoided his horse, 
and dressed his shield, and drew his 
sword, and bad Sir Gareth alight and 
fight with him. So he did alight, and 
they did great battle together more than 



58 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



an hour, and either hurt other full sore. 
At the last Sir Gareth gat the duke to 
the earth, and would have slain him, and 
then he yielded him to him. Then must 
ye go, said Sir Gareth, unto Sir Arthur 
my lord at the next feast, and say that 
I Sir Garelh of Orkney sent you unto 
him. It shall be done, said the duke, 
and I will do to you homage and fealty 
with an hundred knights with me, and 
all the days of my life to do you service 
where ye will command me. 

CHAP. XXXIII. 

How Sir Gawaine atid Sir Gareth fought 
each against other, and how they knew 
each other by the damsel Linet. 

So the duke departed, and Sir Gareth 
stood there alone, and there he saw an 
armed knight coming toward him. Then 
Sir Gareth took the duke's shield and 
mounted upon horseback, and so with- 
out bidding they ran together as it had 
been the thunder. And there that 
knight hurt Sir Gareth under the side 
with his spear. ■ And then they alight 
and drew their swords, and gave great 
strokes, that the blood trailed to the 
ground. And so they fought two hours. 
At the last there came the damsel Linet, 
that some men call the damsel Savage, 
and she came riding upon an ambling 
mule, and there she cried all on high. 
Sir Gawaine, Sir Gawaine, leave thy 
fighting with thy brother Sir Gareth. 
And when he heard her say so he threw 
away his shield and his sword, and ran 
to Sir Gareth and took him in his arms, 
and then kneeled down and asked him 
mercy. What are ye, said Sir Gareth, 
that right now were so strong and so 
mighty, and now so suddenly yield you 
to me? O Gareth, I am your brother 
Sir Gawaine, that for your sake have 
had great sorrow and labour. Then Sir 
Gareth unlaced his helm, and kneeled 
down to him and asked him mercy. 
Then they rose both, and embraced 
either other in their arms, and wept a 
great while or they might speak, and 
either of them gave other the prize of 
the battle. And there were many kind 



words between them. Alas, my fair 
brother, said Sir Gawaine, perdy I 
ought of right to worship you and ye 
were not my brother, for ye have wor- 
shipped king Arthur and all his court, 
for ye have sent him more worshipful 
knights this twelvemonth than six the 
best of the Round Table have done, ex-] 
cept Sir Launcelot. Then came thd 
damsel Savage, that was the lady Linet; 
that rode with Sir Gareth so long,, 
and there she did stanch Sir Gareth's; 
wounds and Sir Gawaine's. Now what 
will ye do ? said the damsel Savage ; 
me seemeth it were well done that 
Arthur had tidings of you both, for 
your horses are so bruised that they 
may not bear. Now, fair damsel, said 
Sir Gawaine, I pray you ride unto 
my lord, mine uncle king Arthur, and 
tell him what adventure is to me betid 
here, and I suppose he will not tarry 
long. Then she took her mule, and 
lightly she came to king Arthur that was 
but two miles thence, and when she 
had told him the tidings, the king bad 
get him a palfrey. And when he was 
upon his back he bad the lords and 
ladies come after who that would : and 
there was saddling and bridling of queens' 
horses, and princes' horses, and well was 
him that soonest might be ready. So 
when the king came there as they were, 
he saw Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth sit 
upon a little hill side, and then the king 
avoided his horse. And when he came 
nigh Sir Gareth he would have spoken 
but he might not, and therewith he sank 
down in a swoon for gladness. And so 
they start unto their uncle, and required 
him of his good grace to be of good 
comfort. Wit ye well the king made 
great joy, and many a piteous complaint 
he made unto Sir Gareth, and ever he 
wept as he had been a child. With 
that came his mother the queen of Ork- 
ney, dame Morgause, and when she saw 
Sir Gareth readily in the visage, she 
might not weep, but suddenly fell down 
in a swoon, and lay there a great while 
like as she had been dead. And then 
Sir Gareth recomforted his mother in 
such a wise that she recovered, and 



CHAP. XXXIV. 



OF THE WEDDING OF GARETH. 



159 



made good cheer. Then the king com- 
manded that all manner of knights that 
were under his obeisance should make 
their lodging right there for the Iqve of 
his nephews. And so it was done, and 
all manner of purveyance purveyed that 
there lacked nothing that might be 
gotten of tame nor wild for gold or 
silver. And then by the means of the 
damsel Savage Sir Gawaine and Sir 
Gareth were healed of their wounds, 
and there they sojourned eight days. 
Then said king Arthur unto the damsel 
Savage, I marvel that your sister dame 
Liones cometh not here to me, and in 
especial that she cometh not to visit her 
knight, my nephew Sir Gareth, that 
hath had so much travail for her love. 
My lord, said the damsel Linet, ye must 
of your good grace hold her excused, 
for she knoweth not that my lord Sir 
Gareth is here. Go then for her, said 
king Arthur, that we may be appointed 
what is best to be done, according unto 
the pleasure of my nephew. Sir, said 
the damsel, that shall be done, and so 
she rode unto her sister. And as lightly 
as she might she made her ready, 
and she came on the morn with her 
brother Sir Gringamore, and with her 
forty knights. And so when she was 
come, she had all the cheer that might 
be done, both of the king and of many 
other kings and queens. 

CHAP. XXXIV. 

How Sir Gareth achiowledged that they 
loved each other to Mng Arthur, and of 
the appointmetit of their ivedding. 

And among all these ladies she was 
named the fairest and peerless. Then 
when Sir Gareth saw her, there was 
many a goodly look and goodly words, 
that all men of worship had joy to be- 
hold them. Then came king Arthur and 
many other kings, and dame Guenever 
and the queen of Orkney. And there 
the king asked his nephew Sir Gareth 
whether he would have that lady to his 
wife ? My lord, wit you well that I love 
her above all ladies living. Now, fair 
lady, said king Arthur, what say ye? 



Most noble king, said dame Liones, wit 
you well that my lord Sir Gareth is to 
me more lever to have and hold as my 
husband, than any king or prince that 
is christened, and if I may not have him 
I promise you I will never have none. 
For, my lord Arthur, said dame Liones, 
wit ye well he is my first love, and he 
shall be the last : and if ye will suffer 
him to have his will and free choice, I 
dare say he will have me. That is 
truth, said Sir Gareth, and I have not 
you and hold not you as my wife, there 
shall never lady nor gentlewoman re- 
joice me. What nephew, said the king, 
is the wind in that door ! for wit ye 
well I would not for the stint of my 
crown to be causer to withdraw your 
hearts, and wit ye well ye cannot love 
so well but I shall rather increase it 
than distress it. And also ye shall have 
my love and my lordship in the utter- 
most wise that may lie in my power. 
And in the same wise said Sir Gareth's 
mother. Then was there made a pro- 
vision for the day of marriage, and by 
the king's advice it was provided that it 
should be at Michaelmas following, at 
Kinkenadon by the sea-side, for there is 
a plentiful country. And so it was cried 
in all the places through the realm. And 
then Sir Gareth sent his summons unto 
all these knights and ladies that he had 
won in battle tofore, that they should 
be at his day of marriage at Kinkenadon 
by the sands. And then dame Liones 
and the damsel Linet, with Sir Gringa- 
more, rode to their castle, and a goodly 
and a rich ring she gave to Sir Gareth, 
and he gave her another. And king 
Arthur gave her a rich bee of gold, and 
so she departed. And king Arthur and 
his fellowship rode toward Kinkenadon, 
and Sir Gareth brought his lady on the 
way, and so came to the king again and 
rode with him. Oh the great cheer that 
Sir Launcelot made of Sir Gareth and 
he of him : for there was never no 
knight that Sir Gareth loved so well 
as he did Sir Launcelot, and ever for the 
most part he would be in Sir Launce- 
lot's company : for after Sir Gareth had 
espied Sir Gawaine's conditions, he 



[6o 



MORTE I) ARTHUR. 



BOOK VII. 



withdrew himself from his brother Sir 
Gawaine's fellowship, for he was venge- 
able, and where he hated he would be 
avenged with murder, and that hated Sir 
Gareth. 

CHAR XXXV. 
Of the great royalty, and what officers 

were made at the feast of the wedding, 

and of the justs at the feast. 

So it drew fast to Michaelmas, and 
thither came dame Liones the lady of 
the castle perilous and her sister dame 
Linet, with Sir Gringamore their brother 
with them : for he had the conduct of 
these ladies. And there they were lodged 
at the devise of king Arthur. And upon 
Michaelmas-day the bishop of Canter- 
bury made the wedding betwixt Sir 
Gareth and the lady Liones with great 
solemnity. And king Arthur made 
Gaheris to wed the damsel Savage, 
that was dame Linet ; and king Arthur 
made Sir Agravaine to wed dame 
Liones' niece, a fair lady, her name was 
dame Laurel. And so when this solem- 
nization was done, then there came in 
the green knight Sir Pertolope with 
thirty knights, and there he did homage 
and fealty unto Sir Gareth, and these 
knights to hold of him for evermore. 
Also Sir Pertolope said, I pray you that 
at this feast I may be your chamberlain. 
With a good will, said Sir Gareth, sith 
it liketh you to take so simple an office. 
Then came in the red knight with 
threescore knights with him, and did to 
Sir Gareth homage and fealty, and all 
those knights to hold of him for ever- 
more, and then this Sir Perimones 
prayed Sir Gareth to grant him to be 
his chief butler at that high feast. I 
will well, said Sir Gareth, that ye have 
this office and it were better. Then 
came in Sir Persant of Inde with an 
hundred knights with him, and there he 
did homage and fealty unto Sir Gareth, 
and all his knights should do him ser- 
vice, and hold their lands of him for 
ever ; and there he prayed Sir Gareth 
to make him his sewer chief at the feast. 
I will well, said Sir Gareth, that ye have 
it and it were better. Then came in the 



duke de la Rowse with an hundred 
knights with him, and there he did 
homage and fealty unto Sir Gareth, and 
so to hold their lands of him for ever ; 
and he required Sir Gareth that he 
might serve him of the wine that day at 
the feast. I will well, said Sir Gareth, 
and it were better. Then came in the 
red knight of the red lawns, that was Sir 
Ironside, and he brought with him 
three hundred knights, and there he did 
homage and fealty, and all these knights 
to hold their lands of him for ever, and 
then he asked Sir Gareth to be his car- 
ver. I will well, said Sir Gareth, and 
it please you. Then came into the 
court thirty ladies, and all they seemed 
widows, and those thirty ladies brought 
with them many fair gentlewomen; 
and all they kneeled down at once 
unto king Arthur and to Sir Gareth, 
and there all those ladies told the 
king how Sir Gareth had delivered 
them from the dolorous tower, and 
slew the brown knight without pity; 
and therefore we and our heirs for 
eveimore will do homage unto Sir Ga- 
reth of Orkney. So then the kings and 
queens, princes, earls and barons, and 
many bold knights went unto meat, 
and well may ye wit that there was all 
manner of meat plenteously, all manner 
revels and games, with all manner of 
minstrelsy that was used in those days. 
Also there was great justs three days. 
But the king, would not suffer Sir Gareth 
to just because of his new bride : for as 
the French book saith that dame Liones 
desired the king that none that were 
wedded should just at that feast. So 
the first day there justed Sir Lamorak 
de Galis, for he overthrew thirty knights 
and did passing marvellously deeds of 
ai-ms. And then king Arthur made Sir 
Persant of Inde and his two brethren 
knights of the Round Table, to their 
lives' end, and gave them gi-eat lands. 
Also the second day there justed Tris- 
tram best, and he overthrew forty 
knights, and did there marvellous deeds 
of aims. And there king Arthur made 
Ironside, that was the red knight of 
the red lawns, a -knight of the Table 



OF SIR TRISTRAM. 



i6i 



Round unto his life's end, and gave him 
great lands. The third day there justed 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, and he over- 
threw fifty knights and did many mar- 
vellous deeds of arms, that all men 
wondered on him. And there king 
Arthur made the duke de la Rowse a 
knight of the Round Table to his life's 
end, and gave him great lands to spend. 



But when these justs were done. Sir La- 
morak and Sir Tristram departed sud- 
denly and would not be known, for the 
which king Arthur and all the court 
were sore displeased. And so they held 
the court forty days with great so- 
lemnity. And this Sir Gareth was a 
noble knight, and a well ruled, and fair 
languaged. 



^t)u$ cnDct]^ \\)\^ XuU of ggr GarctJ) of ^vfecncg tljat tocttijU Dame 
Sgonc^ of ll)e cartel jjcrglloug. Qnti al^o 0gr GaJjnig tocDteti \)n 
^g^tcr tiame Hgnet, tljat feajs calkD tj^c Damogscl saucagc* Slnli 
0fir ^grauagne toctit^U Damt Saurcl a fagr laDg, anti grcte anD 
mggj^tg lantic^ toit]^ grcte rgcj^c^^c gafc feit]^ tj[)€m fegng ^ttj^ur, 
tj^at rgallg tj^eg mggfjt Igue tgl \\)m Igucs cntic. 

I^crc folotoftD tjDc but. iboofe X\)t to^c]^ t$ tijc fir^t 5oofe of ,5ir 
^dgtram tic Sgonc^, $j: toj^o toag ]^i^ faticr §r j^is motin, §r Jjou j^e 
toag borne anD fo^tcrgt. ^nt) j^oto l)e toag matie iknggj^te* 



CHAP. I. 

//bii/ Sir Tristram de Liones was born, 
and how his mother died at his birth, 
wherefore she natned him Tristram. 

It was a king that hight Meliodas, 
and he was lord and king of the country 
of Liones, and this king Meliodas was 
a likely knight as any was that time 
living. And by fortune he wedded king 
Mark's sister of Cornwall ; and she was 
called Elizabeth, that was called both 
good and fair. And at that time king 
Arthur reigned, and he was whole king 
of England, Wales, and Scotland, and 
of many other realms: howbeit there 
were many kings that were lords of 
many countries, but all they held their 
lands of king Arthur. For in Wales 
were two kings, and in the north were 
many kings; and in Cornwall and in 
the west were two kings; also in Ire- 



land were two or three kings; and all 
were under the obeisance of king 
Arthur. So was the king of France, . 
and the king of Britany, and all the 
lordships unto Rome. And the wife of 
this king Meliodas was a full meek 
lady, and w^ell she loved her lord, and 
he her again, and the time came that 
she should bear a child, so there was 
great joy betwixt them. Then was 
there a lady in that country that had 
loved king Meliodas long, and by no 
mean she never could get his love, 
therefore she let ordain upon a day, 
as king Meliodas rode on hunting, 
for he was a great chaser, and there by 
an enchantment she made him chase an 
hart by himself alone till that he came 
to an old castle, and there anon he was 
taken prisoner by the lady that him 
loved. When Elizabeth king Meliodas 
missed, her lord, she was nigh out of 
her wat, and she took a gentlewoman 



a 



l62 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



with her, and ran into the forest to 
seek her lord. 

And when she was far in the forest 
she might no farther, for she began to 
travail fast of her child. And she had 
many grimly throws, and her gentle- 
woman holp her all that she might, and 
so by miracle of our Lady of heaven she 
was delivered with great pains. But 
she had taken such cold for the default 
of help that deep draughts of death 
took her, that needs she must die and 
depart out of this world, there was none 
other boot. And when this queen Eliza- 
beth saw that there was none other 
boot, then she made great dole, and 
said unto her gentlewoman, When ye 
see my lord king Meliodas recommend 
me unto him, and tell him what pains I 
endure here for his love, and how I must 
die here for his sake, for default of good 
help, and let him wit that I am full 
sorry to depart out of this world from 
him, therefore pray him to be friend to 
my soul. Now let me see my little 
child for whom I have had all this 
sorrow. Aud when she saw him she 
said thus : Ah my little son, thou hast 
murdered thy mother, and therefore I 
suppose, thou that art a murderer so 
young, thou art full likely to be a manly 
man in thine age. And because I shall 
die of the birth of thee, I charge thee, 
gentlewoman, that thou beseech my 
lord king Meliodas, that when he is 
christened let call him Tristram, that is 
as much to say as a sorrowful birth. 
And therewith this queen gave up the 
ghost and died. Then the gentlewoman 
laid her under the shadow of a great 
tree, and then she lapped the child as 
well as she might for cold. Right so 
there came the barons, following after 
the queen, and when they saw that she 
was dead, and understood none other 
but the king was destroyed ; 

CHAP. II. 

How the step-mother of Sh- Tristram had 
ordained poison for to have poisoned Sir 
Tristram. 

Then certain of them would have 
slain the child, because they would have 



been lords of the country of Liones, 
But then through the fair speech of the 
gentlewoman, and by the means that 
she made, the most part of the barons 
would not assent thereto. And then 
they let carry home the dead queen, 
and much dole was made for her. 
Then this meanwhile Merlin delivered 
king Meliodas out of prison, on the 
morn after his queen was dead. And 
so when the king was come home, the 
most part of the barons made great joy. 
But the sorrow that the king made for 
his queen that might no tongue tell. 
So then the king let inter her richly. 
And after he let christen his child as 
his wife had commanded afore her 
death. And then he let call him Tris- 
tram, the sorrowful born child. Then 
the king Meliodas endured seven years 
without a wife, and all this time the 
young Tristram was nourished well. 
Then it befel that king Mehodas 
wedded king Howell's daughter of 
Britany, and anon she had children 
of king Meliodas, then was she heavy 
and wroth that her children should not 
enjoy the country of Liones, wherefore 
this queen ordained for to poison young 
Tristram. So she let poison to be put 
into a piece of silver in the chamber 
where as Tristram and her children were 
together, unto that intent that when 
Tristram was thirsty he should drink 
that drink. And so it fell upon a day, 
the queen's son, as he was in that 
chamber, espied the cup with poison, 
and he wend it had been good drink, 
and because the child was thirsty, he 
took the cup with poison and drank 
freely, and therewithall suddenly the 
child brast, and was dead. When the 
queen wist of the death of her son, wit 
ye well that she was heavy. But yet 
thC' king understood nothing of her 
treason. Notwithstanding the queen 
would not leave this, but eft she let 
ordain more poison, and put it in a ' 
cup. And by fortune king Meliodas 
her husband found the cup with wine 
where was tne poison, and he that was 
much thirsty took the cup for to drink 
thereout. And as he would have drunken 



HOW TRISTRAM WAS SENT TO FRANCE. 



163 



thereof, the queen espied him, and then 
she ran unto him and pulled the cup 
from him suddenly. The king mar- 
velled why she did so, and remembered 
him how her son was suddenly slain 
with poison. And then he took her 
by the hand, and said, Thou false 
traitress, thou shalt tell me what man- 
ner of drink this is, or else 1 shall 
slay thee. And therewith he pulled out 
his sword, and swore a great oath that 
he should slay her but if she told him 
truth. Ah mercy my lord, said she, 
and I shall tell you all. And then she 
told him why she would have slain 
Tristram, because her children should 
enjoy his land. Well, said king Melio- 
das, and therefore shall ye have the law. 
And so she was condemned by the 
assent of the barons to be burnt, and 
then was there made a great fire. And 
right as she was at the fire to take her 
execution young Tristram kneeled afore 
king Meliodas, and besought him to 
give him a boon. I will well, said the 
king again. Then said young Tristram, 
Give me the life of thy queen, my step- 
mother. That is unrightfully asked, 
said king Meliodas, for thou ought of 
right to hate her, for she would have 
slain thee with that poison and she 
might have had her will ; and for thy 
sake most is my cause that she should 
die. Sir, said Tristram, as for that, I 
beseech you of your mercy that ye will 
forgive it her, and as for my part God 
forgive it her, and I do, and so much it 
liked your highness to grant me my 
boon for God's love I require you hold 
your promise. Since it is so, said the 
king, I will that ye have her life. Then 
said the king, I gi^-e her to you, and go 
ye to the fire and take her and do with 
her what ye will. So Sir Tristram 
went to the fire, and by the command- 
ment of the king delivered her from the 
death. But after that king Meliodas 
would never have ado with her as at 
bed and board. But by the good means 
of young Tristram he made the king 
and her accorded. But then the king 
would not suffer young Tristram to 
abide no longer in his court. 



CHAP. III. 
How Sir Trlstrarn was seni into France, 
and had one to govern him na7ned 
Gouvernail, a?id how he learned to harp, 
hawk, and hunt. 

And then he let ordain a gentleman 
that was well learned and taught; his 
name was Gouvernail ; and then he sent 
young Tristram with Gouvernail into 
France, to learn the language, and 
nurture, and deeds of arms. And there 
was Tristram more than seven years. 
And then when he well could speak the 
language, and had learned all that he 
might learn in that country, then he 
came home to his father king Meliodas 
again. And so Tristram learned to be 
an harper passing all other, that there 
was none such called in no country, and 
so in harping and on instruments of 
music he applied him in his youth for to 
learn. And after as he growed in 
might and strength he laboured ever in 
hunting and in hawking, so that never 
gentleman more, that ever we heard tell 
of. And as the book saith, he began 
good measures of blowing of beasts of 
venery and beasts of chase, and all man- 
ner of vermains ; and all these terms we 
have yet of hawking and hunting. And 
therefore the book of venery, of hawk- 
ing, and hunting, is called the book of 
Sir Tristram. Wherefore, as me seem- 
eth, all gentlemen that bear old arms 
ought of right to honour Sir Tristram 
for the goodly terms that gentlemen 
have and use, and shall to the day of 
doom, that thereby in a manner all men 
of worship may dissever a gentleman 
from a yeoman, and from a yeoman a 
villain. For he that gentle is will draw 
unto him gentle taches, and to follow 
the customs of noble gentlemen. Thus 
Sir Tristram endured in Cornwall until 
he was big and strong, of the age of 
nineteen years. And then the king 
Meliodas had great joy of Sir Tristram, 
and so had the queen his wife. For 
ever after in her life, because Sir Tris- 
tram saved her from the fire, she did 
never hate him more after, but loved 
him ever after, and gave Tristram many 



164 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



great gifts; for every estate loved him 
wliere that he went. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Marhans came out of Ireland 
for to ask triiage of Cortiwall, or else 
be would fight therefore. 

Then it befel that king Anguish of Ire- 
land sent to king Mark of Cornv^^all for 
his truage, that Cornwall had paid many- 
winters. And all that time king Mark 
was behind of the truage for seven years. 
And king Mark and his barons gave 
imto the messager of Ireland these words 
and answer, that they would none pay ; 
and bad the messager go unto his king 
Anguish, and tell him we will pay him 
no truage, but teil your lord, and he 
will always have truage of us of Corn- 
wall, bid him send a trusty knight of 
his land that will fight for his right, and 
we shall find another for to defend our 
right. With this answer the messagers 
departed into Ireland. And when king 
Anguish understood the answer of the 
messagers, he was wonderly wroth. 
And then he called unto him Sir Mar- 
haus, the good knight, that was nobly 
proved, and a knight of the Table 
Round. And this Sir Marhaus was 
brother unto the queen of Ireland, 
Then the king said thus: Fair brother 
Sir Marhaus, I pray you go into Corn- 
wall for my sake, and do battle for our 
truage that of right we ought to have, 
and whatsoever ye spend ye shall have 
sufficiently more than ye shall need. Sir, 
said Marhaus, wit ye well that I shall 
not be loth to do battle in the right of 
you and your land with the best knight 
of the Table Round, for I know them 
for the most part what be their deeds, 
and for to advance my deeds and to in- 
crease my worship, I will right gladly 
go unto this journey for our right. 

So in all haste there was made pur- 
veyance for Sir Marhaus, and he had all 
things that to him needed, and so he 
departed out of Ireland, and arrived up 
in Cornwall, even fast by the castle of 
Tintagil. And when king Mark under- 
stood that he was there arrived to fight 



for Ireland, then made king Mark great 
sorrow when he understood that the 
good and noble knight Sir Marhaus was 
come. For they knew no knight that 
durst have ado with him. For at that 
time Sir Marhaus was called one of the 
famousest and renowned knights of the 
world. 

And thus Sir Marhaus abode in the 
sea, and every day he sent unto king 
Mark for to pay the truage that was 
behind of seven year, or else to find a 
knight to fight with him for the truage. 
This manner of message Sir Marhaus 
sent daily unto king Mark. Then they 
of Cornwall let make cries in every 
place, that what knight would fight for 
to save the truage of Cornwall he should 
be rewarded so that he should fare the 
better the term of his life. Then some 
of the barons said to king Mark, and 
counselled him to send to the court of 
king Arthur for to seek Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, that was that time named for 
the marvellousest knight of all the 
world. Then there were some other 
barons that counselled the king not to 
do so, and said that it was labour in 
vain, because Sir Marhaus was a knight 
of the Round Table, therefore any of 
them will be loth to have ado with 
other, but if it were any knight at his 
own request would fight disguised and 
unknown. So the king and all his 
barons assented that it was no boot to 
seek any knight of the Round Table. 
This meanwhile came the language 
and the noise unto king Meliodas, how 
that Sir Marhaus abode battle fast by 
Tintagil, and how king Mark could find 
no manner knight to fight for him. 
When young Tristram heard of this he 
was wroth and sore ashamed that there 
durst no knight in Cornwall have ado 
with Sir Marhaus of Ireland. 

CHAP. V. 

How Tristram e7iterprized the battle to 
fight for the trtiage of Cortiwall, and 

how he was made hiight. ^ 

Therewithal Sir Tristram went unto 
his father king Meliodas, and asked him 



HOW HE FOUGHT WITH SIR MARHAUS. 



i6fi 



counsel what was best to do for to re- 
cover from Cornwall truage. For as 
me seemeth, said Sir Tristram, it were 
shame that Sir Marhaus, the queen's 
brother of Ireland, should go away, 
unless that he were fought withall. As 
for that, said Sir Meliodas, wit ye well 
son Tristram that Sir Marhaus is called 
one of the best knights of the world, 
and knight of the Table Round, and 
therefore I know no knight in this 
country that is able to match with him. 
Alas, said Sir Tristram, that I am not 
made knight : and if Sir Marhaus should 
thus depart into Ireland, may I never 
have worship, and I were made knight 
I should match him. And sir, said 
Tristram, I pray you give me leave to 
ride to king Mark, and so ye be not 
displeased of king Mark will I be made 
knight. I will well, said king Meliodas, 
that ye be ruled as your courage will 
rale you. 

Then Sir Tristram thanked his father 
much. And then he made him ready 
to ride into Cornwall. In the mean- 
w^hile there came a messager with 
letters of love from king Faramon 
of France's daughter unto Sir Tris- 
tram, that were full piteous letters, and 
in them were written many complaints 
of love. But Sir Tristram had no joy 
of her letters, nor regard unto her. 
Also she sent him a little brachet 
that was passing fair. But when the 
king's daughter understood that Tris- 
tram would not love her, as the book 
saith, she died for sorrow. And then 
the same squire that brought the letter 
and the brachet came again unto Sir 
Tristram as after ye shall hear in the 
tale. So this young Sir Tristram rode 
unto his uncle king Mark of Cornwall. 
And when he came there he heard say 
that there would no knight fight with 
Sir Marhaus. Then went Sir Tristram 
unto his uncle and said, Sir, if ye will 
give me the order of knighthood I will 
do battle with Sir Marhaus. What are 
ye ? said the king, and from whence be 
ye come ? Sir, said Tristram, I come 
from king Meliodas that wedded your 
sister, and a gentleman wit ye well 



I am. King Mark beheld Sir Tristram, 
and saw that he Mas but a young man 
of age, but he was passingly well made 
and big. Fair sir, said the king, what 
is your name, and where were ye born ? 
Sir, said he again, my name is Tris- 
tram, and in the country of Liones was 
I born. Ye say well, said the king, and 
if ye will do this battle I shall make you 
knight. Therefore I come to you, said 
Sir Tristram, and for none other cause. 
But then king Mark made him knight. 
And therewithal anon as he had made 
him knight, he sent a messager unto 
Sir Marhaus with letters that said that 
he had found a young knight ready for 
to take the battle to the uttermost. It 
may well be, said Sir Marhaus ; but tell 
unto king Mark that I will not fight 
with no knight but if he be of blood 
royal, that is to say either king's son 
or queen's son, born of a prince or 
princess. 

When king Mark understood that, he 
sent for Sir Tristram de Liones and 
told him what was the answer of Sir 
Marhaus. Then said Sir Tristram, 
Since that he sayeth so, let him wit 
that I am come of father's side and 
mother's side of as noble blood as he is. 
For, Sir, now shall ye know that I am 
king Meliodas' son, born of your own 
sister dame Elizabeth, that died in the 
forest in the birth of me. Yea ! said 
king Mark, ye are welcome fair nephew 
to me. Then in all the haste the king 
let horse Sir Tristram and arm him in 
the best manner that might be had or 
gotten for gold or silver. And then 
king Mark sent unto Sir Marhaus, and 
did him to wit that a better born man 
than he was himself should fight with 
him, and his name is Sir Tristram de 
Liones, gotten of king Mehodas, and 
born of king Mark's sister. Then was 
Sir Marhaus glad and blithe that he 
should fight with such a gentleman. 
And so by the assent of king Mark and 
Sir Marhaus they let ordain that they 
should fight within an island nigh Sir 
Marhaus' ships; and so was Sir Tris- 
tram put into a vessel both his horse 
and he, and all that to him belonged 



[66 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



both for his body and for his horse. 
Sir Tristram lacked nothing. And when 
king Mark and his barons of Cornwall 
beheld how young Sir Tristram de- 
parted with such a carriage to fight for 
the right of Cornwall, there was neither 
man nor woman of worship but they 
wept to see and understand so young 
a knight to jeopard himself for their 
right. 

CHAP. VI. 

Hoiu Sir Tristram arrived into the island 
for to furnish the battle with Sir 
Marhaus. 

So to shorten this tale, when Sir 
Tristram was arrived within the island 
he looked to the further side, and there 
he saw at an anchor six ships nigh to 
the land, and under the shadow of the 
ships upon the land there hoved the 
noble knight Sir Marhaus of Ireland. 
Then Sir Tristram commanded his 
servant Gouvernail to bring his horse 
to the land, and dress his harness at all 
manner of rights. And then when he 
had so done he mounted upon his 
horse ; and when he was in his saddle 
well apparelled, and his shield dressed 
upon his shoulder, Tristram asked Gou- 
vernail, Where is this knight that I 
shall have ado withall ? Sir, said Gou- 
vernail, see ye him not? I wend ye 
had seen him, yonder he hoveth under 
the shadow of his ships upon horseback, 
with his spear in his hand, and his shield 
upon his shoulder. That is truth, said 
the noble knight Sir Tristram, now I 
see him well enough. Then he com- 
manded his servant Gouvernail to go to 
his vessel again, and command me unto 
mine uncle king Mark, and pray him if 
that I be slain in this battle, for to inter 
my body as him seemeth best, and as 
for me let him wit that I will never 
yield me for cowardice ; and if I be 
, slain and flee not, then have they lost 
■ no truage for me ; and if so be that I 
! flee or yield me as recreant, bid mine 
; uncle never bury me in christian burials. 
! And upon thy life, said Sir Tristram to 
! Gouvernail, come thou not nigh this 
' island till that thou see me overcome 



or slain, or else that I win yonder 
knight. So either departed from other 
sore weeping. 

CHAP. VII. 

How Sir Tristram fought against Sir 
Marhaus and achieved his battle, and 
how Sir Marhaus fled to his Ship. 

And then Sir Marhaus perceived Sir 
Tristram, and said thus : Young knight 
Sir Tristram, what doest thou here ? Me 
sore repenteth of thy courage, for wit 
thou well I have been assayed, and the 
best knights of this land have been 
assayed of my hands, and also I have 
matched with the best knights of the 
world, and therefore by my counsel re- 
turn again unto thy vessel. And fair 
knight, and well proved knight, said Sir 
Tristram, thou shalt well wit I may not 
forsake thee in this quarrel, for I am for 
thy sake made knight. And thou shalt 
well wit that I am a king's son, born of 
a queen, and such promise I have made 
at mine uncle's request and mine own 
seeking, that I shall fight with thee 
unto the uttermost, and deliver Corn- 
wall from the old truage. And also wit 
thou well. Sir Marhaus, that this is the 
greatest cause that thou couragest me to 
have ado with you, for thou art called 
one of the most renowned knights of 
the world, and because of that noise 
and fame that thou hast, thou givest me 
courage to have ado with thee, for never 
yet was I proved with good knight ; and 
since I took the order of knighthood this 
day I am well pleased that I may have 
ado with so good a knight as thou art. 
And now wit thou well. Sir Marhaus, 
that I cast me to get worship on thy 
body, and if that I be not proved, I 
trust I shall be worshipfully proved 
upon thy body, and to deliver the 
country of Cornwall from all manner 
of truage from Ireland for ever. When 
Sir Marhaus had heard him say what 
he would, he said then thus again : 
Fair knight, since it is so that thou 
casteth to win worship of me, I let thee 
wit worship mayest thou none lose by 
me if thou mayest stand me three 



HOW SIR MARHAUS DIED. 



167 



strokes, for I let thee wit for my noble 
deeds, proved and seen, king Arthur 
made me knight of the Table Round. 
Then they began to feuter their spears, 
and they met so fiercely together that 
they smote either other down both 
horse and all. But Sir Marhaus smote 
Sir Tristram a great wound in the side 
with his spear, and then they avoided 
their horses, and pulled out their 
swords, and threw their shields afore 
them, and then they lashed together as 
men that were wild and courageous. 
And when they had stricken so together 
long, then they left their strokes, and 
foined at their breathes and visors ; and 
when they saw that that might not pre- 
vail them, then they hurtled together 
like rams to bear either other down. 
Thus they fought still more than half a 
day, and either were wounded passing 
sore, that the blood ran down freshly 
from them upon the ground. By then 
Sir Tristram waxed more fresher than 
Sir Marhaus, and better winded and 
bigger, and with a mighty stroke he 
smote Sir Marhaus upon the helm such 
a buffet, that it went through his helm, 
and through the coif of steel, and 
through the brain-pan, and the sword 
stuck so fast in the helm and in his 
brain-pan that Sir Tristram pulled thrice 
at his sword or ever he might pull it out 
from his head, and there Marhaus fell 
down on his knees, the edge of Tris- 
tram's sword left in his brain-pan. And 
suddenly Sir Marhaus rose groveling, 
and threw his sword and his shield 
from him, and so ran to his ships and 
fled his way, and Sir Tristram had ever 
his shield and his sword. And when 
Sir Tristram saw Sir Marhaus withdraw 
him, he said. Ah sir knight of the 
Round Table, why withdrawest thou 
thee ; thou doest thyself and thy kin 
great shame, for I am but a young 
knight, or now I was never proved, and 
rather than I should withdraw me from 
thee, I had rather be hewn in an hun- 
dred pieces. Sir Marhaus answered no 
word, but went his way sore groaning. 
Well sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I 
promise thee thy sword and thy shield 



shall be mine, and thy shield shall I 
wear in all places where I ride on mine 
adventures, and in the sight of king 
Arthur and all the Round Table. 

CHAP. vni. 

How Sir Marhaus, after he was arrived 
itt Ireland, died of the stroke that 
Tristram had given him, and how 
Tristram was hurt. 

Anon Sir Marhaus and his fellowship 
departed into Ireland. And as soon as 
he came to the king his brother he 
let search his wounds. And when his 
head was searched, a piece of Sir Tris- 
tram's sword was found therein, and 
might never be had out of his head for 
no surgeons, and so he died of Sir Tris- 
tram's sword, and that piece of the 
sword the queen his sister kept it for 
ever with her, for she thought to be 
revenged and she might. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, 
that was sore wounded, and full sore 
bled, that he might not within a little 
while when he had taken cold scarcely 
stir him of his limbs. And then he set 
him down softly upon a little hill, and 
bled fast. Then anon came Gouvernail 
his man with his vessel, and the king 
and his barons came with procession 
against him, and when he was come to 
the land king Mark took him in his 
arms, and the king and Sir Dinas the 
Seneschal led Sir Tristram into the 
castle of Tintagil. And then was he 
searched in the best manner, and laid in 
his bed. And when king Mark saw his 
wounds he wept heartily, and so did all 
his lords. So God me help, said king 
Mark, I would not for all my lands that 
my nephew died. So Sir Tristram lay 
there a month and more, and ever he 
was like to die of that stroke that Sir 
Marhaus smote him first with the spear. 
For, as the French book saith, the 
spear's head was envenomed, that Sir 
Tristram might not be whole. Then 
was king Mark and all his barons pass- 
ing heavy, for they deemed none other 
but that Sir Tristram should not recover. 
Then the king let send after all manner 



[68 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



of leeches and surgeons, both unto men 
and women, and there was none that 
would behote him the hfe. Then came 
there a lady that was a right wise 
lady, and she said plainly unto king 
Mark and to Sir Tristram and to all his 
barons, that he should never be whole, 
but if Sir Tristram went in the same 
country that the venom came from, and 
in that country should he be holpen or 
else never. Thus said the lady unto 
the king. When king Mark understood 
that, he let purvey for Sir Tristram a 
fair vessel, well victualled, and therein 
was put Sir Tristram and Gouvernail 
with him, and Sir Tristram took his harp 
with him, and so he was put into the 
sea to sail into Ireland, and so by good 
fortune he arrived up in Ireland, even 
fast by a castle where the king and 
the queen was; and at his arrival he 
sat and harped in his bed a merry lay, 
such one heard they never none in Ire- 
land afore that time. And when it was 
told the king and the queen of such a 
knight that was such an harper, anon 
the king sent for him, and let search his 
wounds, and then asked him his name. 
Then he answered, I am of the country 
of Liones, and my name is Tramtrist, 
that thus was wounded in a battle as I 
fought for a lady's right. Truly, said 
king Anguish, ye shall have all the help 
in this land that ye may have here. 
But I let you wit in Cornwall I had a 
great loss as ever had king, for there 
1 lost the best knight of the world, 
his name was IMarhaus, a full noble 
knight, and knight of the Table Round ; 
and there he told Sir Tristram wherefore 
Sir Marhaus was slain. Sir Tristram 
made semblant as he had been sorry, 
and better knew he how it was than the 
king. 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Tristram ivas put to the keeping 
of La Beale Isoud for to be healed of 
his wozmd. 

Then the king for great favour made 
Tramtrist to bo put in his daughter's 
ward and keeping, because she was a 
noble surgeon. And when she had 



searched him she found in the bottom 
of his wound that therein was poison, 
and so she healed him within a while, 
and therefore Tramtrist cast great love 
to La Beale Isoud, for she was at that 
time the fairest maid and lady of the 
world. And there Tramtrist learned 
her to harp, and she began to have a 
great fancy unto him. And at that time 
Sir Palamides the Saracen was in that 
country, and well cherished with the 
king and the queen. And every day 
Sir Palamides drew unto La Beale 
Isoud, and proffered her many gifts, 
for he loved her passingly well. AU 
that espied Tramtrist, and full well 
knew he Sir Palamides for a noble 
knight and a mighty man. And wit 
ye well Sir Tramtrist had great despite 
at Sir Palamides, for La Beale Isoud 
told Tramtrist that Sir Palamides was 
in will to be christened for her sake. 
Thus was there great envy betwixt 
Tramtrist and Sir Palamides. Then it 
befel that King Anguish let cry a great 
justs and a great tournament for a lady 
which was called the lady of the lawns, 
and she was nigh cousin unto the king. 
And what man won her, three days after 
he should wed her, and have all her lands. 
This cry was made in England, Wales, 
Scotland, and also in France and in 
Britany. It befel upon a day La Beale 
Isoud came unto Sir Tramtrist and told 
him of this tournament. He answered 
and said, Fair lady, I am but a feeble 
knight, and but late I had been dead 
had not your good ladyship been. Now, 
fair lady, what would ye I should do in 
this matter? Well ye wot, my lady, 
that I may not just. Ah Tramtrist, said 
La Beale Isoud, why will ye not have 
ado at that tournament ? well I wot Sir 
Palamides shall be there and to do what 
he may, and therefore Tramtrist I pray 
you for to be there, for else Sir Pala- 
mides is like to win the degree. Madam, 
said Tramtrist, as for that it may be so, 
for he is a proved knight, and I am but 
a young knight and late made, and the 
first battle that I did it mishapped me 
to be sore wounded as ye see. But and 
I wist ye would be my better lady, at 



OF TRISTRAM AND LA BEALE ISOUD. 



169 



that tournament I will be, so that ye 
will keep my counsel, and let no creature 
have knowledge that I shall just but 
yourself, and such as ye will to keep 
your counsel ; my poor person shall I 
jeopard there for your sake, that perad- 
venture Sir Palamides shall know when 
that I come. Thereto, said La Beale 
Isoud, do your best, and as I can, said 
I,a Beale Isoud, I shall purvey horse 
and armour for you at my devise. As 
ye will so be it, said Sir Tramtrist, I 
will be at your commandment. So at 
the day of justs there came Sir Pala- 
mides with a black shield, and he over- 
threw many knights, that all the people 
had marvel of him. For he put to the 
worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, 
Bagdemagus, Kay, Dodias le Savage, 
Sagramore le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, 
and Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these 
the first day Sir Palamides strake down 
to the earth. And then all manner of 
knights were adread of Sir Palamides, 
and many called him the knight with 
the black shield. So that day Sir Pala- 
mides had great worship. Then came 
king Anguish unto Tramtrist and asked 
him why he would not just. Sir, said 
he, I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare 
not adventure me. Then came there 
the same squire that was sent from the 
king's daughter of France unto Sir 
Tristram. And when he had espied 
Sir Tristram he fell flat to his feet. 
All that espied La Beale Isoud, what 
courtesy the squire made unto Sir Tris- 
;tram. And therewith all suddenly Sir 
Tristram ran unto his squire, whose 
name was Hebes le Renoumes, and 
prayed hira heartily in no wise to tell 
his name. Sir, said Hebes, I will not 
discover your name but if ye command 
me. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Tristram won the degree at a 
tomviamejit in Ireland, and there made 
Palamides to bear tio harness in a 
year. 

Then Sir Tristram asked him what 
he did in those countries. Sir, he said, 
I came hither with Sir Gawaine for to 



be made knight, and if it please you, of 
your hands that I may be made knight. 
Await upon me as to-morn, secretly, 
and in the field I shall make you a 
knight. Then had La Beale Isoud great 
suspicion unto Tramtrist that he was 
some man of worship proved, and there- 
with she comforted herself, and cast 
more love unto him than she had done 
tofore. And so on the morn Sir Pala- I 
mides made him ready to come into 
the field as he did the first day. And 
there he smote down the king with the 
hundred knights, and the king of Scot- 
land. Then had La Beale Isoud or- 
dained and well arrayed Sir Tramtrist 
in white horse and harness. And right 
so she let put him out at a privy pos- 
tern, and so he came into the field as it 
had been a bright angel. And anon Sir 
Palamides espied him, and therewith he 
feutered a spear unto Sir Tramtrist, and 
he again unto him. And there Sir Tris- 
tram smote down Sir Palamides unto 
the earth. And then there was a great 
noise of people : some said Sir Pala- 
mides had a fall, some said the knight 
with the black shield had a fall. And 
wit you well La Beale Isoud was passing 
glad. And then Sir Gawaine and his 
fellows nine had marvel what knight it 
might be that had smitten down Sir 
Palamides. Then would there none just 
with Tramtrist, but all that Avere there 
forsook him, most and least. Then Sir 
Tristram made Hebes a knight, and 
caused him to put himself forth, and 
did right well that day. So after Sir 
Hebes held him with Sir Tristram. 
And Avhen Sir Palamides had received 
this fall, wit ye well he was sore 
ashamed: and as privily as he might 
he withdrew him out of the field. All 
that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly he 
rode after Sir Palamides, and overtook 
him, and bad him turn, for better he 
would assay him or ever he departed. 
Then Sir Palamides turned him, and 
either lashed at other with their swords. 
But at the first stroke Sir Tristram 
smote down Palamides, and gave him 
such a stroke upon the head that he fell 
to the earth. So then Tristram bad 



170 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



yield him and do his commandment, 
or else he would slay him. When Sir 
Paiamides beheld his countenance, he 
dread his buffets so that he granted all 
his askings. Well said, said Sir Tris- 
tram, this shall be your charge. First 
upon pain of your life that ye forsake 
my lady La Beale Isoud, and in no 
manner wise that ye draw not to her. 
Also this twelvemonth and a day that 
ye bear none armour nor none harness 
of war. Now promise me this, or here 
shalt thou die. Alas, said Paiamides, 
for ever am I ashamed. Then he sware 
as Sir Tristram had commanded him. 
Then for despite and anger Sir Paia- 
mides cut off his harness and threw them 
away. And so Sir Tristram turned again 
to the castle where was La Beale Isoud, 
and by the way he met with a damsel 
that asked after Sir Launcelot, that won 
the Dolorous Gard worshipfully, and 
this damsel asked Sir Tristram what he 
was : for it was told her that it was he 
that smote down Sir Paiamides, by whom 
the ten knights of king Arthur were 
smitten down. Then the damsel prayed 
Sir Tristram to tell her what he was, 
and whether that he were Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, for she deemed that there was 
no knight in the world might do such 
deeds of arms, but if it were Launcelot. 
Fair damsel, said Sir Tristram, wit ye 
well that I am not Sir Launcelot, for I 
was never of such prowess, but in God 
is all, that he may make me as good a 
knight as the good knight Sir Laun- 
celot. Now, gentle knight, said she, 
put up thy visor. And when she beheld 
his visage she thought she saw never a 
better man's visage, nor a better faring 
knight. And then when the damsel 
knew certainly that he was not Sir 
Launcelot, then she took her leave and 
I departed from him. And then Sir Tris- 
tram rode privily unto the postern where 
kept him La Beale Isoud, and there she 
made him good cheer, and thanked God 
of his good speed. So anon within a 
while the king and the queen understood 
that it was Tramtrist that smote down 
Sir Paiamides ; then was he much made 
of more than he was before. 



CHAP. XL 

How the queen espied that Sir Tristram 
had slain her brother Sir Marhaus by 
his sword, and in what jeopardy he 
was. 

Thus was Sir Tramtrist long there 
well cherished with the king and the 
queen, and namely with La Beale Isoud. 
So upon a day the queen and La Beale 
Isoud made a bath for Sir Tramtrist, 
and when he was in his bath the queen 
and Isoud her daughter roamed up and 
down in the chamber, and there whiles 
Gouvernail and Hebes attended upon 
Tramtrist, and the queen beheld his 
sword there as it lay upon his bed. 
And then by unhap the queen drew out 
his sword and beheld it a long while, 
and both they thought it a passing fair 
sword, but within a foot and an half of 
the point there was a great piece thereof 
out broken of the edge. And when the 
queen espied that gap in the sword, she 
remembered her of a piece of a sword 
that was found in the brain-pan of Sir 
Marhaus, the good knight that was her 
brother. Alas, then said she unto her 
daughter La Beale Isoud, this is the 
same traitor knight that slew my brother 
thine uncle. When Isoud heard her say 
so she was passing sore abashed, for 
passing well she loved Sir Tramtrist, 
and full well she knew the cruelness of 
her mother the queen. Anon there- 
withal the queen went unto her own 
chamber and sought her coffer, and 
there she took out the piece of the 
sword that was pulled out of Sir Mar- 
haus' head after that he was dead. And 
then she ran with that piece of iron to 
the sword that lay upon the bed. And 
when she put that piece of steel and 
iron unto the sword, it was as meet as 
it might be when it was new broken. 
And then the queen griped that sword 
in her hand fiercely, and with all her 
might she ran straight upon Tramtrist, 
where he sat in his bath, and there she 
had rived him through had not Sir Hebes 
gotten her in his arms, and pulled the 
sword from her, and else she had thrust 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS DISCOVERED. 



171 



him through. Then when she was letted 
of her evil will, she ran to the king 
Anguish her husband, and said on her 
knees. Oh my lord, here have ye in your 
house that traitor knight that slew my 
brother and your servant, that noble 
knight Sir INIarhaus. Who is that, said 
king Anguish, and where is he ? Sir, she 
said, it is Sir Tramtrist, the same knight 
that my daughter healed. Alas, said 
the king, therefore am I right heavy, 
for he is a full noble knight as ever I 
saw in field. But I charge you, said 
the king to the queen, that ye have not 
ado with that knight, but let me deal 
with him. Then the king went into the 
chamber unto Sir Tramtrist, and then 
was he gone unto his chamber, and the 
king found him all ready armed to 
mount upon his horse. When the king 
saw him all ready armed to go unto 
horseback, the king said, Nay, Tram- 
trist, it will not avail to compare thee 
against me. But thus much 1 shall do 
for my worship and for thy love ; in so 
much as thou art within my court, it 
were no worship for me to slay thee, 
therefore upon this condition I will give 
thee leave to depart from this court in 
safety, so thou wilt tell me who was thy 
father, and what is thy name, and if 
thou slew Sir Marhaus, my brother. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Tristram departed from the king 
and La Beale Isoud out of Ireland for 
to come into Cornwall. 

Sir, said Tristram, now I shall tell 
you all the truth : my father's name 
is Meliodas, king of Liones, and my 
mother hight Elizabeth, that was sister 
unto king Mark of Cornwall ; and my 
mother died of me in the forest, and 
because thereof she commanded or she 
died that when I were christened that 
they should christen me Tristram, and 
because I would not be known in this 
country I turned my name, and let me 
call Tramtrist ; and for the truage of 
Cornwall I fought for mine uncle's 
sake, and for the right of Cornwall that 
ye had possessed many years. And wit 



ye well, said Tristram unto the king, 
I did the battle for the love of mine 
uncle king Mark, and for the love of 
the country of Cornwall, and for to 
increase mine honour. For that same 
day that I fought with Sir Marhaus I 
was made knight, and never or then did 
I no battle with no knight, and from 
me he went alive, and left his shield 
and his sword beliind. Truly, said the 
king, I may not say but ye did as a 
knight should, and it was your part to 
do for your quarrel, and to increase 
your worship as a knight should ; how- 
beit I may not maintain you in this 
country with my worship, unless that I 
should displease my barons, and my 
wife, and her kin. Sir, said Tristram, 
I thank you of your good lordship that 
I have had with you here, and the great 
goodness my lady your daughter hath 
shewed me, and therefore, said Sir Tris- 
tram, it may so happen that ye shall 
win more by my life than by my death, 
for in the parts of England it may hap- 
pen I may do you service at some season 
that ye shall be glad that ever ye shewed 
me your good lordship. With more I 
promise you as I am true knight, that 
in all places I shall be my lady your 
daughter's servant and knight in right 
and in wrong, and I shall never fail her 
never to do as much as a knight may 
do. Also I beseech your good grace 
that I may take my leave at my lady 
your daughter, and at all the barons 
and knights. I will well, said the king. 
Then Sir Tristram went unto La Beale 
Isoud and took his leave of her. And 
then he told her all, what he was, and 
how he had changed his name because 
he would not be known, and how a 
lady told him that he should never be 
whole till he came into this country 
where the poison was made : — Where 
through I was near my death, had not 
your ladyship been. Oh gentle knight, 
said La Beale Isoud, full wo am I of 
thy departing, for I saw never man that 
I owed so good will to. And there- 
withal she wept heartily. Madam, said 
Sir Tristram, ye shall understand that my 
name is Sir Tristram de Liones, son of 



172 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



king Meliodas and of his queen. And 
I promise you faithfully that I shall be 
all the days of my life your knight. 
Gramercy, said La Beale Isoud, and I 
promise you there against that I shall 
not be married this seven years but by 
your assent, and to whom that ye will I 
shall be married, him will I have, and 
he will have me if ye will consent. And 
then Sir Tristram gave her a ring and 
she gave him another, and therewith he 
departed from her, leaving her making 
great dole and lamentation. And he 
straight went unto the court among all 
the barons, and there he took his leave 
at most and least, and openly he said 
among them all. Fair lords, now it is 
so that I must depart. If there be any 
man here that I have offended unto, or 
that any man be with me grieved, let 
complain him here afore me or that ever 
I depart, and I shall amend it unto my 
power. And if there be any that will 
proffer me wrong, or say of me wrong 
or shame behind my back, say it now 
or never, and here is my body to make 
it good, body against body. And all 
they stood still, there was not one that 
would say one word, yet were there 
some knights that were of the queen's 
blood, and of Sir Marhaus's blood, but 
they would not meddle with him. 

CHAP. XIIL 

Hotv Sir Tristratti and king Mark hurt 
each other for the love of a knight's wife. 

So Sir Tristram departed, and took 
the sea, and with good wind he arrived 
up at Tintagil in Cornwall. And when 
king Mark was whole in his prosperity 
there came tidings that Sir Tristram 
was arrived and whole of his wounds ; 
thereof was king Mark passing glad, 
and so were all the barons. And when 
he saw his time, he rode unto his father 
king Meliodas, and there he had all the 
cheer that the king and the queen could 
make him. And then largely king 
Meliodas and his queen parted of their 
lands and goods to Sir Tristram. Then 
by the licence of king Meliodas his father 
he returned again unto the court of king 



Mark, and there he lived in great joy 
long time, until at the last there befel 
a jealousy and an unkindness between 
king Mark and Sir Tristram, for they 
loved both one lady, and she was an 
earl's wife, that hight Sir Segwarides. 
And this lady loved Sir Tristram pass- 
ing well, and he loved her again, for she 
was a passing fair lady, and that espied 
Sir Tristram well. Then king Mark 
understood that, and was jealous, for 
king Mark loved her passingly well. So 
it fell upon a day, this lady sent a dwarf 
unto Sir Tristram, and bad him say that 
as he loved her that he would be with 
her the next day following. Also she 
charged you that ye come not to her 
but if ye be well armed, for her lover 
was called a good knight. Sir Tristram 
answered to the dwarf. Recommend me 
unto my lady, and tell her I will not 
fail but I will be with her the term that 
she hath set me. And with this answer 
the dwarf departed. And king Mark 
espied that the dwarf was with Sir 
Tristram, upon message from Sir Segwa- 
rides's wife ; then king Mark sent for 
the dwarf. And when he was come he 
made the dwarf by force to tell him all, 
why and wherefore that he came on 
message to Sir Tristram. Now, said 
king Mark, go where thou wilt, and 
upon pain of death that thou say no 
word that thou spakest with me. So 
the dwarf departed from the king. 
And that same time that was set be- 
twixt Sir Segwarides's wife and Sir 
Tristram, king Mark armed him, and 
made him ready, and took two knights 
of his council with him, and so he rode 
afore, for to abide by the way, to await 
upon Sir Tristram. And as Sir Tristram 
came riding upon his way, with his spear 
in his hand, king Mark came hurtling 
upon him with his two knights sud- 
denly. And all three smote him with 
their spears, and king Mark hurt Sir. 
Tristram on the breast right sore; and 
then Sir Tristram feutered his spear, 
and smote his uncle king Mark such a 
stroke that he rashed him to the earth, 
and bruised him that he lay still in a 
swoon, and it was long or he might 



CHAP. XIV. 



OF SIR SEGWARIDES AND HIS LADY. 



173 



move himself ; and then he ran to the 
one knight, and oft to the other, and 
smote them to the cold earth, that 
they lay still. And therewithal Sir Tris- 
tram rode forth sore wounded to the 
lady, and found her abiding him at 
a postern. 

CHAP. XlV. 

How Sir Tristram catne to the lady, and 
how her husband fought with Sir Tris- 
tram. 

And there she welcomed him fair, 
and so she let put up his horse in the 
best wise, and then she unarmed him : 
and so they supped lightly, and within 
a while there came one that warned 
her that her lord was near hand, with- 
in a bow draft. So she made Sir Tris- 
tram to arise, and so he armed him, and 
took his horse, and so departed. By 
then was come Sir Segwarides, and when 
he found that there had been a knight, 
Ah, false traitress, then he said, why hast 
thou betrayed me ? And therewithal he 
swung out a sword, and said. But if thou 
tell me who hath been here, here thou 
shalt die. Ah, my lord, mercy, said the 
lady, and held up her hands, saying, 
Slay me not, and 1 shall tell you all who 
hath been here. Tell anon, said Sir Seg- 
warides, to me all the truth. Anon for 
dread she said. Here was Sir Tristram 
with me, and by the way as he came to 
me ward he was sore wounded. Ah, 
thou false traitress, said Sir Segwarides, 
where is he become? Sir, she said, he 
is armed, and departed on horseback, 
not yet hence half-a-mile. Ye say well, 
said SegAvarides. Then he armed him 
lightly, and gat his horse, and rode after 
Sir Tristram, that rode straightway unto 
Tintagil. And within a while he over- 
took Sir Tristram, and then he bad him 
turn, false traitor knight, and Sir Tris* 
tram anon turned him against him. 
And therewithal Segwarides smote Sir 
Tristram with a spear that it all to- 
brast ; and then he swung out his 
sword, and smote fast at Sir Tristram. 
Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I counsel 
you that ye smite no more, howbeit, 
for the wTongs that I have done you, 



I will forbear you as long as I may. 
Nay, said Segw'arides, that shall not be, 
for either thou shalt die or I. Then 
Sir Tristram drew out his sword, and 
hurtled his horse unto him fiercely, and 
through the waist of the body he smote 
Sir Segwarides that he fell to the earth 
in a swoon. And so Sir Tristram de- 
parted and left him there, and so he 
rode unto Tintagil, and took his lodging 
secretly, for he would not be known that 
he was hurt. Also, Sir Segwarides's men 
lode after their master, whom they found 
lying in the field sore wounded, and 
brought him home on his shield, and 
there he lay long or that he were whole, 
but at the last he recovered. Also king 
Mark would not be aknown of, that Sir 
Tristram and he had met that time. 
And as for Sir Tristram, he wist not 
that it had been king Mark that had 
met with him. And so the king's assist- 
ance came to Sir Tristram, to comfort 
him as he lay sick in his bed. But as 
long as king Mark lived he loved never 
Sir Tristram after that : though there 
was fair speech, love was there none. 
And thus it passed man.y weeks and 
days, and all was forgiven and for- 
gotten. For Sir Segwarides durst not 
have ado with Sir Tristram, because 
of his noble prowess, and also because 
he was nephew unto king Mark, there- 
fore he let it over slip, for he that hath 
a privy hurt is loth to have a shame 
outward. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Sir Bleoberis demanded the fairest 
lady in hitig Mark's court, whom he 
took away, and how he was fought 
with. 

Then it befel upon a day, that the 
good knight Bleoberis de Ganis, brother 
to Blamore de Ganis, and nigh cousin 
unto the good knight Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, — this Bleoberis came unto 
the court of king Mark, and there he 
asked of king Mark a boon, to give him 
what gift he would ask in his court. 
When the king heard him ask so, he 
marvelled of his asking, but because he 
was a knight of the Round Table, and 



174 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



of a great renown, king Mark granted 
him his whole asking. Then, said Sir 
Bleoberis, I will have the fairest lady in 
your court that me list to choose. I may 
not say nay, said king Mark ; now choose 
at your adventure. And so Sir Bleoberis 
did chose Sir Segwarides's wife, and took 
her by the hand, and so went his way 
with her, and so he took his horse and let 
set her behind his squire, and rode upon 
his way. When Sir Segwarides heard 
tell that his lady was gone with a knight 
of king Arthur's court, then anon he 
armed him, and rode after that knight 
for to rescue his lady. So when Bleoberis 
was gone with this lady, king Mark and 
all the court was wroth that she was 
away. Then were there certain ladies 
that knew that there was great love be- 
tween Sir Tristram and her, and also 
that lady loved Sir Tristram above all 
other knights. Then there was one 
lady that rebuked Sir Tristram in the 
horriblest wise, and called him coward 
knight, that he would for shame of his 
knighthood see a lady so shamefully 
taken away from his uncle's court. But 
Sir Tristram answered her thus: Fair 
lady, it is not my part to have ado in 
such matters, while her lord and husband 
is present here. And if it had been that 
her lord had not been here in this court, 
then for the worship of this court per- 
adventure I would have been her cham- 
pion, and if so be Sir Segwarides speed 
not well, it may happen that I will speak 
with that good knight or ever he pass 
from this country. Then within awhile 
came one of Sir Segwarides's squires, and 
told in the court that Sir Segwarides was 
beaten sore and wounded to the point of 
death : as he would have rescued his lady 
Sir Bleoberis overthrew him, and sore 
hath wounded him. Then was king 
Mark heavy thereof, and all the court. 
When Sir Tristram heard of this he was 
ashamed and sore grieved. And then 
was he soon armed and on horseback, 
andGouvernail his sei-vant bare his shield 
and spear. And so as Sir Tristram rode 
fast he met v-ith Sir Andret his cousin, 
that by the commandment of king Mark 
was sent to bring forth, and ever it lay 



in his power two knights of king Ar- 
thur's court, that rode by the country to 
seek their adventures. When Sir Tris- 
tram saw Sir Andret he asked him what 
tidings. Truly, said Sir Andret, there 
was never worse with me, for here by 
the commandment of king Mark I was 
sent to fetch two knigbts of king Ar- 
thur's court, and that one beat me and 
wounded me, and set nought by my 
message. Fair cousin, said Sir Tristram, 
ride on your way, and if I may meet 
them it may happen I shall revenge you. 
So Sir Andret rode into Cornwall, and 
Sir Tristram rode after the two knights, 
the which one hight Sagramore le De- 
sirous, and that other hight Dodinas le 
Savage. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How Sir Trisiratn fought with two hnights 
of the Round Table. 

Then within awhile Sir Tristram saw 
them afore him two likely knights. Sir, 
said Gouvernail unto his master. Sir, I 
would counsel you not to have ado with 
them, for they be two proved knights 
of Arthur's court. As for that, said 
Sir Tristram, have ye no doubt but I 
will have ado with them to encrease my 
worship, for it is many day sithen I did 
any deeds of arms. Do as ye list, said 
Gouvernail. And therewithal anon Sir 
Tristram asked them from whence they 
came, and whither they would, and what 
they did in those marches. Sir Sagra- 
more looked upon Sir Tristram, and 
had scorn of his words, and asked him 
again. Fair knight, be ye a knight 
of Cornwall ? Whereby ask ye it ? said 
Sir Tristram. For it is seldom seen, said 
Sir Sagramore, that ye Cornish knights 
be valiant men of arms : for within these 
two hours there met us one of you 
Cornish knights, and great words he 
spake, and anon with little might he 
was laid to the earth. And, as I trow, 
said Sir Sagramore, ye shall have the 
same handsel that he had. Fair lords, 
said Sir Tristram, it may so happen 
that I may better withstand than he 
did, and whether ye will or nill I will 
have ado with you, because he was my 



CHAP. XVII. 



OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR BLEOBERIS. 



cousin that ye beat. And therefore here 
do your best ; and wit ye well but if 
ye quit you the better here upon this 
ground one knight of Cornwall shall beat 
you both. When Sir Dodinas le Savage 
heard him say so, he gat a spear in his 
hand, and said, Sir knight, keep well 
thyself. And then they departed, and 
came together as it had been thund<;r. 
And Sir Dodinas' spear brast in sunder, 
but Sir Tristram smote him with a more 
might, that he smote him clean over the 
horse croup, that nigh he had broken 
his neck. When Sir Sagramore saw his 
fellow have such a fall he marvelled 
what knight he might be, and he dressed 
his spear with all his might, and Sir 
Tristram against him, and they came 
together as the thunder, and there Sir 
Tristram smote Sir Sagramore a strong 
buffet, that he bare his horse and him to 
the earth, and in the falling he brake 
his thigh. When this was done Sir Tris- 
tram asked them, Fair knights, will ye 
any more ? Be there no bigger knights 
in the court of king Arthur ? It is to 
you shame to say of us knights of Corn- 
wall dishonour, for it may happen a Cor- 
nish knight may match you. That is 
truth, said Sir Sagramore, that have we 
well proved ; but I require thee, said Sir 
Sagramore, tell us your right name, by 
the faith and truth that ye owe to the 
high order of knighthood. Ye charge 
me with a great thing, said Sir Tris- 
tram, and sithen ye list to wit it, ye shall 
know and understand that my name is 
Sir Tristram de Liones, king Meliodas' 
son, and nephew unto king Mark. 
Then were they two knights fain that 
they had met with Sir Tristram, and so 
they prayed him to abide in their fel- 
lowship. Nay, said Sir Tristram, for I 
must have ado with one of your fellows, 
his name is Sir Bleoberis de Ganis. 
God speed you well, said Sir Sagra- 
more and Dodinas. Sir Tristram de- 
parted, and rode onward on his way, 
and then was he ware before him in a 
valley where rode Sir Bleoberis with 
Sir Segu'arides's lady, that rode behind 
his squire upon a palfrey. 



CHAP. XVII. 

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Bleo- 
beris for a lady, and how the lady was 
put to choice to whoin she would go. 

Then Sir Tristram rode more than a 
pace imtil that he had overtaken him. 
Then spake Sir Tristram: Abide, he 
said, knight of Arthur's court, bring 
again that lady, or deliver her to me. 
I will do neither, said Sir Bleoberis, for 
I dread no Cornish knight so sore that 
me hst to deliver her. Why, said Sir 
Tristram, may not a Cornish knight do 
as well as another knight ? This same 
day two knights of your court, within 
this three mile met with me, and or ever 
we departed they found a Cornish knight 
good enough for them both. What were 
their names ? said Bleoberis. They told 
me, said Sir Tristram, that the one of 
them hight Sir Sagramore le Desirous, 
and the other hight Dodinas le Savage. 
Ah, said Sir Bleoberis, have ye met 
with them? Truly they were two good 
knights, and men of great worship, and 
if ye have beat them both ye must 
needs be a good knight : but if it so be 
that ye have beat them both, yet shall 
ye not fear me, but ye shall beat me or 
ever ye have this lady. Then defend 
you, said Sir Tristram. So they de- 
parted and came together like thunder, 
and either bare other down, horse and 
all, to the earth. Then they avoided 
their horses and lashed together eagerly 
with swords, and mightily, now tracing 
and traversing on the right hand and on 
the left hand more than two hours. 
And sometimes they rushed together 
with such a might that they lay both 
groveling on the ground. Then Sir 
Bleoberis de Ganis start aback, and said 
thus : Now, gentle good knight, a while 
hold your hands and let us speak to- 
gether. Say what ye will, said Sir Tris- 
tram, and I will answer you. Sir, said 
Bleoberis, I would wit of whence ye 
be, and of whom ye be come, and what 
is your name ? Truly, said Sir Tristram, 
I fear not to tell you my name : wit ye 
well I am king Meliodas' son, and my 
mother is king Mark's sister, and my 



176 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and 
king Mark is mine uncle. Truly, said 
Bleoberis, I am right glad of you, 
for ye are he that slew Marhaus, 
knight, hand for hand in an island for 
the truage of Cornwall; also ye over- 
came Sir Palamides the good knight at 
a tournament in an island, where ye 
beat Sir Gawaine and his nine fellows. 
Wit ye well, said Sir Tristram, that I 
am the same knight. Now I have told 
you my name, tell me yours with good 
will. Wit ye well that my name is Sir 
Bleoberis de Ganis, and my brother 
hight Sir Blamor de Ganis, that is called 
a good knight, and we be sister's chil- 
dren unto my lord Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, that we call one of the best 
knights of the world. That is truth, 
said Sir Tristram; Sir Launcelot is 
called peerless of courtesy and of 
knighthood; and for his sake, said Sir 
Tristram, I will not with my good will 
fight no more with you, for the great 
love I have to Sir Launcelot du Lake. 
In good faith, said Bleoberis, as for me, 
I will be loth to fight with you. But 
since ye follow me here to have this 
lady, I shall proffer you kindness, cour- 
tesy, and gentleness, right here upon 
this ground. This lady shall be betwixt 
us both, and to whom that she will go, 
let him have her in peace. I will well, 
said Tristram, for, as I deem, she will 
leave you and come to me. Ye shall 
prove it anon, said Bleoberis. 

CHAP. xvm. 

Hozv the lady forsook Sir Tristram and 
abode with Sir Bleoberis, and how she 
desired to go to her husband. 

So when she was set betwixt them 
both, she said these words unto Sir 
Tristram : Wit ye well. Sir Tristram de 
Liones, that but late thou was the man 
in the world that I most loved and 
trusted, and I wend thou haddest loved 
me again above all ladies. But when 
thou sawest this knight lead me away, 
thou madest nb cheer to rescue me, 
but suffered my lord Sir Segwarides 
to ride after me, but until that time I 



wend thou haddest loved me, and there- 
fore now I will leave thee, and never 
love thee more. And therewithal she 
went unto Sir Bleoberis. When Sir Tris- 
tram saw her do so, he was wonderly 
wroth with that lady, and ashamed to 
come to the court. Sir Tristram, said Sir 
Bleoberis, ye are in the default, for I 
hear, by this lady's words, she, before 
tfiis day, trusted you above all earthly 
knights, and, as she saith, ye have de- 
ceived her ; therefore, wit ye well, there 
may no man hold that will away, and 
rather than ye should be heartily dis- 
pleased with me, I would ye had her 
and she would abide with you. Nay, 
said the lady, I will never go with him, 
for he that I loved most I wend he had ' 
loved me. And therefore. Sir Tristram, 
she said, ride as thou came, for though 
thou haddest overcome this knight, as 
ye were likely, with thee never would I 
have gone. And I shall pray this knight 
so fair of his knighthood, that or ever 
he pass this country he will lead me to 
the abbey where my lord Sir Segwarides 
lieth. Truly, said Bleoberis, I let you 
wit, good knight Sir Tristram, because 
king Mark gave me the choice of a gift 
in this court, and so this lady liked me 
best, notwithstanding she is wedded and 
hath a lord, and I have fulfilled my quest, 
she shall be sent unto her husband again, 
and in especial most for your sake Sir 
Tristram : and if she would go with you 
I would ye had her. I thank you, said 
Sir Tristram, but for her love 1 shall be 
ware what manner of lady I shall love 
or trust. For had her lord Sir Segwa- 
rides been away from the court I should 
have been the first that should have fol- 
lowed you, but since ye have refused me, 
as I am a true knight I shall her know 
passingly Avell that I shall love or trust. 
And so they took their leave one from 
the other and departed. And so Sir 
Tristram rode unto Tintagil, and Sir 
Bleoberis rode unto the abbey where 
Sir Segvi^arides lay sore wounded, and 
there he delivered his lady and departed 
as a noble knight. And when Sir Seg- 
warides saw his lady he was greatly 
comforted. And then she told him that 



HOW KING MARK WOULD WED ISOUD. 



177 



Sir Tristram had done gpreat battle with 
Sir Bleoberis, and caused him to bring 
her again. These words pleased Sir 
Segwarides right well, that Sir Tristram 
would do so much ; and so that lady told 
all the battle unto king Mark betwixt 
Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La 
Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and how 
by fortune he arrived into Engla?id. 

Then when this was done king Mark 
cast always in his heart how he might 
destroy Sir Tristram. And then he 
imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram 
into Ireland for La Beale Isoud. For 
Sir Tristram had so praised her beauty 
and her goodness that king Mark said 
he would wed her, whereupon he prayed 
Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland 
for him on message. And all this was 
done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram. 
Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would 
not refuse the message for no danger 
nor peril that might fall for the pleasure 
of his uncle, but to go he made him 
ready in the most goodliest wise that 
might be devised. For Sir Tristram 
took with him the most goodliest 
knights that he m.ight find in the court, 
and they were arrayed after the guise 
that was then used in the goodliest 
manner. So Sir Tristram departed and 
took the sea with all his fellowship. 
And anon as he was in the broad sea, 
a tempest took him and his fellowship 
and drove them back into the coast of 
England, and there they arrived fast by 
Camelot, and full fain they were to take 
the land. And when they were landed 
Sir Tristram set up his pavilion upon 
the land of Camelot, and there he let 
hang his shield upon the pavilion. And 
that day came two knights of king 
Arthur's, that one was Sir Ector de 
Maris, and Sir Morganor. And they 
touched the shield and bad him come out 
of the pavilion for to just, and he would 
just. Ye shall be answered, said Sir 
Tristram, and ye will tarry a little while. 
So he made him ready, and first he 



smote down Sir Ector de Maris, and 
after he smote down Sir Morganor, all 
with one spear, and sore bruised them. 
And when they lay upon the earth they 
asked Sir Tristram what he was, and 
of what country he was knight. Fair 
lords, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well 
that I am of Cornwall. Alas, said Sir 
Ector, now am I ashamed that ever any 
Cornish knight should overcome me. 
And then for despite Sir Ector put off 
his armour from him, and went on foot, 
and would not ride. 

CHAP. XX. 

How king Anguish of Ireland was sum^ 
moned to come unto king Arthurs court 
for treason. 

Then it fell that Sir Bleoberis and 
Sir Blamor de Ganis that were bre- 
thren, they had summoned the king 
Anguish of Ireland to come to Arthur's 
court, upon pain of forfeiture of king 
Arthur's good grace. And if the king 
of Ireland came not in at the day as- 
signed and set, the king should lose his 
lands. So by it happened that at the 
day assigned, king Arthur neither Sir 
Launcelot might not be there for to 
give the judgment, for king Arthur was 
with Sir Launcelot at the castle Joyous 
Gard. And so king Arthur assigned 
king Carados and the king of Scots to 
be there that day as judges. So when 
the kings were at Camelot king An- 
guish of Ireland was come to know his 
accusers. Then was there Blamor de 
Ganis, and appealed the king of Ireland 
of treason, that he had slain a cousin of 
his in his court in Ireland by treason. 
The king was sore abashed of his accu- 
sation, for why? he was come at the sum- 
moning of king Arthur, and or that he 
came at Camelot he wist not wherefore 
he was sent after. And when the king 
heard Sir Blamor say his will, he under- 
stood full well there was none other 
remedy but to answer him knightly. 
For the custom was such in those days, 
that and any man were appealed of any 
treason or murder, he should fight body 
for body, or else to find another knight 



178 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



for him. And all manner of murderers 
in those days were called treason. So 
when king Anguish understood his ac- 
cusing he was passing heavy, for he 
knew Sir Blamor de Ganis that he was 
a noble knight, and of noble knights 
come. Then the king of Ireland was 
simply purveyed of his answer, therefore 
the judges gave him respite by the third 
day to give his answer. So the -king 
departed unto his lodging. The mean 
while there came a lady by Sir Tris- 
tram's pavilion making great dole. What 
aileth you, said Sir Tristram, that ye 
make such dole ? Ah, fair knight, said 
the lady, I am ashamed unless that some 
good knight help me, for a great lady of 
worship sent by me a fair child and a 
rich unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and 
hereby there met with me a knight and 
threw me down from my palfrey, and 
took away the child from me. Well my 
lady, said Sir Tristram, and for my lord 
Sir Launcelot's sake I shall get you that 
child again, or else I shall be beaten for 
it. And so Sir Tristram took his horse, 
and asked the lady which way the knight 
rode. And then she told him. And he 
rode after him, and within a mile he 
overtook that knight. And then Sir Tris- 
tram bad him turn and give again the 
child. 

CHAP. XXI. 

JIow Sir Tristra??! rescued a child from a 
knight, and how Gonvernail told him of 
king Anguish. 

The knight turned his horse, and he 
made him ready for to fight. And then 
Sir Tristram smote him with a sword 
such a buffet that he tumbled to the 
earth. And then he yielded him unto 
Sir Tristram. Then come thy way, said 
Sir Tristram, and bring the child to 
the lady again. So he took his horse 
meekly and rode with Sir Tristram, and 
then by the way Sir Tristram asked him 
his name. Then he said, My name is 
Breuse Saunce Pite. So when he had 
deHvered that child to the lady he said. 
Sir, as in this tlie child is well remedied. 
Then Sir Tristram let him go again, 
that sore repented him after, for he was 



a great foe unto many good knights of 
king Arthur's court. Then when Sir 
Tristram was in his pavilion, Gouvernail 
his man came and told him how that 
king Anguish of Ireland was come thi- 
ther, and he was put in great distress, 
and there Gouvernail told Sir Tristram 
how king Anguish was summoned and 
appealed of murder. Truly, said Sir 
Tristram, these be the best tidings that 
ever came to me this seven year, for 
now shall the king of Ireland have need 
of my help, for I dare say there is no 
knight in this country that is not of 
Arthur's court dare do battle with Sir 
Blamor de Ganis, and for to win the 
love of the king of Ireland I will take 
the battle upon me, and therefore Gou- 
vernail bring me, I charge thee, to the 
king. Then Gouvernail went unto king 
Anguish of Ireland and saluted him fair. 
The king welcomed him and asked him 
what he would. Sir, said Gouvernail, 
here is a knight near hand that desireth 
to speak with you : he bad me say he 
would do you service. What knight is 
he, said the king. Sir, he said, it is Sir 
Tristram de Liones, that for your good 
grace ye shewed him in your lands 
will reward you in these countries. 
Come on fellow, said the king, with me 
anon, and shew me unto Sir Tristram. 
So the king took a little hackney and 
but few fellowship with him until he 
came unto Sir Tristram's pavilion. And 
when Sir Tristram saw the king, he ran 
unto him and would have holden his 
stirrup. But the king lept from his 
horse lightly, and either halsed other 
in arms. My gracious lord, said Sir 
Tristram, gramercy of your great good- 
nesses shewed unto me in your marches 
and lands : and at that time I pro- 
mised you to do my service and ever 
it lay in my power. And gentle knight, 
said the king unto Sir Tristram, now 
have 1 great need of you; never had 
I so great need of no knight's help. 
How so, my good lord? said sir Tris- 
tram. I shall tell you, said the king. I 
am summoned and appealed from my 
country for the death of a knight that 
was kin unto the good knight Sir Laun- 



CHAP. XXII. HOW TRISTRAM FOUGHT FOR KING ANGUISH. 



179 



celot, wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis, 
brother to Sir Bleoberis, hath appealed 
me to fight with him, other to find a 
knight in my stead. And well I wot, 
said the king, these that are come of 
king Ban's blood, as Sir Launcelot and 
these other, are passing good knights, 
and hard men for to win in battle as 
any that I know now living. Sir, said 
Sir Tristram, for the good lordship ye 
shewed me in Ireland, and for my lady 
your daughter's sake. La Beale Isoud, 
I will take the battle for you upon 
this condition that ye shall grant me 
tv/o things : that one is, that ye shall 
swear to me that ye are in the right, 
that ye were never consenting to the 
knight's death ; Sir, then, said Sir Tris- 
tram, when that I have done this battle, 
if God give me grace that I speed, that 
ye shall give me a reward, what thing 
reasonable that I will ask of you. Truly, 
said the king, ye shall have whatsoever 
ye will ask. It is well said, said Sir 
Tristram. 

CHAP. XXII. 
How Sir Tristram fought for Sir An- 
guish and overcame his adversary, and 
how his adversary would never yield 
him. 

Now make your answer that your 
champion is ready, for I shall die in 
your quarrel rather than to be recreant. 
I have no doubt of you, said the king, 
that and ye should have ado with Sir 
Launcelot du Lake. Sir, said Sir Tris- 
tram, as for Sir Launcelot, he is called 
the noblest knight of the world, and wit 
ye well that the knights of his blood are 
noble men and dread shame ; and as for 
Sir Bleoberis, brother to Sir Blamor, 
I have done battle with him, therefore 
upon my head it is no shame to call him 
a good knight. It is noised, said the 
king, that Blamor is the hardier knight. 
Sir, as for that, let him be, he shall 
never be refused, and as he were the 
best knight that now beareth shield or 
spear. So king Anguish departed unto 
king Carados and the kings that were 
that time as judges, and told them 
that he had found his champion ready. 



And then by the commandments of the 
kings Sir Blamor de Ganis and Sir 
Tristram were sent for, to hear the 
charge. And when they were come 
before the judges, there were many 
kings and knights beheld Sir Tris- 
tram, and much speech they had of 
him because he slew Sir Marhaus the 
good knight, and because he forjusted 
Sir Palamides the good knight. So 
when they had taken their charge they 
withdrew them for to make them ready 
to do battle. Then said Sir Bleoberis 
to his brother Sir Blamor, Fair dear 
brother, remember of what kin we be 
come of, and what a man is Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, neither further nor nearer 
but brothers' children, and there was 
never none of our kin that ever was 
shamed in battle, and rather suffer death, 
brother, than to be shamed. Brother, 
said Blamor, have ye no doubt of me, 
for I shall never shame none of my 
blood, how be it I am sure that yonder 
knight is called a passing good knight, 
as of his time one of the world, yet 
shall I never yield me, nor say the loth 
word : well may he happen to smite 
me down with his great might of chi- 
valry, but rather shall he slay me than 
I shall yield me as recreant. God speed 
you well, said Bleoberis, for ye shall 
find him the mightiest knight that ever 
ye had ado withall, for I know him, for I 
have had ado with him. God me speed, 
said Blamor de Ganis. And therewith 
he took his horse at the one end of 
the lists, and Sir Tristram at the other 
end of the lists, and so they feutred their 
spears and came together as it had been 
thunder, and there Sir Tristram through 
great might smote down Sir Blamor and 
his horse to 'the earth. Then apon Sir 
Blamor avoided his horse, and pulled 
out his sword and threw his shield afore 
him, and bad Sir Tristram alight ; for 
though an horse hath failed me, I trust 
the earth will not fail me. And then Sir 
Tristram alight and dressed him unto 
battle, and there they lashed together 
strongly as racing and tracing, foining 
and dashing many sad strokes, that the 
kings and knights had great wonder 



i8o 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



that they might stand, for ever they 
fought like wood men, so that there were 
never knights seen fight more fiercely 
than they did, for Sir Blamor was so 
hasty that he would have no rest, that 
all men wondered that they had breath 
to stand on their feet ; and all the place 
was bloody that they fought in. And at 
the last. Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamor 
such a buffet upon the helm that he 
there fell down upon his side, and Sir 
Tristram stood and beheld him. 



CHAP. XXIII. 

How Sir Blamor desired Tristram to slay 
him, and how Sir Tristram spared him, 
and how they took appointment. 

Theu when Sir Blamor might speak, 
he said thus : Sir Tristram de Liones, I 
require thee, as thou art a noble knight, 
and the best knight that ever I found, 
that thou wilt slay me out, for I would 
not live to be made lord of all the 
earth, for I had lever die with worship 
than live with shame; and needs. Sir 
Tristram, thou must slay me, or else 
thou shalt never win the field, for I will 
never say the loth word. And there- 
fore if thou dare slay me, slay me I 
require thee. When Sir Tristram heard 
him say so knightly, he wist not what 
to do with him; he remembering him 
of both parties ; of what blood he was 
come, and for Sir Launcelot's sake he 
would be full loth to slay him, and in 
the other party in no wise he might not 
choose but he must make him to say 
the loth word, or else to slay him. 
Then Sir Tristram start aback, and 
went to the kings that were judges, and 
there he kneeled down before them, 
and besought them for their worships, 
and for king Arthur's, and Sir Launce- 
lot's sake, that they would take this 
matter in their hands. For my fair 
lords, said Sir Tristram, it were shame 
and pity that this noble knight that 
yonder lieth should be slain, for ye 
hear well shamed will he not be, and I 
pray to God that he never be slain nor 
shamed for me. And as for the king 



for whom I fight for, I shall require 
him, as I am his true champion and true 
knight in this field, that he will have 
mercy upon this good knight. Truly, 
said king Anguish to Sir Tristram, I 
will for your sake be ruled as ye will 
have me. For I know you for my true 
knight. And therefore I will heartily 
pray the kings that be here as judges to 
take it in their hands. And the kings 
that were judges called Sir Bleoberis to 
them, and asked him his advice. My 
lords, said Bleoberis, though my brother 
be beaten, and hath the worse through 
might of arms, I dare say, though Sir 
Tristram hath beaten his body he hath 
not beaten his heart, and I thank God, he 
is not shamed this day. And rather than 
he should be shamed I require you, said 
Bleoberis, let Sir Tristram slay him out. 
It shall not be so, said the kings, for his 
part adversary, both the king and the 
champion, have pity of Sir Blamor's 
knighthood. My lords, said Bleoberis, 
I will right well as ye will. 

Then the kings called the king of 
Ireland, and found him good and treat- 
able. And then, by all their advices. Sir 
Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir 
Blamor, and the two brethren were ac- 
corded with king Anguish, and kissed 
and made friends for ever. And then 
Sir Blamor and Sir Tristram kissed to- 
gether, and there they made their oaths 
that they would never none of them 
two brethren fight with Sir Tristram, 
and Sir Tristram made the same oath. 
And for that gentle battle all the blood 
of Sir Launcelot loved Sir Tristram for 
ever. 

Then king Anguish and Sir Tristram 
took their leave, and sailed into Ireland 
with great nobleness and joy. So when 
Ihey were in Ireland the king let make 
it known throughout all the land, how 
and in what manner Sir Tristram had 
done for him. Then the queen and all 
that there were made the most of him 
that they might. But the joy that La 
Beale Isoud made of Sir Tristram there 
might no tongue tell, for of men earthly 
she loved him most. 



CHAP. XXIV. TRISTRAM DEMANDS ISOUD FOR KING MARK. 



i8i 



CHAP, XXIV. 

Hoiu Sir Tristram demanded La Beale 
Isoiid for king Marhy and bov> Sir 
Tristram and Isoud drank the love 
drink. 

Then upon a clay kingf Anguish asked 
Sir Tristram why he asked not his 
boon, for whatsoever he had promised 
him he should have it without fail. 
Sir, said Sir Tristram, now is it time, 
this is all that I will desire, that ye will 
give me La Beale Isoud your daughter, 
not for myself, but for mine uncle king 
Mark, that shall have her to wife, for 
so have I promised him. Alas, said 
the king, I had lever than all the 
land that I have ye would wed her 
yourself. Sir, and I did, then were 
I shamed for ever in this world, and 
false of my promise. Therefore, said 
Sir Tristram, I pray you hold your 
promise that ye promised me, for this 
is my desire, that ye will give me La 
Beale Isoud to go with me into Corn- 
wall, for to be wedded to king Mark 
mine uncle. As for that, said king 
Anguish, ye shall have her with you, 
to do with her what it please you, 
that is for to say if that ye list to wed 
her yourself, that is to me levest : and 
if ye will give her unto king Mark your 
imcle, that is in your choice. 

So to make a short conclusion. La 
Beale Isoud was made ready to go with 
Sir Tristram, and dame Bragwaine went 
with her for her chief gentlewoman, 
with many other. Then the queen, 
Isoud's mother, gave to her and dame 
Bragwaine, her daughter's gentlewoman, 
and unto Gouvernail, a drink, and charged 
them that what day king Mark should 
wed, that same day they should give 
him that drink, so that king Mark 
should drink to La Beale Isoud ; and 
then, said the queen, I undertake either 
shall love other the days of their life. 
So this drink was given unto dame 
Bragwaine and unto Gouvernail. And 
then anon Sir Tristram took the sea 
and La Beale Isoud; and when they 
were in their cabin, it happed so that 



they were thirsty, and they saw a little 
flacket of gold stand by them, and it 
seemed by the colour and the taste that 
it was noble wine. Then Sir Tristram 
took the flacket in his hand, and said. 
Madam Isoud, here is the best drink 
that ever ye drank, that dame Brag- 
waine your maiden, and Gouvernail my 
servant, have kept for themselves. Then 
they laughed and made good cheer, and 
either drank to other freely, and they 
thought never drink that ever they 
drank to other was so sweet nor so 
good. But by that their drink was in 
their bodies, they loved either other so 
well that never their love departed for 
weal neither for woe. And thus it hap- 
ped the love first betwixt Sir Tristram 
and La Beale Isoud, the which love never 
departed the days of their life. So then 
they sailed till by fortune they came 
nigh a castle that hight Pluere, and 
thereby arrived for to repose them, 
weening to them to have had good 
harbourage. But anon as Sir Tristram 
was within the castle they were taken 
prisoners, for the custom of the castle 
was such, who that rode by that castle, 
and brought any lady, he must needs 
fight with the lord, that hight Breunor. 
And if it were so that Breunor wan the 
field, then the knight stranger and his 
lady he put to death, what that ever 
they were ; and if it were so that the 
strange knight wan the field of Sir 
Breunor, then should he die and his 
lady both. This custom was used many 
winters, for it was called the Castle 
Pluere, that is to say the weeping 
castle. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How Sir Tristram and Isoud were in 

prison, and how he fought for her 

beauty, and smot2 off another lady's 
head. 

Thus as Sir Tristram and La Beale 
Isoud were in prison, it happed a 
knight and a lady came unto them 
where they were, to cheer them. I 
have marvel, said Tristram unto the 
knight and the lady, what is the cause 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



the lord of this castle holdeth us in 
prison : it was never the custom of no 
place of worship that ever I came in, 
that when a knight and a lady asked 
harbour, and they to receive them, and 
after to destroy them that be his guests. 
Sir, said the knight, this is the old 
custom of this castle, that when a 
knight cometh here, he must needs 
fight with our lord, and he that is the 
weaker must lose his head. And when 
that is done, if his lady that he bringeth 
be fouler than our lord's wife, she must 
lose her head : and if she be fairer 
proved than is our lady, then shall the 
lady of this castle lose her head. Now, 
said Sir Tristram, this is a foul custom 
and a shameful. But one advantage 
have I, said Sir Tristram, I have a lady 
is fair enough, fairer saw I never in all 
my life days, and I doubt not for lack 
of beauty she shall not lose her head, 
and rather than I should lose my head 
I will fight for it on a fair field. 
Wherefore, sir knight, I pray you tell 
your lord that I will be ready as to- 
morn with my lady, and myself to 
battle, if it be so I may have my horse 
and mine armour. Sir, said that knight, 
I undertake that your desire shall be 
sped right well. 

And then he said, Take your rest, 
and look that ye be up by times to 
make you ready and your lady, for ye 
shall want no thing that you behoveth. 
And therewith he departed, and on the 
morn betimes that same knight came 
to Sir Tristram and fetched him out 
and his lady, and brought him horse 
and armour that was his own, and bad 
him make him ready to the field, for all 
the estates and commons of that lord- 
ship were there ready to behold that 
battle and judgment. Then came Sir 
Breunor, the lord of that castle, with 
his lady in his hand muffled, and asked 
Sir Tristram where was his lady : — For 
and thy lady be fairer than mine, with 
thy sword smite off my lady's head, and 
if my lady be fairer than thine, with my 
sword I must strike off her head. And 
if I may win thee, yet shall thy lady be 
mine, and thou shalt lose thy head. 



Sir, said Tristram, this is a foul custom 
and horrible ; and rather than my lady 
should lose her head, yet had 1 lever 
lose my head. Nay, nay, said Sir Breu- 
nor, the ladies shall be first shewed 
together, and the one shall have her 
judgment. Nay, I will not so, said Sir 
Tristram, for here is none that will give 
righteous judgment. But I doubt not, 
said Sir Tristram, my lady is fairer than 
thine, and that will I prove and make 
good with my hand. And whosoever 
he be that will say the contrary I will 
prove it on his head. And therewith 
Sir Tristram shewed La Beale Isoud, 
and turned her thrice about with his 
naked sword in his hand. And when 
Sir Breunor saw that, he did the same 
wise turn his lady. But when Sir 
Breunor beheld La Beale Isoud, him 
thought he never saw a fairer lady, and 
then he dread his lady's head should be 
off. And so all the people that were 
there present gave judgment that La 
Beale Isoud was the fairer lady, and the 
better made. How now, said Sir Tris- 
tram, me seemeth it were pity that my 
lady should lose her head, but because 
that thou and she of long time have 
used this wicked custom, and by you 
both there have many good knights and 
ladies been destroyed, for that cause it 
were no loss to destroy you both. 
Truly, said Sir Breunor, for to say the 
sooth, thy lady is fairer than mine, and 
that me sore repenteth. And so I hear 
the people privily say ; for of all women 
I saw none so fair, and therefore if 
thou wilt slay my lady, I doubt not but 
I shall slay thee and have thy lady. 
Thou shalt win her, said Sir Tristram, 
as dear as ever knight won lady, and 
because of thine own judgment, as thou 
wouldest have done to my lady if that 
she had been fouler, and because of the 
evil custom, give mc thy lady, said 
Tristram. And therewithall Sir Tris- 
tram strode unto him and took his lady 
from him, and with an awk stroke he 
smote off her head clean. Well knight, 
said Sir Breunor, now hast thou done 
me a despite. 



CHAP. XXVII. 



OF TRISTRAM AT THE CASTLE PLUERE. 



183 



CHAP. XXVI. 

Hoiv Sir Tristram fought with Sir Bren- 
ner, and at the last smote off his 
head. 

Now take thy horse : since I am lady- 
less I will win thy lady and I may. 
Then they took their horses and came 
together as it had been the thunder ; and 
Sir Tristram smote Sir Breunor clean 
from his horse, and lightly he rose up ; 
and as Sir Tristram came again by him 
he thrust his horse throughout both the 
shoulders, that his horse hurled here and 
there and fell dead to the ground. And 
ever Sir Breunor ran after to have slain 
Sir Tristram, but Sir Tristram was light 
and nimble and voided his horse lightly. 
And or ever Sir Tristram might dress 
his shield and his sword, the other gave 
him three or four sad strokes. Then 
they rushed together like two boars, 
tracing and traversing mightily and 
wisely as two noble knights. For this 
Sir Breunor was a proved knight, and 
had been, or then, the death of many 
good knights, that it was pity that he 
had so long endured. Thus they fought, 
hurling here and there nigh two hours, 
and either were wounded sore. Then 
at the last Sir Breunor rushed upon Sir 
Tristram, and took him in his arms, for 
he trusted much in his strength. Then 
was Sir Tristram called the strongest 
and the highest knight of the v.'orld, for 
he was called bigger than Sir Launcelot, 
but Sir Launcelot was better breathed. 
So anon Sir Tristram thrust Sir Breunor 
down groveling, and then he unlaced 
his helm and strake off his head. And 
then all they that longed to the castle 
came to him and did him homage and 
fealty, praying him that he would abide 
there still a little while to fordo that 
foul custom. Sir Tristram granted 
thereto. The meanwhile one of the 
knights of the castle rode unto Sir 
Galahad, the haut prince, the which 
was Sir Breunor's son, which was a 
noble knight, and told him what mis- 
adventure his father had and his 
mother. 



CHAP. XXVII. 

How Sir Galahad fought with Sir Tris- 
tram, and how Sir Tristram yielded 
him and promised to fellowship with 
Launcelot. 

Then came Sir Galahad and the king 
with the hundred knights with him, and 
this Sir Galahad proftered to fight with 
Sir Tristram hand for hand. And so 
they made them ready to go unto battle 
on horseback with great courage. Then 
Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram met to- 
gether so hard that either bare other 
down, horse and all, to the earth. And 
then they avoided their horses as noble 
knights, and dressed their shields and 
drew their swords with ire and ran- 
cour, and they lashed together many 
sad strokes, and one while striking, 
another while foining, tracing and tra- 
versing as noble knights, thus they 
fought long, near half a day, and either 
were sore wounded. At the last Sir 
Tristram waxed light and big, and 
doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Gala- 
had aback on the one side and on the 
other, so that he was like to have been 
slain. With that came the king with 
the hundred knights, and all that fellow-, 
ship went fiercely upon Sir Tristram. 
When Sir Tristram saw them coming 
upon him, then he wist well he might 
not endure. Then as a wise knight 
of war, he said to Sir Galahad the 
haut prince. Sir, ye shew to me no 
knighthood, for to sufter all your men 
to have ado with me all at once, and as 
me seemeth ye be a noble knight of 
your hands, it is a great shame to you. 
Truly, said Sir Galahad, there is none 
other way but thou must yield thee to 
me, other else to die, said Sir Galahad 
to Sir Tristram. I will rather yield me 
to you than die, for that is more for 
the might of your men than for the 
might of your hands. And therewith 
Sir Tristram took his own sword by 
the point, and put the pommel in the 
hand of Sir Galahad. Therewithall 
came the king with the hundred 
knights, and hard began to assail Sir 
Tristram. Let be, said Sir Galahad, be 



184 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



ye not so hardy to touch him, for I 
have given this knight his Jife. That 
is your shame, said the king with the 
hundred knights ; hath he not slain your 
father and your mother ? As for that, 
said Sir Galahad, I may not blame him 
greatly, for my father had him in prison, 
and enforced him to do battle with him, 
and my father had such a custom, that 
was a shameful custom, that what knight 
came there to ask harbour, his lady 
must needs die but if she were fairer 
than my mother, and if my father over- 
came that knight he must needs die. 
This was a shameful custom and usage, 
a knight for his harbour asking to have 
such harbourage. And for this custom 
I would never draw about him. Truly, 
said the king, this was a shameful cus- 
tom. Yea, said Sir Galahad, so seemed 
me, and me seemed it had been great 
pity that this knight should have been 
slain, for I dare say he is the noblest 
man that beareth life, but if it were Sir 
Launcelot du Lake. Now fair knight, 
said Sir Galahad, I require thee tell me 
thy name, and of whence thou art, and 
whither thou wilt. Sir, he said, my 
name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and 
from king Mark of Cornwall I was 
sent on message unto king Anguish of 
Ireland, for to fetch his daughter to be 
his wife, and here she is ready to go 
with me into Cornwall, and her name 
is La Beale Isoud. And Sir Tristram, 
said Sir Galahad the haut prince, well 
be ye found in these marches, and so ye 
will promise me to go unto Sir Launce- 
lot du Lake and accompany with him, 
ye shall go where ye will, and your fair 
lady with you. And I shall promise 
you never in all my days shall such cus- 
toms be used in this castle as have been 
used. Sir, said Sir Tristram, now I let 
you wit I wend ye had been Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake when I saw you first, 
and, therefore I dread you the more ; 
and Sir, I promise you, said Sir Tris- 
tram, as soon as I may I will see Sir 
Launcelot and enfellowship me with 
him, for of all the knights of the world 
I most desire his fellowship. 



CHAP. XXVIIL 

How Sir Launcelot met with Sir Carados 
bearing away Sir Gawaine, and of the 
rescue of Sir Gawaine. 

And then Sir Tristram took his leave 
when he saw his time, and took the sea. 
And in the mean while word came unto 
Sir Launcelot and to Sir Tristram that 
Sir Carados the mighty king, that was 
made like a giant, had fought with Sir 
Gawaine, and gave him such strokes 
that he swooned in his saddle, and after 
that he took him by the collar and 
pulled him out of his saddle, and fast 
bound him to the saddle bow, and so 
rode his way with him towards his 
castle. And as he rode, by fortune 
Sir Launcelot met with Sir Carados, 
and anon he knew Sir Gawaine that 
lay bound after him. Ah, said Sir 
Launcelot unto Sir Gawaine, how 
stands it with you ? Never so hard, 
said Sir Gawaine, unless that ye help 
me, for without ye rescue me I know 
no knight that may, but either you or 
Sir Tristram. Wherefore Sir Launcelot 
was heavy of Sir Gawaine's words. 
And then Sir Launcelot bad Sir Cara- 
dos, Lay down that knight, and fight 
with me. Thou art but a fool, said 
Sir Carados, for I will serve you in the 
same wise. As for that, said Sir Laun- 
celot, spare me not, for I warn thee I 
will pot spare thee. And then he bound 
Sir Gawaine hand and foot, and so 
threw him to the ground. And then he 
gat his spear of his Squire and departed 
from Sir Launcelot to fetch his course. 
And so either met with other, and brake 
their spears to their hands, and then 
they pulled out swords and hurtled 
together on horseback more than an 
hour. And at the last Sir Launcelot 
smote Sir Carados such a buffet upon 
the helm that it perched his brain-pan. 
So then Sir Launcelot took Sir Carados 
by the collar and pulled him under his 
horse feet, and then he alight and pulled 
off his helm and strake off his head. 
And then Sir Launcelot unbound Sir 
Gawaine. So this same tale was told 
to Sir GaUhad and to Sir Tristram : — 



CHAP. XXIX, 



OF THE WEDDING OF KING MARK. 



iSr, 



here may ye hear the nobleness that 
followeth Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir 
Tristram, and I had not this message in 
hand with this fair lady, truly I would 
never stint or I had found Sir Launce- 
lot. Then Sir Tristram and La Beale 
Isoud went to the sea and came into 
Cornwall, and there all the barons met 
them. 

CHAP. XXIX. 

0/ the wedding of king Mark to La Beale 
Isotid, and of Bragwaine her maid, and 
of Palamides. 

And anon they were richly wedded 
with great nobley. But ever, as the 
French book saith. Sir Tristram and La 
Beale Isoud loved ever together. 

Then was there great justs and great 
tourneying, and many lords and ladies 
were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was 
most praised of all other. Thus dured 
the feast long, and after the feast was 
done, within a little while after, by the 
assent of two ladies that were with queen 
Isoud, they ordained for hate and envy 
to destroy dame Bragwaine, that was 
maiden and lady unto La Beale Isoud, and 
she was sent into the forest for to fetch 
herbs, and there she was met, and bound 
feet and hand to a tree, and so she was 
bounden three days. And by fortune Sir 
Palamides found dame Bragwaine and 
there he delivered her from the death, 
and brought her to a nunnery there 
beside to be recovered. When Isoud 
the queen missed her maiden wit ye well 
she was right heavy as ever was any 
queen, for of all earthly women she 
loved her best, the cause was for she 
came with her out of her country. 

And so upon a day the queen Isoud 
walked into the forest to put away her 
thoughts, and there she went herself 
unto a well and made great moan. 
And suddenly there came Sir Palamides 
to her, and had heard all her complaint, 
and said, Madame Isoud, and if ye will 
grant me my boon I shall bring to you 
dame Bragwaine safe and sound. And 
the queen was so glad of his proffer that 
suddenly unadvised she granted all his 
asking. Well madam, said Sir Pala- 



mides, I trust to your promise, and if 
ye will abide here half an hour I shall 
bring her to you. I shall abide you, 
said La Beale Isoud. Then Sir Pala- 
mides rode forth his way to that nun- 
nery, and lightly he came again with 
dame Brag^vaine ; but by her good will 
she would not have come again, because 
for love of the queen she stood in ad- 
venture of her life. Notwithstanding, 
half against her will, she went with Sir 
Palamides unto the queen. And when 
the queen saw her she was passing glad. 
Now madam, said Palamides, remember 
upon your promise, for I have fulfilled 
my promise. Sir Palamides, said the 
queen, I wot not what is your desire, 
but I will that ye wit howbeit I promised 
you largely I thought none evil, nor I 
warn you none ill will I do. Madam, 
said Sir Palamides, as at this time ye 
shall not know my desire, but before my 
lord your husband there shall ye know 
that I will have my desire that ye have 
promised me. And therewith the queen 
departed and rode home to the king, 
and Sir Palamides rode after her. And 
when Sir Palamides came before the 
king he said. Sir king, I require you as 
ye be a righteous king, that ye will 
judge me the right. Tell me the cause, 
said the king, and ye shall have right. 

CHAP. XXX. 

Hoiu Palaynides demanded queen Isoud, 
and how Lambegus rode after to rescue- 
her, and of the escape of Isoud. 

Sir, said Palamides, I promised your 
queen Isoud to bring again dame Brag- 
waine that she had lost, upon this cove- 
nant, that she should grant me a boon 
that I would ask, and without grudging 
other advisement she granted me. \\ hat 
say ye, my lady? said the king. It is 
truly as he saith, said the queen, to say 
the sooth I promised him his asking for 
love and joy that I had to see her. Well 
madam, said the king, and if ye were 
hasty to grant him what boon he would 
ask, I will well that ye perform your 
promise. Then said Sir Palamides, I 
will that ye wit that I will have your 



1 86 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



queen to lead her and govern her 
where as me list. Therewith the king 
stood still, and bethought him of Sir 
Tristram, and deemed that he would 
rescue her. And then hastdy the king 
answered. Take her with the adventures 
that shall fall of it, for Sir Palamides as 
I suppose thou wilt not keep her no 
while. As for that, said Sir Palamides, 
I dare right well abide the adventure. 
And so to make short tale. Sir Pala- 
mides took her by the hand and said, 
Madam, grudge not to go with me, 
for I desire nothing but your own 
promise. As for that, said the queen, I 
fear not greatly to go with thee, howbeit 
thou hast me at advantage upon my 
promise. For I doubt not I shall be 
worshipfully rescued from thee. As for 
that, said Sir Palamides, be it as it be 
may. So queen Isoud was set behind 
Palamides, and rode his way. Anon the 
king sent after Sir Tristram, but in no 
wise he could be found, for he was in 
the forest an hunting ; for that was al- 
ways his custom, but if he used arms, to 
chase and to hunt in the forests. Alas, 
said the king, now I am shamed for 
ever, that by mine own assent my lady 
and my queen shall be devoured. Then 
came forth a knight, his name was Lam- 
begus, and he was a knight of Sir Tris- 
tram. My lord, said this knight, sith ye 
have trust in my lord Sir Tristram, wit 
ye well for his sake I will ride after your 
queen and rescue her, or else I shall be 
beaten. Gramercy, said the king, and I 
live. Sir Lambegus, I shall deserve it. 
And then Sir Lambegus armed him, and 
rode after as fast as he might. And 
then within awhile he overtook Sir 
Palamides : and then Sir Palamides left 
the queen. What art thou? said Sir 
Palamides, art thou Tristram ? Nay, he 
said, I am his servant, and my name is 
Sir Lambegus. That me repenteth, said 
Sir Palamides, I had lever thou hadst 
been Sir Tristram. I believe you well, 
said Sir Lambegus, but when thou 
meetest with Sir Tristram thou shalt 
have thy hands full. And then they 
hurtled together and all to-brast their 
spears, and then they pulled out their 



swords and hewed on helms and hau- 
berks. At the last Sir Palamides gave 
Sir Lambegus such a wound that he 
fell down like a dead knight to the 
earth. Then he looked after La Beale 
Isoud, and then she was gone he nist 
where. Wit ye well Sir Palamides 
was never so heavy. So the queen ran 
into the forest, and there she found a 
well, and therein she had thought to 
have drowned herself. And as good 
fortune would, there came a knight to 
her that had a castle thereby, his name 
was Sir Adtherp. And when he found 
the queen in that mischief he rescued 
her, and brought her to his castle. 
And when he wist what she was, he 
armed him and took his horse, and said 
he would be avenged upon Palamides, 
and so he rode till he met with him, and 
there Sir Palamides wounded him sore, 
and by force he made him to tell him 
the cause why he did battle with him, 
and how he had led the queen unto 
his castle. Now bring me there, said 
Palamides, or thou shalt die of my 
hands. Sir, said Sir Adtherp, I am so 
wounded I may not follow, but ride you 
this way, and it shall bring you into my 
castle, and there within is the queen. 
And then Sir Palamides rode still till 
he came to the castle, and at a window 
La Beale Isoud saw Sir Palamides, then 
she made the gates to be shut strongly. 
And when he saw he might not come 
within the castle, he put off his bridle 
and his saddle, and put his horse to 
pasture, and set himself down at the 
gate like a man that was out of his 
wit that recked not of himself. 

CHAP. XXXI. 

How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, 
ajid how he found hint and fought with 
him, and by the mean of Isoud the 
battle ceased. 

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that 
when he was come home and wist 
La Beale Isoud was gone with Sir Pala- 
mides, wit ye well he was wroth out of 
measure. Alas, said Sir Tristram, I am 
this day shamed. Then he cried to Gou- 



CHAP. XXXt. 



HOW TRISTRAM RESCUED ISOUD. 



187 



vernail his man, Haste thee that I were 
armed and on horseback, for well I wot 
Lambegus hath no might nor strength 
to withstand Sir Palamides : alas, that 
I had not been in his stead. So anon as 
he was armed and horsed Sir Tristram 
and Gouvernail rode after into the forest, 
and within a while he found his knight 
Lambegus almost wounded to the death, 
and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, 
and cliarged him to keep him well. And 
then he rode forth, and there he found 
Sir Adtherp sore wounded, and he told 
him how the queen would have drowned 
herself and he had not been, and how 
for her sake and love he had taken upon 
him to do battle with Sir Palamides, 
\Vhere is my lady? said Sir Tristram. 
Sir, said the knight, she is sure enough 
within my castle, and she can hold her 
within it. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, 
of thy great goodness. And so he rode 
till he came nigh to that castle, and 
then Sir Tristram saw where Sir Pala- 
mides sat at the gate sleeping, and his 
horse pastured fast afore him. Now go 
thou Gouvernail, said Sir Tristram, and 
bid him awake and make him ready. So 
Gouvernail rode unto him and said. Sir 
Palamides, arise and take to thee thine 
harness. But he was in such a study 
that he heard not what Gouvernail said. 
So Gouvernail came again and told Sir 
Tristram that he slept, or else he was 
mad. Go thou again, said Sir Tristram, 
and bid him arise, and tell him that I 
am here his mortal foe. So Gouvernail 
rode again and put upon him the butt 
of his spear, and said, Sir Palamides 
make thee ready, for wit ye well Sir 
Tristram hoveth yonder, and sendeth 
thee word he is thy mortal foe. And 
therewithal Sir Palamides arose stilly 
without words, and gat his horse and 
saddled him and bridled him, and lightly 
he lept upon him, and gat his spear in 
his hand, and either feutred their spears, 
and hurtled fast together ; and there Sir 
Tristram smote down Sir Palamides 
over his horse tail. Then lightly Sir 
Palamides put his shield afore him 
and drew his sword, and there began 
strong battle on both parties, for both 



they fought for the love of one lady, 
and ever she lay on the walls and be- 
held them how they fought out of 
measure, and either were wounded pass- 
ing sore, but Palamides was much sorer 
wounded. Thus they fought tracing and 
traversing more than two hours, that 
well nigh for dole and sorrow La Beale 
Isoud swooned. Alas, said she, that one 
I loved and yet do, and the other I love 
not, yet it were great pity that I should 
see Sir Palamides slain, for well I know 
by that time the end be done Sir Pala- 
mides is but a dead knight, and because 
he is not christened 1 would be loth 
that he should die a Saracen, And 
therewithal she came down and be- 
sought Sir Tristram to fight no more. 
Ah madam, said he, what mean you ? 
will ye have me shamed ? Well ye 
know I will be ruled by you. I will 
not your dishonour, said La Beale 
Isoud, but I would that ye would, for 
my sake spare this unhappy Saracen 
Palamides. Madam, said Sir Tristram, 
I will leave fighting at this time for 
your sake. 

Then she said to Sir Palamides : This 
shall be your charge, that thou shalt go 
out of this country while I am therein. 
I will obey your commandment, said Sir 
Palamides, the which is sore against my 
will. Then take thy way, said La Beale 
Isoud, unto the court of king Arthur, 
and there recommend me unto queen 
Guenever, and tell her that I send her 
word that there be within the land but 
four lovers, that is Sir Launcelot du 
Lake and queen Guenever, and Sir Tris- 
tram de Liones and queen Isoud. 

CHAP. XXXIL 

How Sir Tristram brought qtieen Isoud 
home, and of the debate of king Mark 
and Sir Tristram. 

And so Sir Palamides departed with 
great heaviness. And Sir Tristram took 
the queen and brought her again to 
king Mark, and then was there made 
great joy of her home coming. Who 
was cherished but Sir Tristram ! Then 
Sir Tristram let fetch Sir Lambegus his 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



knight from the forester's house, and it 
was long or he was whole, but at the 
last he was well recovered. Thus they 
lived with joy and play a long while. 
But ever Sir Andred, that was nigh 
cousin unto Sir Tristram, lay in a 
watch to wait betwixt Sir Tristram and 
La Beale Isoud, for to take them and 
slander them. So upon a day Sir Tris- 
tram talked with La Beale Isoud in a 
window, and that espied Sir Andred, 
and told it to the king. Then king 
Mark took a sword in his hand and 
came to Sir Tristram, and called him 
false traitor, and would have stricken 
him. But Sir Tristram was nigh him, 
and ran under his sword, and took it out 
of his hand. And then the king cried, 
Where are my knights and my men ? I 
charge you slay this traitor. But at 
that time there was not one would 
move for his words. When Sir Tris- 
tram saw there was not one would be 
against him, he shook the sword to the 
king, and made countenance as though 
he would have stricken him. And then 
king Mark fled, and Sir Tristram fol- 
lowed him, and smote upon him five or 
six strokes flatling on the neck that 
he made him to fall upon the nose. 
And then Sir Tristram went his way 
and armed him, and took his horse and 
his man, and so he rode into that forest. 
And there upon a day Sir Tristram met 
with two brethren that were knights 
with king Mark, and there he strake off 
the head of the one, and wounded the 
other to the death, and he made him to 
bear his brother's head in his helm 
unto the king, and thirty more there he 
wounded. And when that knight came 
before the king to say his message, he 
there died afore the king and the queen. 
Then king Mark called his council unto 
him and asked advice of his barons what 
was best to do with Sir Tristram. Sir, 
said the barons, in especial Sir Dinas 
the seneschal. Sir, we will give you 
counsel for to send for Sir Tristram, for 
we will that ye wit many men will hold 
with Sir Tristram and he were hard 
bested. And sir, said Sir Dinas, ye 
shall understand that Sir Tristram is 



called peerless and matchless of any 
christian knight, and of his might and 
his hardiness we knew none so good a 
knight, but if it be Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. And if he depart from your court 
and go to king Arthur's court, wit ye 
well he will get him such friends there 
that he will not set by your mahce. 
And therefore, sir, I counsel you to take 
him to your grace. I will well, said the 
king, that he be sent for, that we may 
be friends. Then the barons sent for Sir 
Tristram under a safe conduct. And so 
when Sir Tristram game to the king, he 
was welcome, and no rehearsal was 
made, and there was game and play. 
And then the king and the queen went 
on hunting, and Sir Tristram. 

CHAP. XXXIIL 

How Sir Lamorak justed with thirty 
knights, and Sir Tristram at request of 
hing Mark smote his horse down. 

The king and the queen made their 

Eavilions and their tents in that forest 
eside a river, and there was daily hunt- 
ing and justing, for there were ever thirty 
knights ready to just unto all them that 
came in at that time. And there by for- 
tune came Sir Lamorak de Galis and 
Sir Priant, and there Sir Driant justed 
right well, but at the last he had a fall. 
Then Sir Lamorak proffered to just. 
And when he began he fared so with 
the thirty knights that there was not 
one of them but that he gave him a fall, 
and some of them were sore hurt. I 
rnarvel, said king Mark, what knight he 
^5 that doth such deeds of arms. Sir, 
said Sir Tristram, I know him for a 
noble knight as few now be living, and 
his name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. It 
were great shame, said the king, that he 
should go thus away, unless that some 
of you met with him better. Sir, said Sir 
Tristram, me seemeth it were no wor- 
ship for a noble man for to have ado 
with him ; and for because at this time 
he hath done overmuch for any mean 
knight living, therefore, as me seemeth, 
it were great shame and villainy to tempt 
him any more at this time, insomuch as 



CHAP. XXXIII. 



OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR LAMORAK. 



189 



he and his horse are weary both ; for 
the deeds of amis that he hath done 
this day, and they be well considered, 
were enough for Sir Launcelot du Lake. 
As for that, said king Mark, I re- 
quire you as ye love me and my lady 
the queen La Beale Isoud, take your 
arms and just with Sir Lamorak de 
Galis. Sir, said Sir Tristram, ye bid me 
do a thing that is against knighthood, 
and well I can deem that I shall give 
him a fall, for it is no mastery, for my 
horse and I be fresh both, and so is not 
his horse and he ; and wit ye well that 
he will take it for great unkindness, for 
ever one good is loth to take another at 
disadvantage. But because I will not 
displease you, as ye require me so will 
I do, and obey your commandment. 
And so Sir Tristram armed him anon 
and took his horse, and put him 
forth, and there Sir Lamorak met him 
mightily, and what with the might of 
his own spear, and of Sir Tristram's 
spear. Sir Lamorak's horse fell to the 
earth, and he sitting in the saddle. Then 
anon as lightly as he might he avoided 
the saddle and his horse, and put his 
shield afore him, and drew his sword. 
And then he bad Sir Tristram, Alight, 
thou knight, and thou darest. Nay, said 
Sir Tristram, I will no more have ado 
with thee, for I have done to thee over- 
much unto my dishonour, and to thy 
worship. As for that, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, I can thee no thank : since thou 
hast forjusted me on horseback, I re- 
quire thee, and I beseech thee, and thou 
be Sir Tristram, fight with me on foot. 
I will not so, said Sir Tristram ; and wit 
ye well my name is Sir Tristram de 
Liones, and well I know ye be Sir 
Lamorak de Galis, and this that I have 
done to you was against my will, but I 
was required thereto; but to say that 
I will do at your request as at this time, 
I will have no more ado with you, for 
me shameth of that I have done. As 
for the shame, said Sir Lamorak, on 
thy part or on mine, bear thou it and 
thou wilt, for though a mare's son hath 
failed me, now a queen's son shall not 
fail thee ; and therefore, and thou be 



such a knight as men call thee, I require 
thee, alight, and fight with me. Sir La- 
morak, said Sir Tristram, I understand 
your heart is great, and cause why ye 
have, to say the sooth: for it would grieve 
me and any knight should keep himself 
fresh and then to strike down a weary 
knight, for that knight nor horse was 
never formed that alway might stand 
or endure. And therefore, said Sir 
Tristram, I will not have ado with you, 
for me forthinketh of that I have done. 
As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I shall 
quit you and ever I see my time. 

CHAP. XXXIV. 

How Sir Lamorak sent an born to king 
Mark in despite of Sir Tristram, and 
bow Sir Tristratn was driven into a 
chapel. 

So he departed from him with Sir 
Driant, and by the way they met with 
a knight that was sent from Morgan 
le Fay unto king Arthur, and this 
knight had a fair horn harnessed with 
gold, and the horn had such a virtue 
that there might no lady nor gentle- 
woman drink of that horn but if she 
were true to her husband, and if she 
were false she should spill all the drink, 
and if she were true to her lord she 
might drink peaceably. And because 
of queen Guenever, and in the despite 
of Sir Launcelot, this horn was sent 
unto king Arthur, and by force Sir 
Lamorak made that knight to tell all 
the cause why he bare that horn. Now 
shalt thou bear this horn, said La- 
morak unto king Mark, or else choose 
thou to die for it. For I tell thee plainly, 
in despite and reproof of Sir Tristram 
thou shalt bear that horn unto king 
Mark his uncle, and say thou to him 
that I sent it him for to assay his lady, 
and if she be true to him he shall prove 
her. So the knight went his way unto 
king Mark, and brought him that rich 
horn, and said that Sir Lamorak sent 
it him, and thereto he told him the 
virtue of that horn. Then the king 
made queen Isoud to drink thereof, and 
an hundred ladies, and there were but 



1 90 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



four ladies of all those that drank clean. 
Alas, said king Mark, thjs is a great 
despite ; and sware a great oath that she 
should be burnt, and the other ladies. 
Then the barons gathered them to- 
gether, and said plainly, they would not 
have those ladies burnt for an horn 
made by sorcery, that came from as 
false a sorceress and witch as then was 
living. For that horn did never good, 
but caused strife and debate, and always 
in her days she had been an enemy to 
all true lovers. So there were many 
knights made their avow, if ever they 
met with Morgan le Fay that they 
would shew her short courtesy. Also 
Sir Tristram was passing wroth that 
Sir Lamorak sent that horn unto king 
Mark, for well he knew that it was done 
in the despite of him ; and therefore he 
thought to quit Sir Lamorak. Then, 
always, Sir Tristram used to go to 
queen Isoud when he might, and ever 
Sir Andred his cousin watched him night 
and day, for to take him with La Beale 
Isoud. And so, upon a day, Sir Andred 
his cousirj espied the hour and the time 
when Sir Tristram went to his lady. 
And then Sir Andred gat unto him twelve 
knights, and he set upon Sir Tristram 
secretly and suddenly, and there Sir Tris- 
tram was taken with La Beale Isoud, 
and then was he bound hand and foot, 
and so was he kept until the next day. 
And then by assent of king Mark, and of 
Sir Andred, and of some of the barons. 
Sir Tristram was led unto a chapel which 
stood upon the sea rocks, there for to 
take his judgrnent ; and so he was led 
bound with forty knights. And when 
Sir Tristram saw there was pone other 
remedy but needs that he must die, then 
said he, Fair lords, remember what I 
have done for the country of Cornwall, 
and in what jeopardy I have been in for 
the weal of you all. For when I fought 
for the truage of Cornwall with Sir 
Marhaus the good knight, I was pro- 
mised for to be better rewarded, when 
ye all refused to take the battle ; there- 
fore, as ye be good gentle knights, see 
me not thus shamefully to die, for it is 
shame to all knighthood thus to see me 



die. For I dare well say, said Sir Tris- 
tram, that I never yet met with no 
knight but I was as good as he, or 
better. Fie upon thee, said Sir Andred, 
false traitor that thou art with thy vaunt- 
ing, for all thy boast thou shalt die this 
day. O Andred, Andred, said Sir Tris- 
tram, thou shouldst be my kinsman, and 
now thou art to me full unfriendly, but 
and there were no more but thou and I, 
thou wouldst not put me to death. No ! 
said Sir Andred, and therewith he drew 
his sword and would have slain him. 
When Sir Tristram saw him make such 
countenance, he looked upon both his 
hands that were fast bourid unto two 
knights, and suddenly he pulled them 
both to him and unwrast his hands, 
and then he lept unto his cousin An- 
dred and wrested his sword out of 
his hands, then he smote Sir Andred 
that he fell to the earth, and so Sir 
Tristram fought till he had killed ten 
knights. So then Sir Tristram gat the 
chapel and kept it mightily. Then the 
cry was great, and the people drew fast 
unto Sir Andred, more than an hundred. 
When Sir Tristram saw the people drfiw 
unto him, he remembered that he was 
naked, and shut fast the chapel door, 
and brake the bars of a window, and so 
he lept out and fpll upon the crags in the 
sea. And so at that time Sir Andred nor 
none of his fellows might get to him at 
that time, 

CHAP, XXXV. 

How Sir Tristram zvas holpen by his men, 
and of queen Isoud which wg.s put in a 
lazar-cote, and how Tristram was hurt. 

So when they we^e departed, Gouver- 
nail and Sir Lambegus, and Sir Sentraille 
de Lushon, that were Sir Tristram's men, 
sought their master. When they heard 
he was escaped, then they were passing 
glad, and on the rocks they found him, 
and with towels they pulled him up. And 
then Sir Tristram asked them where La 
Beale Isoud was, for he wend she had 
been had away of Andred's people. Sir, 
said Gouvernail, she is put in a lazar- 
cote. Alas, said Sir Tristram, this is a 
full ungoodly place for such a fair lady ; . 



CHAP. xxx\n. 



HOW TRISTRAM WENT TO BRITANNY. 



191 



and if I may she shall not be long there. 
And so he took his men, and went there 
as was La Beale Isoud, and fetched her 
away, and brought her into a forest to 
a fair manor, and Sir Tristram there 
abode with her. So the good knight 
bad his men go from him, — For at this 
time I may not help you. So they de- 
parted all save Gouvernail. And so upon 
a day Sir Tristram went into the forest 
for to desport him, and then it happened 
that he fell there on sleep. And there 
came a man that Sir Tristram afore hand 
had slain his brother ; and when this 
man had found him he shot him througTi 
the shoulder w^ith an arrow, and Sir Tris- 
tram lept up and killed that man. And 
in the mean while it was told king 
Mark how Sir Tristram and La Beale 
Isoud were in that same manor, and as 
soon as ever he might thither he came 
with many knights to slay Sir Tristram. 
And when he came there he found him 
gone ; and there he took La Beale Isoud 
home with him, and kept her strait that 
by no means never she might wit nor 
send unto Tristram, nor he unto her. 
And then \vhen Sir Tristram came to- 
ward the old manor, he found the track 
of many horses, and thereby he wist his 
lady was gone. And then Sir Tristram 
took great sorrow, and endured with 
great pain long time, for the arrow that j 
he was hurt wlthall was envenomed. 

Then by the means of La Beale \ 
Isoud she told a lady that was cousin 
unto dame Bragwaine, and she came 
to Sir Tristram, and told him that he 
might not be whole by no means, — For 
thy lady La Beale Isoud may not help i 
thee ; therefore she biddeth you haste 
into Britanny to king Howel, and there 
ye shall find his daughter Isoud la 
Blanche Mains, and she shall help thee. 
Then Sir Tristram and Gouvernail gat 
them shipping, and so sailed into 
Britanny. And when king Howel wist 
that it was Sir Tristram he was full 
glad of him. Sir, he said, I am come 
into this country to have help of your 
daughter, for it is told me that there 
is none other may heal me but she. 
And so within a while she healed him. 



CHAP. XXX VI. 

How Sir Tristram served in war ling 
Howel of Britanny and slew his adver- 
sary in the field. 

There was an earl that hight Grip, 
and this earl made great war upon the 
king, and put the king to the worse, 
and besieged him. And on a time Sir 
Kehydius, that was son to king Howel, 
as he issued out he was sore wounded 
nigh to the death. Then Gouvernail 
went to the king and said, Sir, I coun- 
sel you to desire my lord, Sir Tristram, 
as in your need to help you. I will do 
by your counsel, said the king. And so 
he went unto Sir Tristram and prayed 
him in his wars for to help him, for my 
son Sir Kehydius may not go into the 
field. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I will go 
to the field, and do what I may. Then 
Sir Tristram issued out of the town 
with such fellowship as he might make, 
and did such deeds that all Britanny 
spake of him. And then at the last, by 
great might and force, he slew the earl 
Grip with his own hands, and more 
than an hundred knights he slew that 
day. And then Sir Tristram was re- 
ceived right worshipfully with pro- 
cession. Then king Howel embraced 
him in his arms and said. Sir Tristram, 
all my kingdom I will resign to thee. 
God defend, said Sir Tristram, for I am 
beholden unto you for your daughter's 
sake to do for you. Then by the great 
means of king Howel and Kehydius 
his son, by great proffers there grew 
great love betwixt Isoud and Sir Tris- 
tram, for that lady was both good and 
fair, and a woman of noble blood and 
fame. And for because that Sir Tris- 
tram had such cheer and riches, and all 
other pleasance that he had, almost he 
had forsaken La Beale Isoud, And so 
upon a time Sir Tristram agreed to wed 
Isoud la Blanche Mains, And at the 
last they were wedded, and solemnly 
held their marriage. 

And in the mean while there was a 
knight in Britanny, his name was Sup- 
pinabiles, and he came over the sea 
into England, and then he came unto 



192 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK VIII. 



the court of king Arthur, and there he 
met with Sir Launcelot du Lake, and 
told him of the marriage of Sir Tris- 
tram. Then said Sir Launcelot, Fie 
upon him, untrue knight to his lady ; 
that so noble a knight as Sir Tristram 
is, should be found to his first lady false. 
La Beale Isoud, queen of Cornwall. But 
say ye him this, said Sir Launcelot, that 
of all knights in the world I loved him 
most, and had most joy of him, and all 
was for his noble deeds ; and let him 
wit the love between him and me is 
done for ever, and that I give him warn- 
ing from this day forth as his mortal 
enemy. 

CHAP. XXXVIL 

How Sir Siippinahiles told Sir Tristram 
how he was defamed in the cotirt of 
king Arthur, a?id of Sir Lamorak. 
Then departed Sir Suppinabiles unto 
Britanny again, and there he found Sir 
Tristram, and told him that he had 
been in king Arthur's court. Then said 
Sir Tristram, Heard ye any thing of 
me ? Truly, said Sir Suppinabiles, there 
I heard Sir Launcelot speak of you 
great shame, and that ye be a false 
knight to your lady, and he bad me to 
do you to wit that he will be your 
mortal enemy in every place where he 
may meet you. That me repentelh, said 
Tristram, for of all knights I loved to 
be in his fellowship. So Sir Tristram 
made great moan, and was ashamed 
that noble knights should defame him 
for the sake of his lady. And in this 
mean while La Beale Isoud made a 
letter unto queen Guenever, complain- 
ing her of the untruth of Sir Tristram, 
and how he had wedded the king's 
daughter of Britanny. Queen Guenever 
sent her another letter, and bad her be 
of good cheer, for she should have joy 
after sorrow, for Sir Tristram was so 
noble a knight called, that by crafts of 
sorcery ladies would make such noble 
men to wed them, but in the end, 
queen Guenever said, it shall be thus, 
that he shall hate her, and love you 
better than ever he did tofore. 

So leave we Sir Tristram in Britanny, 



and speak we of Sir Lamorak de Galis, 
that as he sailed his ship fell on a rock 
and perished all, save Sir Lamorak 
and his squire, and there he swam 
mightily, and fishers of the Isle of Ser- 
vage took him up, and his squire was 
drowned, and the shipmen had great 
labour to save Sir Lamorak's life for 
all the comfort that they could do. And 
the lord of that isle hight Sir Nabon le 
Noire, a great mighty giant. And this 
Sir Nabon hateth all the knights of king 
Arthur, and in no v/ise he would do 
them favor. And these fishers told Sir 
Lamorak all the guise of Sir Nabon, 
how there came never knight of king 
Arthur's but he destroyed him. And at 
the last battle that he did was slain Sir 
Nanowne le Petite, the which he put to 
a shameful death in despite of king 
Arthur, for he was drawn limb-meal. 
That forthinketh me, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, for that knight's death, for he was 
my cousin. And if I were at mine ease 
as well as ever I was, I would revenge 
his death. Peace, said the fishers, and 
make here no words, for, or ye depart 
from hence. Sir Nabon must know that 
ye have been here, or else we should 
die for your sake. So that I be whole, 
said Lamorak, of my disease that I 
have taken in the sea, I will that ye tell 
him that I am a knight of king Arthur's, 
for I was never afeard to deny my 
lord. 

CHAP. XXXVIII. 
How Sir Tristra?n and his wife arrived in 

Wales, and how he tnet there with Sir 

Lamorak. 

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that 
upon a day he took a little barge, and 
his wife Isoud la Blanch Mains, with 
Sir Kehydius her brother, to play them 
in the coasts. And when they were 
from the land, there was a wind drove 
them into the coast of Wales upon this 
Isle of Servage, where as was Sir Lamo- 
rak, and there the barge all to-rove, 
and there dame Isoud was hurt, and as 
well as they might they gat into the 
forest, and there by a well he saw Seg- 
warides and a damsel. And then either 



CHAP. XXXLX. 



OF SIR NABON LE NOIRE. 



193 



saluted other. Sir, said Segwarides, I 
know you for Sir Tristram de Liones, 
the man in the world that I have the 
most cause to hate, because ye departed 
the love between me and my wife ; but 
as for that, said Segwarides, I will never 
hate a noble knight for a light lady, 
and therefore I pray you be my friend, 
and I will be yours unto my power, for 
wit ye well ye are hard bested in this 
valley, and we shall have enough to do 
either of us to succour other. And then 
Sir Segwarides brought Sir Tristram 
unto a lady thereby that was born in 
Cornwall, and she told him all the 
perils of that valley, and how there 
came never knight there but he were 
taken prisoner or slain. Wit you well 
fair lady, said Sir Tristram, that I slew 
Sir Marhaus, and delivered Cornwall 
from the truage of Ireland, and I am he 
that delivered the king of Ireland from 
Sir Blamor de Ganis, and I am he that 
beat Sir Palamides, and wit ye well, I 
am Sir Tristram de Liones, that by the 
grace of God shall deliver this woful 
Isle of Servage. So Sir Tristram was 
well eased ; then one told him there 
was a knight of king Arthur's that was 
wrecked on the rocks. What is his 
name ? said Sir Tristram. We wot not, 
said the fishers, but he keepeth it no 
counsel but that he is a knight of king 
Arthur's, and by the mighty lord of this 
isle he setteth nought by. I pray you, 
said Sir Tristram, and ye may bring 
him hither that I may see him ; and if 
he be any of the knights of Arthur's I 
shall know him. Then the lady prayed 
the fishers to bring him to her place. 
So, on the morrow they brought him 
thither in a fisher's raiment. And as 
soon as Sir Tristram saw him he smiled 
upon him and knew him well, but he 
knew not Sir Tristram. Fair knight, 
said Sir Tristram, me seemeth by your 
cheer ye have been diseased but late, 
and also me thinketh I should know you 
heretofore. I will well, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, that ye have seen me and met 
with me. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, 
tell me your name. Upon a covenant 
I will tell you, said Sir Lamorak, that 



is, that ye will tell me whether ye be 
lord of this island or no, that is called 
Nabon le Noire. For sooth, said Sir 
Tristram, I am not he, nor I hold not 
of him, I am his foe as well ye be, 
and so shall I be found or I depart 
out of this isle. Well, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, since ye have said so largely unto 
me, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis, 
son unto king Pellinore. For sooth, I 
trow well, said Sir Tristram, for, and ye 
said other, I knov/ the contrary. What 
are ye, said Sir Lamorak, that knoweth 
me? I am Sir Tristram de Liones. 
Ah, sir, remember ye not of the fall ye 
did give me once, and after ye refused 
me to fight on foot. That was not for 
fear I had of you, said Sir Tristram, but 
me shamed at that time to have more 
ado with you, for me seemed ye had 
enough ; but. Sir Lamorak, for my 
kindness many ladies ye put to a re- 
proof, when ye sent the horn from 
Morgan le Fay to king Mark, where as 
ye did this in despite of me. Well, said 
he, and it were to do again, so would I 
do, for I had lever strife and debate fell 
in king Mark's court rather than Ar- 
thur's court, for the honour of both 
courts be not alike. As to that, said Sir 
Tristram, I know well. But that that 
was done, it was for despite of me, but 
all your malice hurt not greatly. There- 
fore, said Sir Tristram, ye shall leave 
all your malice and so will I, and let us 
assay how we may win worship between 
you and me upon this giant Sir Nabon 
le Noire, that is lord of this island, to 
destroy him. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, 
now I understand your knighthood, it 
may not be false that all men say, for 
of your bounty, nobless, and worship, 
of all knights ye are peerless ; and for 
courtesy and gentleness I shewed you 
ungentleness, and that now me re- 
penteth. 

CHAP. XXXIX. 

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon 
and overcajne him, and made Sir La- 
morak lord of the isle. 
In the mean time came word that Sir 

Nabon had made a cry that all the 



13 



194 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



people of that isle should be at his 
castle the fifth day after. And the same 
day the son of Nabon should be made 
knight, and all the knights of that 
valley and thereabout should be there 
to just, and all those of the realm of 
Logris should be there to just with 
them of North Wales ; and thither 
came five hundred knights, and they of 
the country brought there Sir Lamorak, 
and Sir Tristram, and Sir Kehydius, and 
Sir Segwarides, for they durst none 
otherwise do. And then Sir Nabon 
lent Sir Lamorak horse and armour at 
Sir Lamorak's desire, and Sir Lamo- 
rak justed and did such deeds of arms 
that Nabon and all the people said 
there was never knight that ever they 
saw do such deeds of arms. For, as 
the French book saith, he forjusted all 
that were there, for the most part of 
five hundred knights, that none abode 
him in his saddle. Then Sir Nabon 
proffered to play with him his play: — 
For I saw never no knight do so much 
upon a day. I will well, said Sir La- 
morak, play as I may, but I am weary 
and sore bruised : and there either gat a 
spear, but Nabon would not encounter 
with Sir Lamorak, but smote his horse 
in the forehead and so slew him, and 
then Sir Lamorak went on foot and 
turned his shield and drew his sword, 
and there began strong battle on foot. 
But Sir Lamorak was so sore bruised 
and short breathed, that he traced and 
traversed somewhat aback. Fair fellow, 
said Sir Nabon, hold thy hand, and I 
shall shew thee more courtesy than ever 
I shewed knight, because I have seen 
this day thy noble knighthood. And 
therefore stand thou by, and I will wit 
whether any of thy fellows will have 
ado with me. Then when Sir Tristram 
heacd that, he stept forth and said, 
Nabon, lend me horse and sure armour, 
and I will have ado with thee. Well 
fellow, said Sir Nabon, go thou to 
yonder pavilion, and arm thee of the 
best thou findest there, and I shall play 
a marvellous play with thee. Then, 
said Sir Tristram, look ye play well, or 
else peradventure I shall learn you a 



new play. That is well said, fellow, said 
Sir Nabon. So when Sir Tristram was 
armed as him liked best, and well 
shielded and svvorded, he dressed to 
him on foot, for well he knew that Sir 
Nabon would not abide a stroke with 
a spear, therefore he would slay all 
knights' horses. Now fair fellow, said 
Sir Nabon, let us play. So then they 
fought long on foot, tracing and tra- 
versing, smiting and foining long with- 
out any rest. At the last Sir Nabon 
prayed him to tell him his name. Sir 
Nabon, I tell thee my name is Sir Tris- 
tram de Liones, a knight of Cornwall 
under king Mark. Thou art welcome, 
said Sir Nabon, for of all knights I 
have most desired to fight with thee or 
with Sir Launcelot. So then they went 
eagerly together, and Sir Tristram slew 
Sir Nabon, and so forthwith he lept to 
his son and strake off his head. And 
then all the country said they would 
hold of Sir Tristram. Nay, said Sir 
Tristram, I will not so : here is a wor- 
shipful knight Sir Lamorak de Galis 
that for me he shall be lord of this 
country, for he hath done here great 
deeds of arms. Nay, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, I will not be lord of this country, 
for I have not deserved it as well as ye, 
therefore give ye it where ye will, for I 
will none have. Well, said Sir Tris- 
tram, since ye nor I will not have it, let 
us give it to him that hath not so well 
deserved it. Do as ye list, said Sir 
Lamorak, for the gift is yours, for I 
will none have and I had deserved it. 
So it was given to Segwarides, where- 
fore he thanked him, and so was he 
lord, and worshipfully he did govern it. 
And then Sir Segwarides delivered all 
prisoners, and set good governance in 
that valley; and so he returned into 
Cornwall, and told king Mark and La 
Beale Isoud how Sir Tristram had ad- 
vanced him to the Isle of Servage, and 
there he proclaimed in all Cornwall of 
all the adventures of these two knights, 
so was it openly known. But full woe 
was La Beale Isoud \vhen she heard 
tell that Sir Tristram was wedded to 
Isoud La Blanche Mains. 



OF SIR LAMORAK AND SIR FROL. 



195 



CHAP. XL. 

How Sir Lamorak departed from Sir 
Tristram, and how he met with Sir 
Frol, and after with Sir Launcelot. 

So turn we unto Sir Lamorak, that 
rode toward Arthur's court ; and Sir 
Tristram and his wife and Kehydius 
took a vessel and sailed into Britanny 
unto king Howel, where he was wel- 
come. And when he heard of thesp 
adventures they marvelled of his noble 
deeds. Now turn we unto Sir Lamo- 
rak, that when he was departed from 
Sir Tristram, he rode out of the forest 
till he came to an hermitage. When 
the hermit saw him he asked him from 
whence he came. Sir, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, I come from this valley. Sir, said 
the hermit, thereof I greatly marvel, for 
this twenty winter I saw never no 
knight pass this country but he was 
either slain or villainously wounded, or 
passed as a poor prisoner. Those ill 
customs, said Sir Lamorak, are for- 
done ; for Sir Tristram slew your lord 
Sir Nabon, and his son. Then was the 
hermit glad, and all his brethren, for 
he said there was never such a tyrant 
among Christian men, — and therefore, 
said the hermit, this valley and franchise 
we will hold of Sir Tristram. So on 
the morrow Sir Lamorak departed. 
And as he rode he saw four knights 
fight against one, and that one knight 
defended him well, but at the last the 
four knights had him down. And then 
Sir Lamorak went betwixt them, and 
asked them why they would slay that 
one knight, and said it was? shame 
four against one. Thou shalt well wit, 
said the four knights, that he ig false. 
That is your tale, said Sir Lamorak, 
and when I hear him also speak I wil| 
say as ye say. Then said Lamorak, 
Ah knight, can ye not excuse you but 
that ye are a false knight ? Sir, said he, 
yet can I excuse me both with my words 
and with my hands, that I will make 
good upon one of the best of them, my 
body to his body. Then spake they all 
at once : We will not jeopard our bodies 
as for thee ; but wit thou well, they said, 



and king Arthur were here himself, it 
should not lie in his power to save his 
life. That is too much said, said Sir La- 
morak, but many speak behind a man 
more than they will say to his face. 
And because of your words, ye shall un- 
derstand that I am one of the simplest 
of king Arthur's court : in the worship 
of my lord now do your best, and in 
despite of you I shall rescue him. And 
then they lashed all at once to Sir La- 
morak ; but anon at two strokes Sir 
Lamorak had slain two of them, and 
then the other two fled. So then Sir 
Lamorak turned again to that knight 
and asked him his name. Sir, he said, 
my name is Sir Frol of the Out Isles. 
Then he rode with Sir Lamorak and 
bare him company; and as they rode 
by the way they saw a seemly knight 
riding against them, and all in white. 
Ah, said Frol, yonder knight justed 
late with me, and smote me down, 
therefore I will just with him. Ye shall 
not do so, said Sir Lamorak, by my 
counsel, and ye will tell me your quar- 
rel, whether ye justed at his request, 
or he at yours. Nay, said Sir Frol, I 
justed with hipi at my request. Sir, 
said Lamorak, then will I counsel you 
deal no more with him, for me seemeth 
by his countenance he should be a 
noble knight and no jester, for me think- 
eth he should be of the Table Round, 
Therefore I will not spare, said Sir Frol ; 
and then he cried and said. Sir knight, 
make thee ready to just. I'hat needeth 
not, said the knight, for I have no lust 
to just with thee. But yet they feutred 
their spears, and the white knight over- 
threw Sir Frol, and then he rode his 
way a soft pace. Then Sir Lamorak 
rode after him. and prayed him to tell 
i him his name. For me seemeth ye should 
be of the fellowship of the Round Table. 
Upon a covenant, said he. I will tell you 
my name, so that ye will not discover 
my name, and also that ye will tell me 
yours. Then, said he, my name is Sir 
Lamorak de Galis. And my name is 
Sir Launcelot du Lake. Then they put 
up their swords, and kissed heartily to- 
gether, and either made great joy of 



13—2 



196 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



other. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, and it 

please you I will do you service. God 

I defend, said Sir Launcelot, that any of 

] so noble blood as ye be should do me 

I service. Then he said more, I am in a 

I quest that I must do myself alone. Now 

j God speed you, said Sir Lamorak, and 

j .so they departed. Then Sir Lamorak 

came to Sir Frol and horsed him again. 

What knight is that ? said Sir Frol. Sir, 

said he, it is not for you to know, nor it 

is no point of my charge. Ye are the 

more uncourteous, said Sir Frol, and 

llierefore I will depart from you. Ye 

may do as ye list, said Sir Lamorak, 

and yet by my company you have saved 

the fairest flower of your garland. So 

Ihey departed. 

CHAP. XLI. 

Hoxu Sir Lamorali slew Sir Frol, atid of 
the co7irteous fighting with Sir Bel- 
liatice his brother. 

Then within two or three days Sir 
Lamorak found a knight at a well 
sleeping, and his lady sat with him and 
waked. Right so came Sir Gawaine 
and took the knight's lady, and set her 
up behind his squire. So Sir Lamorak 
rode after Sir Gawaine, and said, Sir 
Gawaine, turn again. And then said 
Sir Gawaine, What will ye do with me ? 
for I am nephew to king Arthur. Sir, 
said he, for that cause I will spare you, 
else that lady should abide with me, or 
else ye should just with me. Then Sir 
Gawaine turned him and ran to him 
that owned the lady with his spear. 
Bat the knight with pure might smote 
down Sir Gawaine, and took his lady 
with him. All this Sir Lamorak saw, 
and said to himself, But I revenge my 
fellow, he will say of me dishonour in 
king Arthur's court. Then Sir Lamo- 
rak returned and proffered that knight 
to just. Sir, said he, I am ready. And 
so they came together with all their 
might, and there Sir Lamorak smote 
the knight through both sides, that he 
fell to the earth dead. Then the lady 
rode to that knight's brother that hight 
Sir Belliance le Orgulous, that dwelled 



fast thereby, and then she told him how 
his brother was slain. Alas, said he, I 
will be revenged. And so horsed him 
and armed him, and within a while he 
overtook Sir Lamorak, and bad him, 
Turn, and leave that lady, for thou and 
I must play a new play, for thou hast 
slain my brother Sir Frol, that was a 
better knight than ever were thou. It 
might well be, said Sir Lamorak, but 
this day in the field I was found the bet- 
ter. So they rode together, and unhorsed 
other, and turned their shields and drew 
their swords, and fought mightily as 
noble knights proved by the space of 
two hours. So then Sir Belliance 
prayed him to tell his name. Sir, said 
he, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. 
Ah, said Sir Belliance, thou art the man 
in the world that I most hate, for I 
slew my sons for thy sake, where I 
saved thy life, and now thou hast slain 
my brother Sir Frol. Alas, how should 
I be accorded with thee ? therefore de- 
fend thee, for thou shalt die : there is 
none other remedy. Alas, said Sir La- 
morak, full well me ought to know 
you, for ye are the man that most have 
done for me. And therewithal Sir La- 
morak kneeled down and besought him 
of grace. Arise, said Sir Belliance, or 
else there as thou kneelest I shall slay 
thee. That shall not need, said Sir 
Lamorak, for I will yield me unto 
you, not for fear of you, nor for your 
strength, but your goodness maketh me 
full loth to have ado with you ; where- 
fore I require you, for God's sake, and 
for the honour of knighthood, forgive 
me all that I have offended unto you. 
Alas, said Belliance, leave thy kneeling, 
or else I shall slay thee without mercy. 
Then they went again unto battle, 
and either wounded other, that all the 
ground was bloody there as they fought. 
And at the last Belliance withdrew him 
aback and set him down softly upon a 
little hill, for he was so faint for bleed- 
ing that be might not stand. Then 
Sir Lamorak threw his shield upon his 
back, and asked him, What cheer? Well, 
said Sir Belliance. Ah sir, yet shall I 
shew you favour in your mal-ease. Ah 



OF LA COTE MALE TAILE. 



197 



knight, Sir Belliance said, Sir Lamorak 
thou art a fool, for and I had thee at 
such advantage as thou hast done me I 
should slay thee, but thy gentleness is 
so good and large that I must needs 
forgive thee mine evil will. And then 
Sir Lamorak kneeled down and un^ 
laced first his umberere, and then his 
own. And then either kissed other 



with weeping tears. Then Sir Lamo- 
rak led Sir Belliance to an abbey fast 
by, and there Sir Lamorak would 
not depart from Belliance till he was 
v/hole. And then they swore together 
that none of them should never fight 
against other. So Sir Lamorak de- 
parted and went to the court of king 
Arthur. 



P^er? leu? toe of sire Samorafe anlJ of sir Tristram. SlnD ^cre 
Ibegsnnetjb tj^e j^iistorge of Sa cote male tagle. 



^St iSmtS a3ooL 



CHAP. L 

How a young man came into the court of 
king Arthur, and how Sir Kay called 
him in scorn La Cote Male Taile. 

At the court of king Arthur there 
came a young man and bigly made, and 
he was richly beseen, and he desired to 
be made knight of the king, but his 
over garment sat overthwartly, how- 
beit it was rich cloth of gold. What is 
your name ? said king Arthur. Sir, 
said he, my name is Breunor le Noire, 
and within short space ye shall know 
that I am of good kin. It may well be, 
said Sir Kay the seneschal, but in mock- 
age ye shall be called La Cote Male 
Taile, that is as much as to say, the evil- 
shapen coat. It is a great thing that 
thou askest, said the king ; and for what 
cause wearest thou that rich coat ? tell 
me ; for I can well think for some cause 
it is. Sir, said he, I had a father a noble 
knight, and as he rode on hunting, upon 
a day it happed him to lay him down to 
sleep. And there came a knight that 
had been long his enemy. And when 
he saw he was fast on sleep, he all to- 
hewed him ; and this same coat had my 
father on the same time, and that maketh 
this coat to sit so evil upon me. for the 
strokes be on it as I found it, and never 



shall be amended for me. Thus to have 
my father's death in remembrance I 
wear this coat till I be revenged ; and } 
because ye are called the most noblest i 
king in the world I come to you that ye 
should make me knight. Sir, said Sir 
Lamorak and Sir Gaheris, it were well 
done to make him knight, for him be- 
seemeth well of person and of counte- 
nance, that he shall prove a good man, 
and a good knight and a mighty; for 
Sir, and ye be remembered, even such 
one was Sir Launcelot du Lake when 
he came first into this court, and full 
few of us knew from whence he came, 
and now he is proved the most man of 
worship in the world, and all your 
court and all your Round Table is by 
Sir Launcelot worshipped and amended 
more than by any knight now living. 
That is truth, said the king, and to- 
morrow at your request I shall make 
him knight. So on the morrow there 
was an hart found, and thither rode 
king Arthur with a company of his 
knights to slay the hart. And this 
young man that Sir Kay named La Cote 
Male Taile was there left behind with 
queen Guenever, and by sudden adven- 
ture there was an horrible lion kept 
in a strong tower of stone, and it hap- 
pened that he at that time brake loose, 



198 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and came hurling afore the queen and 
her knights. And when the queen saw 
the lion, she cried, and fled, and prayed 
her knights to rescue her. And there 
was none of tliem all but twelve that 
abode, and all the other fled. Then said 
La Cote Male Taile, Now I see well 
that all coward knights be not dead : 
and therewithal he drew his sword 
and dressed him afore the lion. And 
that lion gaped wide, and came upon 
him ramping to have slain him. And 
he then smote him in the midst of the 
head such a mighty stroke that it clave 
his head in sunder, and dashed to the 
earth. Then was it told the queen how 
that the young man that Sir Kay named 
by scorn La Cote Male Taile had slain 
the lion. With that the king came 
home. And when the queen told him 
of that adventure he was well pleased, 
and said, Upon pain of mine head he 
shall prove a noble man, and a faithful 
knight, and true of his promise. Then 
the king forthwithal made him knight. 
Now Sir, said this young knight, I re- 
quire you and all the knights of your 
court, that ye call me by none other 
name but La Cote Male Taile ; inso- 
much as Sir Kay so hath named me, so 
will I be called. I assent me well there- 
to, said the king. 

CHAP. IL 

How a damsel came tmto the court and de- 
sired a knight to take on him an inquest, 
which La Cote Male Taile emprized. 

Then that same day there came a 
damsel into the king's court, and she 
brought with her a great black shield, 
with a white hand in the midst holding 
a sword. Other picture was there none 
in that shield. When king Arthur saw 
her, he asked her from whence she 
came, and what she would. Sir, she 
said, I have ridden long and many a day 
with this shield many ways, and for this 
cause I am come to your court : — There 
was a good knight that owned this 
shield, and this knight had undertaken a 
great deed of arms to achieve it, and so 
it misfortuned him another strong knight 



met with him by sudden adventure, and 
there they fought long, and either 
wounded other passing sore, and they 
were so weary that they left that battle 
even hand. So this knight that owned 
this shield saw none other way but 
he must die ; and then he commanded 
me to bear this shield to the court of 
king Arthur, he requiring and praying 
some good knight to take this shield, 
and that he would fulfil the quest 
that he was in. Now what say ye to 
this quest ? said king Arthur. Is there 
any of you here that will take upon him 
to weld this shield ? Then was there not 
one that would speak one word. Then 
Sir Kay took the shield in his hands. Sir 
knight, said the damsel, what is your 
name ? Wit ye well, said he, my name 
is Sir Kay the seneschal, that wide- 
where is known. Sir, said that damsel, 
lay down that shield, for wit ye well it 
falleth not for you, for he must be a 
better knight than ye that shall weld 
this shield. Damsel, said Sir Kay, wit 
ye well I took this shield in my hands 
by your leave for to behold it, not to 
that intent, but go wheresoever thou 
wilt, for I will not go with you. Then 
the damsel stood still a great while, 
and beheld many of those knights. 
Then spake the knight La Cote Male 
Taile, Fair damsel, I will take the 
shield and that adventure upon me, so I 
wist I should know whither ward my 
journey might be, for because I was this 
day made knight I would take this ad- 
venture upon me. What is your name, 
fair young man ? said the damsel. My 
name is, said he, La Cote Male Taile. 
Well mayest thou be called so, said the 
damsel, the knight with the evil-shapen 
coat, but and thou be so hardy to take 
upon thee to bear that shield and to 
follow me, wit thou well thy skin shall 
be as well hewn as thy coat. As for 
that, said La Cote Male Taile, when I 
am so hewn I will ask you no salve to 
heal me withal. And forthwithal there 
came into the court two squires, and 
brought him great horses and his ar- 
mour and his spears, and anon he was 
armed, and took his leave. I would not 



OF THE DAMSEL MALEDISANT. 



1 09 



by my will, said the king, that ye took 
upon you that hard adventure. Sir, said 
he, this adventure is mine, and the first 
that ever I took upon me, and that will 
I follow whatsoever come of me. Then 
that damsel departed, and La Cote IVIale 
Taile followed first after. And within a 
while he overtook the damsel. And 
anon she missaid him in the fouUest 
manner. 

CHAP. III. 

How La Cote Male Taile overthrew Sir 
Dagonet the king's fool, and of the re- 
buke that he had of the damsel. 

Then Sir Kay ordained Sir Dagonet, 
king Arthur's fool, to follow after La 
Cote Male Taile, and there Sir Kay or- 
dained that Sir Dagonet was horsed and 
armed, and bad him follow La Cote 
Male Taile and proffer him to just, and 
so he did, and when he sa^y La Cote 
Male Taile he cried and bad him make 
him ready to just. So Sir La Cote Male 
Taile smote Sir Dagonet over his horse 
croup. Then the damsel mocked La 
Cote Male Taile, and said. Fie for 
shame, now art thou shamed in Ar- 
thur's court when they send a fool to 
have ado with thee, and specially at 
thy first justs. Thus she rode long and 
chid. And within a while there came 
Sir Bleoberis the good knight, and there 
he justed with J^ Cote Male Taile, and 
there Sir Bleoberis smote him so sore 
that horse and all fell to the earth. 
Then La Cote Male Taile arose up 
lightly and dressed his shield and drew 
his sword, and would have done battle to 
the utterance, for he was wood wroth. 
Not so, said Bleoberis de Ganis, as at this 
time I will not fight upon foot. Then 
the damsel Maledisant rebuked him in 
the foullest manner, and bad him, turn 
again coward. Ah damsel, he said, I 
pray you of mercy to missay me no 
more, my grief is enough though ye 
give me no more. I call myself never 
the worse knight when a mare's son 
faileth me, and also I count me never 
the worse knight for a fall of Sir Bleo- 
beris. So thus he rode with her two 
days, and by fortune there came Sir 



Palamides and encountered wuth him, 
and he in the same wise served him as 
did Bleoberis toforehand. ^Yhat dost 
thou here in my fellowship, said the dam- 
sel Maledisant, thou canst not sit no 
knight nor withstand him one buffet, but 
if it were Sir Dagonet. Ah fair damsel, I 
am not the worse to take a fall of Sir 
Palamides, and yet great disworship 
have I none, for neither Bleoberis nor 
yet Palamides would not fight with me 
on foot. As for that, said the damsel, wit 
thou well they have disdain and scorn 
to light off their horses to fight with 
such a mean knight as thou art. So in 
the meanwhile there came Sir Mordred, 
Sir Gawaine's brother, and so he fell 
in the fellowship with the damsel Male- 
disant. And then they came afore the 
castle Orgulous, and there was such a 
custom that there might no knight 
come by that castle but either he must 
just or be prisoner, or at the least to 
lose his horse and his harness. And 
there came out two knights against 
them, and Sir Mordred justed with the 
foremost, and that knight of the castle 
smote Sir Mordred down off his horse. 
And then anon La Cote Male Taile 
justed with that other, and either of 
them smote other down, horse and 
all to the earth. And when they 
avoided their horses, then either of 
them took other's horses. And then 
La Cote Male Taile rode into that 
knight that smote down Sir Mordred, 
and justed with him ; and there Sir La 
Cote Male Taile hurt and wounded him 
passing sore, and put him from his horse 
as he had been dead. So he turned unto 
him that met him afore, and he took the 
flight toward the castle, and Sir La Cote 
Male Taile rode after him into the castle 
Orgulous, and there La Cote Male Taile 
slew him. 

CHAP. IV. 

How La Cote Male Taile fought against 
an htmdred knights, and how he escaped 
by the mean of a lady. 
And anon there came an hundred 

knights about him and assailed him ; 

and when he saw his horse should be 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



slain he alight and voided his horse, and 
put the bridle under his feet, and so put 
him out of the gate. And when he had 
so done, he hurled in among them, and 
dressed his back unto a lady's chamber- 
wall, thinking himself that he had lever 
die there with worship than to abide 
the rebukes of the damsel Maledisant. 
And in the mean time as he stood and 
fought, that lady whose was the chamber, 
went out slily at her postern, and with- 
out the gates she found La Cote Male 
Taile's horse, and lightly she gat him by 
the bridle and tied him to the postern. 
And then she went unto her chamber 
slily again for to - behold how that 
one knight fought against an hundred 
knights. And so when she had be- 
held him long, she went to a window 
behind his back and said, Thou knight 
thou fightest wonderly well, but for all 
that at the last thou must needs die, but 
and thou canst through thy miglity 
prowess win unto yonder postern, for 
there have I fastened thy horse to 
abide thee ; but wit thou well thou 
must think on thy worship and think 
not to die, for thou mayest not win unto 
that postern without thou do nobly and 
mightily. When La Cote Male Taile 
heard her say so, he griped his sword 
in his hands, and put his shield fair 
afore him, and through the thickest press 
he thrulled through them. And when 
he came to the postern he found there 
ready four knights, and at two the first 
strokes he slew two of the knights, and 
the other fled, and so he won his horse 
and rode from them. And all as it was, 
it was rehearsed in king Arthur's court, 
how he slew twelve knights within the 
castle Orgulous. And so he rode on his 
way. And in the mean while the damsel 
said to Sir Mordred, I ween my fool- 
ish knight be either slain or taken 
prisoner. Then were they ware where 
he came riding. And when he was come 
unto them, he told all how he had sped, 
and escaped in despite of them all, and 
some of the best of them will tell no 
tales. Thou liest falsely, said the dam- 
sel, that dare I make good, but as a 
fool and a dastard to all knighthood 



they have let thee pass. That may ye 
prove, said La Cote Male Taile. With 
that she sent a courier of hers that rode 
alway with her, for to know the truth 
of this deed. And so he rode thither 
lightly, and asked how and in what 
manner that Sir La Cote Male Taile 
was escaped out of the castle. Then all 
the knights cursed him and said that he 
was fiend and no man ; for he hath slain 
here twelve of our best knights, and we 
wend unto this day that it had been too 
much for Sir Launcelot du Lake, or for 
Sir Tristram de Liones. And in despite 
of us all he is departed from us, and 
maugre our heads. 

With this answer the courier de- 
parted, and came to Maledisant his 
lady, and told her all how Sir La Cote 
Male Taile had sped at the castle Or- 
gulous. Then she smote down her head, 
and said Httle. By my head, said Sir 
Mordred to the damsel, ye are greatly 
to blame so to rebuke him, for I warn 
you plainly he is a good knight, and I 
doubt not but he shall prove a noble 
knight, but as yet he may not sit sure 
on horseback: for he that shall be a 
good horseman it must come of usage 
and exercise. But when he cometh to 
the strokes of his sword he is then noble 
and mighty, and that saw Sir Bleoberis 
and Sir Palamides, for wit ye well they 
are wily men of arms, and anon they 
know when they see a young knight by 
his riding, how they are sure to give him 
a fall from his horse or a great buffet. 
But for the most part they will not light 
on foot with young knights, for they are 
wight and strongly armed. For in like- 
wise Sir Launcelot du Lake when he 
was first made knight he was often put 
to the worse upon horseback, but ever 
upon foot he recovered his renown, and 
slew and defoiled many knights of the 
Round Table. And therefore the re- 
bukes that Sir Launcelot did to many 
knights causeth them that be men of 
prowess to beware, for often I have seen 
the old proved knights rebuked and 
slain by them that were but young be- 
ginners. Thus they rode sure talking by 
the way together. 



HOW LA COTE MALE TAILE WAS PRISONER. 



Here leave we off a while of this tale, 
and speak we of Sir Launcelot du Lake. 

CHAP. V. 

How Sir Launcelot came to the court and 
heard of La Cote Male Taile, and how 
he followed after him, and how La Cote 
Male Taile was prisoner. 
That when he was come to the court 
of king Arthur, then heard he tell of 
the young knight La Cote Male Taile, 
how he slew the lion, and how he took 
upon him the adventure of the black 
shield, the which was named at that 
time the hardiest adventure of the 
world. Truly, said Sir Launcelot unto 
many of his fellows, it was shame to all 
the noble knights to suffer such a young 
knight to take such adventure upon 
him for his destruction : for I will that 
ye wit, said Sir Launcelot, that that 
damsel Maledisant hath borne that 
shield many a day for to seek the 
most proved knights, and that was she 
that Breuse Sance Pite took that 
shield from her, and after Tristram de 
Liones rescued that shield from him 
and gave it to the damsel again. A 
little afore that time Sir Tristram 
fought with my nephew Sir Blamor de 
Ganis for a quarrel that was betwixt the 
king of Ireland and him. Then many 
knights were sorry that Sir La Cote 
Male Taile was gone forth to that 
adventure. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I 
cast me to ride after him. And with- 
in seven days Sir Launcelot overtook 
La Cote Male Taile. And then he 
saluted him and the damsel Maledi- 
sant. And when Sir Mordred saw 
Sir Launcelot then he left their fellow- 
ship. And so Sir Launcelot rode with 
them all a day, and ever that damsel 
rebuked La Cote Male Taile, and then 
Sir Launcelot answered for him ; then 
she left off and rebuked Sir Launcelot. 
So this mean time Sir Tristram sent by 
a damsel a letter unto Sir Launcelot 
excusing him of the wedding of Isoud 
la Blanche Mains, and passing cour- 
teously and gently Sir Tristram wrote 
unto Sir Launcelot, ever beseeching 
him to be his good friend, and unto La 



Beale Isoud of Cornwall, and that Sir 
Launcelot would excuse him if that ever 
he saw her. And within short time 
said Sir Tristram that he would speak 
with La Beale Isoud and with him 
right hastily. Then Sir Launcelot de- 
parted from the damsel and from Sir 
La Cote Male Taile, for to oversee that 
letter, and for to write another letter 
unto Sir Tristram de Liones. And in 
the mean while La Cote Male Taile 
rode with the damsel until they came 
unto a castle that hight Pendragon, and 
there were six knights stood afore him, 
and one of them proflered to just with 
La Cote Male Taile. And there La Cote 
Male Taile smote him over his horse 
croup. And then the five knights set 
upon him all at once with their spears, 
and there they smote La Cote Male 
Taile down, horse and man, and then 
they alight suddenly, and set their 
hands upon him all at once and took 
him prisoner, and so led him unto the 
castle and kept him as prisoner. And 
on the morn Sir Launcelot arose and 
delivered the damsel with letters unto 
Sir Tristram, and then he took his way 
after La Cote Male Taile, and by the 
way upon a bridge there was a knight 
I proffered Sir Launcelot to just, and Sir 
! Launcelot smote him down, and then 
they fought upon foot a noble battle 
together, and a mighty. And at the 
last Sir Launcelot smote him down 
groveling upon his hands and his 
knees ; and then that knight yielded 
him, and Sir Launcelot received him 
fair. Sir, said the knight, I require 
thee tell me your name, for much my 
heart giveth unto you. Nay, said Sir 
Launcelot, as at this time I will not tell 
you my name, unless then that ye tell 
me your name. Certainly, said the 
knight, my name is Sir Nerovens, that 
was made knight of my lord Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake. Ah, Nerovens de Lile, 
said Sir Launcelot, I am right glad that 
ye are proved a good knight, for now 
wit ye well my name is Sir Launcelot 
du Lake. Alas, said Nerovens de Lile, 
what have I done. And therewithall flat- 
ling he fell to his feet, and would have 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



kissed them, but Sir Launcelot would 
not let him ; and then either made great 
joy of other. And then Sir Nerovens 
told Sir Launcelot that he should not go 
by the castle of Pendragon, For there 
is a lord, a mighty knight, and many 
knights with him, and this night I heard 
say that they took a knight prisoner 
yesterday that rode with a damsel, and 
they say he is a knight of the Round 
Table. 

CHAP. VL 

How Sir Lawicelot fought wi'h six knights, 
and after wi:h Sir Brian, atid how he 
delivered the prisoners. 

Ah, said Sir Launcelot, that knight is 
my fellow, and him shall I rescue, or 
else I shall lose my life therefore. And 
therewithal he rode fast till he came be- 
fore the castle of Pendragon, and anon 
therewithal there came six knights, and 
all made them ready to set upon Sir 
Launcelot at once. Then Sir Launcelot 
feutred his spear, and smote the fore- 
most that he brake his back in sunder, 
and three of them hit and three failed. 
And then Sir Launcelot past through 
them, and lightly he turned in again, 
and smote another knight through the 
breast and throughout the back, and 
more than an ell, and therewithal his 
spear brake. So then all the remnant 
of the four knights drew their swords, 
and lashed at Sir Launcelot, and at 
every stroke Sir Launcelot bestowed so 
his strokes that at four strokes sundry 
they avoided their saddles, passing sore 
wounded, and forthwithal he rode hurl- 
ing into that castle. And, anon the lord 
of the castle that was that time called 
Sir Brian de les isles, the which was a 
noble man, and a great enemy unto 
king Arthur, within awhile he was 
armed and upon horseback: and then 
they feutred their spears, and hurled 
together so strongly that both their 
horses rashed to the earth. And then 
they avoided their saddles, and dressed 
their shields, and drew their swords, 
and flung together as wood men, and 
there v^'ere many strokes given in a 
while. ' At the last Sir Launcelot gave 



to Sir Brian such a buffet that he 
kneeled upon his knees, and then Sir 
Launcelot rashed upon him, and with 
great force he pulled him off his helm, 
and when Sir Brian saw that he should 
be slain, he yielded him, and put him in 
his mercy and in his grace. Then Sir 
Launcelot made him to deliver all his 
prisoners that he had within his castle, 
and therein Sir Launcelot found of Ar- 
thur's knights thirty, and forty ladies, 
and so he delivered them and then he 
rode his way. And anon as La Cote 
Male Taile was delivered he gat Lis 
horse and his harness, and his damsel 
Maledisant. The mean while Sir Ne- 
rovens, that Sir Launcelot had fought 
withall afore at the bridge, he sent a 
damsel after Sir Launcelot for to wit 
how he sped at the castle of Pendragon. 
And then they within the castle mar- 
velled what knight he was when Sir 
Brian and his knights delivered all those 
prisoners. Have ye no marvel, said the 
damsel, for the best knight in this world 
was here, and did this tourney, and wit 
ye well, she said, it was Sir Launcelot. 
Then was Sir Brian full glad, and so 
was his lady and all his knights that 
such a man should win them. And 
when the damsel and La Cote Male 
Taile understood that it was Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake that had ridden with 
them in fellowship, and that she re- 
membered her how she had rebuked 
him and called him coward, then was 
she passing heavy. 

CHAP. vn. 

How Sir Launcelot met with the damsel 
named Maledisant, and hoiu he named 
her the damsel Bienpensant. 

So then they took their horses and 
rode forth a pace after Sir Launcelot. 
And within two mile they overtook him, 
and saluted him, and thanked him, and 
the damsel cried Sir Launcelot mercy of 
her evil deed, and saying. For now I 
know the flower of all knighthood is 
parted even between Sir Tristram and 
you. For I have sought you my lord 
Sir Launcelot, and Sir Tristram, long. 



OF THE DAMSEL BIENPENSANT. 



203 



and now I thank God I have met with 
you ; and once at Camelot, I met with 
Sir Tristram, and there he rescued this 
black shield with the white hand hold- 
ing a naked sword, which Sir Breuse 
Sance Pite had taken away from me. 
Now, fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, 
who told you my name ? Sir, said she, 
there came a damsel from a knight that 
ye fought withall at the bridge, and she 
told me your name was Sir Launcelot 
du Lake. Blame have she then, said 
Sir Launcelot, but her lord Sir Nero- 
vens hath told her. But damsel, said 
Sir Launcelot, upon this covenant I will 
ride with you, so that ye will not rebuke 
this knight Sir La Cote Male Taile no 
more, for he is a good knight, and I 
doubt not he shall prove a noble knight, 
and for his sake, and pity that he should 
not be destroyed, I followed him to 
succour him in this great need. Ah, 
God thank you, said the damsel, for 
now I will say unto you and to him 
both, I rebuked him never for no hate 
that I hated him, but for great love that 
I had to him : for ever 1 supposed that 
he had been too young and too tender 
to take upon him these adventures, and, 
therefore by my will 1 v/ould have 
driven him away for jealousy that I 
had of his life ; for it may be no young 
knight's deed that shall achieve this 
adventure to the end. Perdy, said Sir 
I^auncelot, it is well said, and where ye 
are called the damsel Maledisant, I 
will call you the damsel Bienpensant. 
And so they rode forth a great while 
until they came to the border of the 
country of Surluse, and there they found 
a fair village with a strong bridge like a 
fortress. And when Sir Launcelot and 
they were at the bridge, there start 
forth afore them of gentlemen and yeo- 
men many that said. Fair lords, ye may 
not pass this bridge and this fortress 
because of that black shield that I see 
one of you bear, and therefore there 
shall not pass but one of you at once ; 
therefore choose which of you shall 
enter within this bridge first. Then 
Sir Launcelot proffered himself first to 
enter within this bridge. Sir, said La 



Cote ]\Iale Taile, I beseech you let me 
enter first within this fortress, and if I 
may speed well I will send for you, and j 
if it happen that I be slain, there it | 
goeth. And if so be that I am a pri- 
soner taken, then may ye rescue me: 
I am loth, said Sir Launcelot, to let you 
pass this passage. Sir, said La Cote 
Male Taile, I pray you let me put my 
body in this adventure. Now go your 
way, said Sir Launcelot, and Jesu be 
your speed. So he entered, and anon 
there met with him two brethren, the 
one hight Sir Plaine de Force, and the 
other hight Sir Plaine de Amours ; and 
anon they met with Sir La Cote Male 
Taile, and first La Cote Male Taile 
smote down Sir Plaine de Force, and 
soon after he smote down Plaine de 
Amours, and then they dressed them to 
their shields and swords, and bad La 
Cote Male Taile alight, and so he did, 
and there was dashing and foining with 
swords, and so they began to assail full 
hard La Cote IVIale Taile, and many 
great wounds they gave him upon his 
head and upon his breast and upon his 
shoulders. And as he might ever among 
he gave sad strokes again. And then 
the two brethren traced and traversed 
for to be of both hands of Sir La 
Cote Male Taile, but he by fine force 
and knightly prowess gat them afore 
him. And then when he felt himself so 
wounded then he doubled his strokes 
and gave them so many wounds that he 
felled them to the earth, and would 
have slain them had they not yielded 
them. And right so Sir La Cote Male 
Taile took the best horse that there was 
of them three, and so rode forth his way 
to the other fortress and bridge, and 
there he met with the third brother, 
whose name was Sir Plenorius, a full 
noble knight, and there they justed to- 
gether, and either smote other down 
horse and man to the earth. And then 
they avoided their horses, and dressed 
their shields, and drew their swords, and 
gave many sad strokes, and one while 
the one knight was afore on the bridge, 
and another while the other. And thus 
they fought two hours and more, and 



204 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



never rested, and ever Sir Launcelot 
and the damsel beheld them. Alas, said 
the damsel, my knight fighteth passing 
sore and over long. Now may ye see, 
said Sir Launcelot, that he is a noble 
knight, for to consider his first battle, 
and his grievous wounds. And even 
forth with all so wounded as he is, it is 
great marvel that he may endure this 
long battle with that good knight. 

CHAP. VIII. 

How La Cote Male Taile was taken 
prisoner, and after rescued by Sir 
Launcelot, and how Sir Launcelot 
overcame four brethren. 

This mean while Sir La Cote Male 
Taile sank right down upon the earth, 
what for-wounded and what for-bled he 
might not stand. Then the other knight 
had pity of him, and said, Fair young 
knight, dismay you not, for had ye been 
fresh when ye met with me, as I was, I 
well wot that I should not have endured 
so long as ye have done, and therefore 
for your noble deeds of arms I shall 
shew to you kindness and gentleness in 
all that I may. And forth withal this 
noble knight Sir Plenorius took him 
up in his arms, and led him into his 
tower. And then he commanded him 
the wine, and made to search him, and 
to stop his bleeding wounds. Sir, said 
La Cote Male Taile, withdraw you from 
me, and hie you to yonder bridge again, 
for there will meet you another manner 
knight than ever I was. Why, said Sir 
Plenorius, is there another manner 
knight behind of your fellowship ? 
Yea, said La Cote Male Taile, there is 
a much better knight than I am. WTiat 
is his name? said Plenorius. Ye shall 
not know for me, said La Cote Male 
Taile. Well, said the knight, he shall 
be encountered withal, whatsoever he 
be. Then Sir Plenorius heard a knight 
call that said. Sir Plenorius, where art 
thou? either thou must deliver me the 
prisoner that thou hast led unto thy 
tower, or else come and do battle with 
me. Then Sir Plenorius gat his horse, 
and came with a spear in his hand, 



galloping towards Sir Launcelot, and 
then they began to feutre their spears, 
and came together as thunder, and 
smote either other so mightily that 
their horses fell down under them. 
And then they avoided their horses, 
and pulled out tlieir swords, and like 
two bulls they lashed together with 
great strokes and foins, but ever Sir 
Launcelot recovered ground upon him, 
and Sir Plenorius traced to have gone 
about him. But Sir Launcelot would 
not suffer that, but bare him backer and 
backer till he came nigh his tower gate. 
And then said Sir Launcelot, I know 
thee well for a good knight, but wit thou 
well thy life and death is in my hand, 
and therefore yield thee to me, and thy 
prisoner. The other answered no word, 
but strake mightily upon Sir Launcelot's 
I helm, that fire sprang out of his eyen ; 
then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes 
so thick, and smote at him so mightily, 
■ that he made him kneel upon his knees, 
and therewith Sir Launcelot lept upon 
I him and pulled him groveling down. 
i Then Sir Plenorius yielded him, and his 
I tower, and all his prisoners, at his will. 
! And then Sir Launcelot received him 
I and took his troth, and then he rode to 
the other bridge, and there Sir Launce- 
lot justed with other three of his bre- 
thren, the one hight Pillounes, and the 
other hight Pellogris, and the third Sir 
Pellandris. And first upon horseback Sir 
Launcelot smote them down, and after- 
ward he beat them on foot, and made 
them to yield them unto him, and then 
he returned unto Sir Plenorius, and 
I there he found in his prison king Cara- 
i dos of Scotland and many other knights, 
{ and all they were delivered. And then 
j Sir La Cote Male Taile came to Sir 
Launcelot, and then Sir Launcelot would 
' have given him all these fortresses and 
these bridges. Nay, said La Cote Male 
Taile, I will not have Sir Plenorius's 
livelihood : with that he will grant you, 
; my lord Sir Launcelot, to come unto 
king Arthur's court, and to be his 
knight, and all his brethren, I will pray 
you, my lord, to let him have his live- 
lihood. I will well, said Sir Launcelot, 



LA COTE MALE TAILE WEDS THE DAMSEL. 



with this that he will come to the court 
of king Arthur, and become his man, 
and his brethren five. And as for you. 
Sir Plenorius, I will undertake, said Sir 
Launcelot, at the next feast, so there be 
a place voided, that ye shall be knight of 
the Round Table. Sir, said Sir Pleno- 
rius, at the next feast of Pentecost I will 
be at Arthur's court, and at that time I 
will be guided and ruled as king Arthur 
and ye will have me. Then Sir Laun- 
celot and Sir La Cote Male Tail reposed 
them there unto the time that Sir La 
Cote Male Taile was whole of his 
wounds, and there they had merry cheer, 
and good rest, and many games, and 
there were many fair ladies. 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Launcelot made La Cote Male 
Taile lord of the castle of Pendragon, 
and after was made knight of the 
Rowid Table. 

And in the mean while there came 
Sir Kay the seneschal, and Sir Brandiles, 
and anon they fellowshipped with them. 
And then within ten days then departed 
those knights of king Arthur's court 
fiom these fortresses. And as Sir 
Launcelot came by the castle of Pen- 
dragon, there he put Sir Brian de les 
isles from his lands, because he would 
never be withold with king Arthur, and 
all that castle of Pendragon, and all the 
lands thereof, he gave to Sir La Cote 
Male Taile. And then Sir Launcelot 
sent for Sir Nerovens, that he made once 
knight, and he made him to have all 
the rule of that castle and of that coun- 
try under La Cote Male Taile. And so 
they rode to Arthur's court all wholly 
together. And at Pentecost next follow- 
ing there was Sir Plenorius, and Sir La 
Cote Male Taile, called otherwise by 
right Sir Breunor le Noire, both made 
knights of the Table Round, and great 
lands king Arthur gave them ; and there 
Breunor le Noire wedded that damsel 
Maledisant. And after she was called 
Beauvivante : but ever after for the 
more part he was called La Cote Male 
Taile, and he proved a passing noble 
knight and mighty, and many worship- 



ful deeds he did after in his life, and Sir 
Plenorius proved a noble knight and 
full of prowess. And all the days of 
their life for the most part they aAvaited 
upon Sir Launcelot. And Sir Pleno- 
rius's brethren were ever knights of king 
Arthur. And also as the French book 
maketh mention. Sir La Cote Male 
Taile avenged his father's death. 

CHAP. X. 

How La Beale Isoud sent letters unto Sir 
Tristram by her maid Bragwaine, and 
of divers adventures of tiir Tristram. 
Now leave we here Sir La Cote Male 
Taile, and turn we unto Sir Tristram de 
Liones that was in Britanny. When 
La Beale Isoud understood that he was 
wedded, she sent unto him by her maiden 
Bragwaine as piteous letters as could be 
thought and made, and her conclusion 
was, that, and it pleased Sir Tristram, that 
he would come to her court and bring 
with him Isoud la Blanche Mains, and 
they should be kept as Avell as she her- 
self. Then Sir Tristram called unto him 
Sir Kehydius and asked him whether he 
would go with him into Cornwall se- 
cretly. He answered him that he was 
ready at all times. And then he let 
ordain privily a little vessel, and therein 
they went. Sir Tristram, Kehydius, 
dame Bragwaine, and Gouvernail Sir 
Tristram's squire. So when they were 
in the sea, a contrarious wind blew 
them on the coasts of North Wales, 
nigh the castle perilous. Then said 
Sir Tristram, Here shall ye abide me 
these ten days, and Gouvernail my squire 
with you. And if so be I come not 
again by that day, take the next way 
into Cornwall, for in this forest are 
many strange adventures as I have heard 
say, and some of them I cast me to 
prove or I depart : and when I may I 
shall hie me after you. Then Sir Tris- 
tram and Kehydius took their horses 
and departed from their fellowship. 
And so they rode within that forest a 
mile and more. And at the last Sir 
Tristram saw afore him a likely knight 
ai-med, sitting by a well, and a strong 
mighty horse passing nigh him tied to 



2o6 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



an oak, and a man hoving and riding by 
him, leading an horse laden with spears. 
And this knight that sat at the well 
seemed by his countenance to be pass- 
ing heavy. Then Sir Tristram rode 
near him and said, Fair knight, why sit 
ye so drooping? Ye seem to be a 
knight errant by your arms and harness, 
and therefore dress you to just with one 
of us or with both. Therewithal that 
knight made no words, but took his 
shield and buckled it about his neck, 
and lightly he took his horse and lept 
upon him. And then he took a great 
spear of his squire, and departed his 
way a furlong. Sir Kehydius asked 
leave of Sir Tristram to just first. Do 
your best, said Sir Tristram. So they 
met together, and there Sir Kehydius 
had a fall, and was sore wounded on high 
above the breast. Then Sir Tristram 
said. Knight, that is well justed, now 
make you ready unto me. I am ready, 
said the knight. And then that knight 
took a greater spear in his hand and 
encountered with Sir Tristram, and 
there by great force that knight smote 
down Sir Tristram from his horse, and 
he had a great fall. Then Sir Tristram 
was sore ashanjed, and lightly he avoided 
his horse and put his shield afore his 
shoulder, and drew his sword. And 
then Sir Tristram required that knight 
of his knighthood to alight upon foot 
and fight with him. I will well, said 
the knight. And so he alight upon 
foot and avoided his horse, and cast his 
shield vipon his shoulder, and drew his 
sword, and there they fought a long 
battle together full nigh two hours. 

Then Sir Tristram said, Fair knight, 
hold thy hand, and tell me of whence 
thou art, and what is thy name. As for 
that, said the knight, I will be advised, 
but and thou wilt tell me thy name, per- 
adventure I will tell thee mine. 

CHAP. XI. 
How Sir Trisiratn met with Sir Lamorak 
de Galis, and how they fought, and 
after accorded never to fight together. 

Now fair knight, he said, my name 



is Sir Tristram de Liones. Sir, said the 
other knight, and my name js Sir Lamo- 
rak de Galis. Ah Sir Lamorak, said Sir 
Tristram, well be we met, and bethink 
thee now of the despite that thou didst 
me of the sending of the horn unto king 
Mark's court, to the intent to have slain 
or dishonoured my lady the queen La 
Beale Isoud. And therefore wit thou 
well, said Sir Tristram, the one of us 
shall die or we depart. Sir, said Sir 
Lamorak, remember that we were to- 
gether in the isle of Servage, and at 
that time ye promised me great friend- 
ship. Then Sir Tristram would make 
no longer delays, but lashed at Sir La- 
morak, and thus they fought long, till 
either were weaiy of other. Then Sir 
Tristram said to Sir Lamorak, In all my 
life met I never with such a knight 
that was so big and well breathed 
as ye be ; therefore, said Sir Tris- 
tram, it were pity that any of us both 
should here be mischieved. Sir, said Sir 
Lamorak, for your renown and name I 
will that ye have the worship of this 
battle, and therefore I will yield me 
unto you. And therewith he took the 
point of his sword to yield him. Nay, 
said Sir Tristram, ye shall not do so, 
for I know well your proffers are more 
of your gentleness than for any fear or 
dread ye have of me. And therewithal 
Sir Tristram profiered him his sword, 
and said, Sir Lamorak, as an overcome 
knight I yield me unto you, as to a man 
of the most noble prowess that ever I 
met withal. Nay, said Sir Lamorak, I 
will do you gentleness. I require you 
let us be sworn together that never none 
of us shall after this day have ado with 
other. And there withal Sir Tristram 
and Sir Lamorak sware that never none 
of them should fight against other, nor 
for weal nor for woe. 

CHAP. XIL 

How Sir Palamides followed the questing 
beast, and he smote dowTi both Sir Tris- 
tram and Sir Larnorak with one spear. 

And this mean while there came Sir 
Palamides the good knight following 



CHAP. xn. SIR PALAMIDES AND THE QUESTING BEAST. 



207 



the questing beast that had in shape a 
head like a serpent's head, and a body 
hke a libbard, haunches like a lion, and 
footed like a hart, and in his body there 
was such a noise as it had been the 
noise of thirty couple of hounds quest- 
ing, and such a noise that beast made 
wheresover he went. And this beast 
evermore Sir Palamides followed, for it 
was called his quest. And right so as 
he followed this beast it came by Sir 
Tristram, and soon after came Pala- 
mides, and to brief this matter he smote 
down Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak 
both with one spear, and so he de- 
parted after the beast Glatisant, that 
was called the questing beast, wherefore 
these two knights were passing wroth 
that Sir Palamides would not fight on 
foot with them. 

Here men may understand that be of 
worship, that he was never formed that 
all times might stand, but some time 
he was put to the worse by mal-fortune. 
And at some time the worse knight 
put the better knight to a rebuke. 
Then Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak 
gat Sir Kehydius upon a shield betwixt 
them both, and led him to a forester's 
lodge, and there they gave him in 
charge to keep him well, and with him 
they abode three days. Then the two 
knights took their horses and at the 
cross they parted. And then said Sir 
Tristram to Sir Lamorak, I require you 
if ye hap to meet with Sir Palamides, 
say him that he shall find me at the 
same well there I met him, and there 
I, Sir Tristram, shall prove whether 
he be better knight than L And so 
either departed from other a sundry 
way, and Sir Tristram rode nigh there 
as was Sir Kehydius, and Sir Lamorak 
rode until he came to a chapel, and 
there he put his horse unto pasture. 
And anon there came Sir Meliagaunce 
that was king Bagdemagus's son, and 
he there put his horse to pasture, and 
was not ware of Sir Lamorak, and then 
this knight Sir Meliagaunce made his 
moan of the love that he had to 
queen Guenever, and there he made a 
woful complaint. All this heard Sir 



Lamorak, and on the morn Sir Lamo- 
rak took his horse and rode unto the 
forest, and there he met two knights 
hoving under the wood shawe. Fair 
knights, said Sir Lamorak, what do ye 
hoving here and watching, and if ye be 
knights errant that will just, lo I am 
ready. Nay, sir knight, they said, not 
so, we abide not here for to just with 
you, but we lie here in await of a knight 
that slew our brother. What knight 
was that, said Sir Lamorak, that ye 
would fain meet withal. Sir, they said, 
it is Sir Launcelot that slew our brother, 
and if ever we may meet with him he 
shall not escape but we shall slay him. 
Ye take upon you a great charge, said 
Sir Lamorak. for Sir Launcelot is a 
noble proved knight. As for that we 
doubt not, for there is none of us but 
we are good enough for him. I will not 
believe that, said Sir Lamorak, for I 
heard never yet of no knight the days 
of my life but Sir Launcelot was too 
big for him. 

CHAP. xm. 

How Sir Lamorak met with Sir Melia- 
gaunce, and how they fought together 
for the beauty of qtieen Guenever. 

Right so as they stood talking thus, 
Sir Lamorak was ware how Sir Laun- 
celot came riding straight toward them ; 
then Sir Lamorak saluted him, and he 
him again. And then Sir Lamorak 
asked Sir Launcelot if there were any 
thing that he might do for him in these 
marches. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, not 
at this time, I thank you. Then either 
departed from other, and Sir Lamorak 
rode again there as he left the tAvo 
knights, and then he found them hid 
in the leaved wood. Fie on you, said 
Sir Lamorak, false cowards, pity and 
shame it is that any of you should take 
the high order of knighthood. So Sir 
Lamorak departed from them, and 
within a while he met with Sir Meha- 
gaunce, and then Sir Lamorak asked 
him why he loved queen Guenever as 
he did : For I was not far from you 
when ye made your complaint by the 
chapel. Did ye so, said Sir Melia- 



208 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



gannce, then will I abide by it : I love 
queen Guenever ; what will ye with it ? 
1 will prove and make good that she is 
the fairest lady and most of beauty in 
the world. As to that, said Sir Lamo- 
rak, I say nay thereto, for queen Mor- 
gause of Orkney, mother to Sir Gawaine, 
and his mother is the fairest queen and 
lady that beareth the life. That is not 
so, said Sir Meliagaunce, and that will 
1 prove with my hands upon thy body. 
Will ye so, said Sir Lamorak, and in a 
better quarrel keep I not to fight. Then 
they departed either from other in great 
wrath. And then they came riding 
together as it had been thunder, and 
either smote other so sore that their 
horses fell backward to the earth. And 
then they avoided their horses, and 
dressed their shields, and drew their 
swords. And then they hurtled to- 
gether as wild boars, and thus they 
fought a great while. For Meliagaunce 
was a good man and of great might, 
but Sir Lamorak was hard big for him, 
and put him always aback ; but either 
had wounded other sore. And as they 
stood thus fighting, by fortune came 
Sir Launcelot and Sir Bleoberis riding. 
And then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt 
them, and asked them for what cause 
they fought so together, and ye are both 
knights of king Arthur. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Meliagaunce told /or what cause 
they fought, a?id how Sir Lamorak 
justed with king Arthur. 

Sir, said Meliagaunce, I shall tell 
you for what cause we do this battle. I 
praised my lady queen Guenever, and 
said she was the fairest lady of the world, 
and Sir Lamorak said nay thereto, for 
he said queen Morgause of Orkney was 
fairer than she, and more of beauty. 
Ah Sir Lamorak, why sayest thou so ? 
It is not thy part to dispraise thy prin- 
cess that thou art under her obeisance 
and we all. And therewith he alight 
on foot, and said, For this quarrel make 
thee ready, for I will prove upon thee 
that queen Guenever is the fairest lady 



and most of bounty in the world. Sir, 
said Sir Lamorak, I am loth to have 
ado with you in this quarrel. For every 
man thinketh his own lady fairest ; and 
though I praise the lady that I love 
most, ye should not be wroth. For 
though my lady queen Guenever be 
fairest in your eye, wit ye well queen 
Morgause of Orkney is fairest in mine 
eye, and so every knight thinketh his 
own lady fairest ; and, wit ye well. Sir, 
ye are the man in the world, except Sir 
Tristram, that I am most lothest to have 
ado withal. But and ye will needs fight 
with me, I shall endure you as long as 
I may. Then spake Sir Bleoberis, and 
said. My lord Sir Launcelot, I wist you 
never so misadvised as ye are now. For 
Sir Lamorak saith you but reason and 
knightly. For I warn you I have a lady, 
and me thinketh that she is the fairest 
lady of the world. Were this a great 
reason that ye should be wroth with 
me for such language ? And well ye 
wot that Sir Lamorak is as noble a 
knight as I know, and he hath owed 
you and us ever good will, and there- 
fore I pray you be good friends. Then 
Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Lamorak : I 
pray you forgive me mine evil will ; and 
if I was misadvised I will amend it. Sir, 
said Sir Lamorak, the amends is soon 
made betwixt you and me. And so Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Bleoberis departed. 
And Sir Meliagaunce and Sir Lamorak 
took their horses, and either departed 
from other. And within a while came 
king Arthur, and met with Sir Lamo- 
rak, and justed with him, and there he 
smote down Sir Lamorak, and wounded 
him sore with a spear, and so he rode 
from him, wherefore Sir Lamorak was 
wroth that he would not fight with him 
on foot ; how be it that Sir Lamorak 
knew not king Arthur. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Sir Kay met with Sir Tristram, and 
after of the shame spoken of the knights 
of Cornwall, and how they justed. 

Now leave we of this tale, and speak 
we of Sir Tristram, that as he rode he 



CHAP. XVI. OF KING ARTHUR IN THE FOREST PERILOUS. 



209 



met with Sir Kay the seneschal, and 
there Sir Kay asked Sir Tristram of 
what country he was. He answered 
that he was of the country of Cornwall. 
It may well be, said Sir Kay, for yet 
heard I never that ever good knight 
came out of Cornwall. That is evil 
spoken, said Sir Tristram, but and it 
please you to tell me your name I re- 
quire you. Sir, wit ye well, said Sir Kay, 
that my name is Sir Kay the seneschal. 
Is that your name ? said Sir Tristram ; 
now wit ye well that ye are named the 
shamefuUest knight of your tongue that 
now is living, how be it ye are called a 
good knight, but ye are called unfor- 
tunate, and passing overthwart of your 
tongue. And thus they rode together 
till they came to a bridge. And there 
was a knight would not let them pass 
till one of them justed with him. And 
so that knight justed with Sir Kay, 
and there that knight gave Sir Kay a 
fall ; his name was Sir Tor, Sir Lamo- 
rak's half brother. And then they two 
rode to their lodging, and there they 
found Sir Brandiles ; and Sir Tor came 
thither anon after. 

And as they sat at supper, these four 
knights, three of them spake all shame 
by Cornish knights. Sir Tristram heard 
ail that they said, and he said but little, 
but he thought the more ; but at that 
time he discovered not his name. Upon 
the morn Sir Tristram took his horse 
and abode them upon their way ; and 
there Sir Brandiles proffered to just with 
Sir Tristram, and Sir Tristram smote 
him down, horse and all, to the earth. 
Then Sir Tor le Fise de Vayshoure en- 
countered with Sir Tristram, and there 
Sir Tristram smote him down. And 
then he rode his way, and Sir Kay fol- 
lowed him, but he would not of his 
fellowship. Then Sir Brandiles came to 
Sir Kay, and said, I would wit fain 
what is that knight's name. Come on 
with me, said Sir Kay, and we shall 
pray him to tell us his name. So 
they rode together till they came nigh 
him ; and then they were ware where 
he sat by a well, and had put off his 
helm to drink at the well. And when 



he saw them come, he laced on his 
helm lightly, and took his horse, and 
proffered them to just. Nay, said Sir 
Brandiles, we justed late enough with 
you ; we come not in that intent. But 
for this we come, to require you of 
knighthood to tell us your name. My 
fair knights, since that is your desire, 
and to please you, ye shall wit that my 
name is Sir Tristram de Liones, nephew 
unto king Mark of Cornwall. In good 
time, said Sir Brandiles, and well ye be 
found ; and wit ye well that we be right 
glad that we have found you, and we be 
of a fellowship that would be right glad 
of your company. For ye are the knight 
in the world that the noble fellowship 
of the Round Table most desireth to 
have the company of. I thank them, 
said Sir Tristram, of their great good- 
ness ; but as yet I feel well that I am 
unable to be of their fellowship. For I 
was never of such deeds of worthiness 
to be in the company of such a fellow- 
ship. Ah, said Sir Kay, and ye be Sir 
Tristram de Liones, ye are the man now 
called most of prowess, except Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake. For he beareth not the 
life, christian ne heathen, that can find 
such another knight, to speak of his 
prowess, and of his hands, and his truth 
withal. For yet could there never crea- 
ture say of him dishonour and make it 
good. Thus they talked a great while ; 
and then they departed either from other, 
such ways as them seemed best. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How king Arthtir was brought into the 
forest perilous, and how Sir Tristram 
saved his life. 

Now shall ye hear what was the 
cause that king Arthur came into the 
forest perilous, that was in North Wales, 
by the means of a lady. Her name was 
Annowre, and this lady came to king 
Arthur at Cardiff, and she, by fair pro- 
mise and fair behests, made king Ar- 
thur to ride with her into that forest 
perilous; and she was a great sorceress, 
and many days she had loved king Ar- 
thur, and therefore she came into that 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



counti-y. So when the king was gone 
with her, many of his knights followed 
after king Arthur when they missed him, 
as wSir Launcelot, Brandiles, and many 
other. And when she had brought him 
to her tower, she desired him to love 
her. And then the king remembered 
him of his lady, and would not love her 
for no craft that she could do. Then 
every day she would make him ride into 
that forest with his own knights, to the 
intent to have had king Arthur slain. 
For when this lady Annowre saw that 
she might not have him at her will, then 
she laboured by false means to have 
destroyed king Arthur and slain. Then 
the Lady of the lake, that was alway 
friendly to king Arthur, she understood 
by her subtle crafts that king Arthur 
was like to be destroyed. And there- { 
fore this Lady of the lake, that hight 
Nimue, came into that forest to seek 
after Sir Launcelot du Lake, or Sir Tris- 
tram, for to help king Arthur; for as 
that same day this Lady of the lake 
knew well that king Arthur should be 
slain, unless that he had help of one of 
these two knights. And thus she rode 
up and down till she met with Sir Tris- 
tram, and anon as she saw him she 
knew him. O my lord Sir Tristram, she 
said, well be ye met, and blessed be the 
time that I have met with you ; for this 
same day, and within these two hours, 
shall be done the foulest deed that ever 
was done in this land. O fair damsel, 
said Sir Tristram, may I amend it? 
Come on with me, she said, and that in 
all the haste ye may, for ye shall see 
the most worshipfullest knight of the 
w^orld hard bested. Then said Sir Tris- 
tram, I am ready to help such a noble 
man. He is neither better nor worse, 
said the Lady of the lake, but the noble 
king Arthur himself. God defend, said 
Sir Tristram, that ever he should be in 
such distress. Then they rode together 
a great pace, until they came to a little 
turret or castle, and underneath that 
castle they saw a knight standing upon 
foot fighting with two knights ; and so 
Sir Tristram beheld them, and at the 
last the two knights smote down the 



one knight, and that one of them un- 
laced his helm to have slain him. And 
the lady Annowre gat king Arthur's 
sword in her hand to have stricken off 
his head. And therewithal came Sir 
Tristram with all his might, crying, 
Traitress, traitress, leave that. And 
anon there Sir Tristram smote one 
of the knights through the body, that 
he fell dead ; and then he rashed to 
the other and smote his back in sun- 
der, and in the mean while the Lady 
of the lake cried to king Arthur, 
Let not that false lady escape. Then 
king Arthur overtook her, and with the 
same sword he smote off her head ; 
and the Lady of the lake took up her 
head, and hung it up by the hair on 
her saddle bow. And then Sir Tris- 
tram horsed king Arthur, and rode forth 
with him, but he charged the Lady of 
the lake not to discover his name as at 
that time. When the king was horsed 
he thanked heartily Sir Tristram, and 
desired to wit his name ; but he would 
not tell him, but that he was a poor 
knight adventurous. And so he bare 
king Arthur fellowship till he met with 
some of his knights. And within a mile 
he met with Sir Ector de Maris, and he 
knew not king Arthur nor Sir Tristram, 
and he desired to just with one of them. 
Then Sir Tristram rode unto Sir Ector, 
and smote him from his horse. And 
when he had done so he came again to 
the king, and said : IMy lord, yonder is 
one of your knights, he may bear you 
fellowship ; and another day by that 
deed that I have done for you, I trust 
ye shall understand that I would do you 
service. Alas, said king Arthur, let me 
wit what ye are. Not at this time, said 
Sir Tristram. So he departed, and left 
king Arthur and Sir Ector together. 

CHAP. xvn. 

Hoxv Sir Tristram cajyie to La Beale 
Isoud, and how Kchyditis began to love 
La Beale Isoud, and of a letter that 
Tristram found. 

And then at a day set Sir Tristram 
and Sir Lamorak met at the well ; and 



CHAP. XVIII. 



OF THE MADNESS OF SIR TRISTRAM. 



then they took Kehydius at the forester's 
house, and so they rode with him to 
the ship where they left dame Brag- 
iwaineand Gouvernail, and so they sailed 
iinto Cornwall all wholly together ; and 
by assent and information of dame Brag- 
waine, Avhen they were landed they rode 
unto Sir Dinas the seneschal, a trusty 
friend of Sir Tristram's. And so dame 
Bragwaine and Sir Dinas rode to the 
court of king Mark, and told the queep. 
La Beale Isoud, that Sir Tristram was 
nigh her in that country. Then for very 
pure joy La Beale Isoud swooned : and 
when she might speak, she said, Gentle 
knight seneschal, help that I might speak 
with him, or else my heart will brast. 

Then Sir Dinas and dame Bragwaine 
brought Sir Tristram and Kehydius 
privily unto the court, unto a chamber 
whereas La Beale Isoud assigned it; and 
to tell the joy that was between La 
Beale Isoud and Sir Tristram, there is 
no tongue can tell it, nor heart think it, 
nor pen write it. And, as the French 
book maketh mention, at the first time 
that ever Sir Kehydius saw La Beale 
Isoud, he was so enamoured upon her 
that for very pure love he might never 
withdraw it. And at the last, as ye 
shall hear or the book be ended. Sir 
Kehydius died for the love of La Beale 
Isoud. And then privily he wrote unto 
her letters and ballads of the most good- 
liest that were used in those days. And 
when La Beale Isoud understood his 
letters, she had pity of his complaint, 
and unadvised she wrote another letter 
to comfort him withal. And Sir Tris- 
tram was all this while in a turret, at 
the commandment of La Beale Isoud, 
and when she might she came unto Sir 
Tristram. So on a day king Mark 
played at the chess under a cham.ber 
window ; and at that time Sir Tristram 
and Sir Kehydius were within the cham- 
ber, over king Mark, and as it mishapped 
Sir Tristram found the letter that Ke- 
hydius sent to La Beale Isoud ; also he 
had found the letter that she wrote unto 
Kehydius, and at that same time La 
Beale Isoud was in the same chamber. 
Then Sir Tristram came unto La Beale 



Isoud, and said ; Madam, here is a letter 
that was sent unto you, and here is the 
letter that ye sent unto him that sent 
you that letter. Alas, madam, the good 
love that I have loved you, and many 
lands and riches have I forsaken for 
your love, and now ye are a traitress to 
me, the which doth me great pain. But 
as for thee. Sir Kehydius, I brought 
thee out of Britanny into this country, 
and thy father, king Howel, I won his 
lands; howbeit, I wedded thy sister, 
Isoud la Blanche Mains, for the good- 
ness which she did to me : but wit thou 
well Sir Kehydius for this falsehood 
and treason thou hast done me, I will 
revenge it upon thee. And therewithal 
Sir Tristram drew out his sword, and 
said. Sir Kehydius keep thee, and then 
La Beale Isoud swooned to the earth. 
And when Sir Kehydius saw Sir Tris- 
tram come upon him, he saw none 
other boot, but lept out at a bay win- 
dow, even over the head where sat king 
Mark playing at the chess. And when 
the king saw one come hurling over his 
head, he said. Fellow, what art thou, 
and what is the cause thou leapest out 
of that window ? My lord the king, said 
Kehydius, it fortuned me that I was 
asleep in the window above your head, 
and as I slept I slumbered, and so I fell 
down. And thus Sir Kehydius excused 
him. 

CHAP. xvni. 

How Sir Tristram departed from Tin- 
tagil, and how he sorrowed, and wa^ 
so long in a forest till he was out cj 
his mind. 

Then Sir Tristram dread sore lest 
he were discovered unto the king that 
he was there, wherefore he drew him to 
the strength of the tower, and armed 
him in such armour as he had, for to 
fight with them that would withstand 
him. And so when Sir Tristram saw 
there was no resistance against him, he 
sent Gouvernail for his horse and for his 
spear, and knightly he I'ode forth out or 
the castle openly that was called the 
castle of Tintagil. And even at the gate 
he met with Gingalin, Sir Gawaine's 

14—2 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



son. And anon Sir Gingalin put his 
spear in his rest, and ran upon Sir Tris- 
tram, and brake his spear, and Sir Tris- 
tram at that time had but a sword, and 
gave him such a buffet upon the hehii 
that he fell down from his saddle, and 
his sword slid down and carved asunder 
his horse neck. And so Sir Tristram 
rode his way into the forest, and all this 
doing saw king Mark. And then he 
sent a squire unto the hurt knight, and 
commanded him to come to him, and 
so he did. And when king Mark wist 
that it was Sir Gingalin, he welcomed 
him, and gave him a horse, and asked 
him what knight it was that had en- 
countered with him. Sir, said Sir Gin- 
galin, I wot not v/hat knight he was, 
but well I wot that he sigheth, and 
maketh great dole. Then Sir Tristram 
wdthin a while met with a knight of his 
own, that hight Sir Fergus. And when 
he had met with him he made great 
sorrow, insomuch that he fell down off 
his horse in a swoon, and in such sor- 
row he was in three days and three 
nights. Then at the last Sir Tristram 
sent unto the court by Sir Fergus, for 
to ask what tidings. And so as he rode 
by the way he met with a damsel that 
came from Sir Palamides, to know and 
seek how Sir Tristram did. Then Sir 
Fergus told her how he was abnost out 
of his mind. Alas, said the damsel, 
where shall I find him ? In such a 
place, said Sir Fergus. Then Sir Fer- 
gus found queen Isoud sick in her bed, 
making the greatest dole that ever any 
earthly woman made. And when the 
damsel found Sir Tristram, she made 
great dole because she might not amend 
him ; for the more she made of him the 
more was his pain. And at the last Sir 
Tristram took his horse and rode away 
from her. And then w^as it three days 
or that she could find him, and then she 
brought him meat and drink, but he 
would none. And then another time 
Sir Tristram escaped away from the 
damsel, and it happed him to ride by 
the same castle where Sir Palamides and 
Sir Tristram did battle when La Beale 
Isoud departed them. And there by for- 



tune the damsel met with Sir Tristram 
again, making the greatest dole that 
ever earthly creature made, and she 
went to the lady of that castle, and 
told her of the misadventure of Sir 
Tristram. Alas, said the lady of that 
castle, where is my lord Sir Tristram ? 
Right here by your castle, said the dam- 
sel. In good time, said the lady, is he 
so nigh me : he shall have meat and 
drink of the best, and a harp I have of 
his whereupon he taught me, — for of 
goodly harping he beareth the prize in 
the world. So this lady and the damsel 
brought him meat and drink, but he eat 
little thereof. Then upon a night he 
put his horse from him, and then he un- 
laced his armour, and then Sir Tristram 
would go into the wilderness, and brast 
down the trees and boughs ; and other- 
while, when he found the harp that the 
lady sent him, then would he harp and 
play thereupon and weep together. And 
sometime when Sir Tristram was in the 
wood, that the lady wist not where he 
was, then would she sit her down and 
play upon that harp : then would Sir 
Tristram come to that harp and hearken 
thereto, and sometime he would harp 
himself. Thus he there endured a quar- 
ter of a year. Then at the last he ran 
his way, and she wist not where he was 
become. And then was he naked, and 
waxed lean and poor of flesh, and so he 
fell into the fellowship of herdmen and 
shepherds, and daily they would give 
him of their meat and drink. And when 
he did any shrewd deed they would beat 
him with rods, and so they clipped him 
with shears and made him like a fool. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Sir Tristram so7ised Dagonet in a 
well, and how Palamides sent a damsel 
to seek Tristram, and bow Palamides 
met with king Mark. 

And upon a day Sir Dagonet, king 
Arthur's fool, came into Cornwall, with 
two squires with him, and as they rode 
through that forest they came by a fair 
well where Sir Tristram was wont to 
be, and the weather was hot, and they 



CHAP. XIX. 



SIR DAGONET IS SOUSED IN A WELL. 



213 



alight to drink of that well, and in the 
mean while their horses brake loose. 
Right so Sir Tristram came unto them, 
and first he soused Sir Dagonet in that 
well, and after his squires, and thereat 
laughed the shepherds, and forthwithal 
he ran after their horses, and brought 
them again one by one, and light so, 
wet as they were, he made them leap up 
and ride their ways. Thus Sir Tristram 
endured there an half year naked, and 
would never come in town nor village. 
The mean while the damsel that Sir 
Palamides sent to seek Sir Tristram she 
went unto Sir Palamides, and told him 
all the mischief that Sir Tristram en- 
dured, Alas, said Sir Palamides, it is 
great pity that ever so noble a knight 
should be so mischieved for the love of 
a lady. But nevertheless I will go and 
seek him, and comfort him and I may. 
Then a little before that time La Beale 
Isoud had commanded Sir Kehydius out 
of the country of Cornwall. So Sir Ke- 
hydius departed with a dolorous heart. 
And by adventure he met with Sir 
Palamides, and they enfellowshipped 
together, and either complained to 
other of their love, that they loved La 
Beale Isoud. Now let us, said Sir Pala- 
mides, seek Sir Tristram that loved her 
as well as we, and let us prove whether 
we may recover him. So they rode into 
that forest, and three days and three 
nights they would never take their lodg- 
ing, but ever sought Sir Tristram. And 
upon a time by adventure they met with 
king Mark that was ridden from his 
men all alone. When they saw him, Sir 
Palamides knew him, but Sir Kehydius 
knew him not. Ah, false king, said Sir 
Palamides, it is pity thou hast thy life, 
for thou art a destroyer of all worship- 
ful knights, and by thy mischief, and 
thy vengeance, thou hast destroyed that 
most noble knight Sir Tristram de 
Liones ; and therefore defend thee, said 
Sir Palamides, for thou shalt die this 
day. That were shame, said king Mark, 
for ye two are armed, and 1 am un- 
armed. As for that, said Sir Palamides, 
I shall find a remedy therefore. Here 
is a knio-ht with me, and thou shalt 



have his harness. Nay, said king Mark, 
I will not have ado with you, for cause 
have ye none to me. For all the misease 
that Sir Tristram hath was for a letter 
that he found ; for, as to me, I did to 
him no displeasure, and I am full sorry 
for his disease and malady. So when the 
king had thus excused him, they were 
friends, and king ]\Iark would have had 
them unto Tintagil, but Sir Palamides 
would not, but turned unto the realm of 
Logris, and Sir Kehydius said he would 
go into Britanny. 

Now turn we unto Sir Dagonet again, 
then when he and his squires were upon 
horseback, he deemed that the shepherds 
had sent that fool to array them so be- 
cause that they laughed at them, and so 
they rode unto the keepers of beasts, 
and all to beat them. Sir Tristram saw 
them beaten that were wont to give him 
meat and drink, then he ran thither and 
gat Sir Dagonet by the head, and gave 
him such a fall to the earth that he 
bruised him sore, so that he lay still. 
And then he wrast his sword out of his 
hand and therewith he ran to one of 
his squires and smote off his head, and 
the other fled. And so Sir Tristram took 
his way with that sword in his hand, j 
running as he had been wild Mood. 
Then Sir Dagonet rode to king Mark 
and told him how he had sped in that 
forest. And therefore, said Sir Dagonet, 
beware, king Mark,, that thou come not 
about that well in the forest, for there is 
a fool naked, and that fool and I fool 
met together, and he had almost slain 
me. Ah, said king Mark, that is Sir 
Matto le Breune, that fell out of his wit 
because he lost his lady. For when Sir 
Gaheris smote down Sir Matto and won 
his lady of him, never since was he in 
his mind, and that was pity, for he was 
a good knight. 

CHAP. XX. 

How it was noised how Sir Tristram was 
dead, and how La Beale Isoud would 
have slain herself. 

Then Sir Andred that was cousin 
unto Sir Tristram, made a lady that was 



214 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



BOOK IX. 



his paramour to say and noise it that 
she was with Sir Tristram or ever he 
died. And this tale she brought unto 
king Mark's court, that she buried him 
by a well, and that or he died he be- 
sought king Mark to make his cousin. 
Sir Andred, king of the country of 
Liones, of the which Sir Tristram was 
lord of. All this did Sir Andred be- 
cause he would have had Sir Tristram's 
lands. And when king Mark heard tell 
that Sir Tristram was dead, he wept 
and made great dole. But when queen 
Isoud heard of these tidings, she made 
such sorrow that she was nigh out of 
her mind. And so upon a day she 
thought to slay herself, and never to 
live after Sir Tristram's death. And so 
upon a day La Beale Isoud gat a sword 
privily, and bare it into her garden, and 
there she pight the sword through a 
plum tree up to the hilts, so that it 
stack fast, and it stood breast high. 
And as she would have run upon the 
sword and to have slain herself, all this 
espied king Mark, how she kneeled 
down and said, Sweet Lord Jesu have 
mercy upon me, for I may not live after 
the death of Sir Tristram de Liones, for 
he was my first love, and he shall be 
the last. And with these words came 
king Mark and took her in his arms, 
and then he took up the sword, and 
bare her away with him into a strong 
tower, and there he made her to be 
kept, and watched her surely. And after 
that she lay long sick, nigh at the point 
of death. This mean while ran Sir Tris- 
tram naked in the forest with the sword 
in his hand, and so he came to an her- 
mitage, and there he laid him down and 
slept, and in the mean while the hermit 
stale away his sword, and laid meat 
down by him. Thus was he kept there 
a ten days, and at the last he departed 
and came to the herdmen again. And 
there was a giant in that country that 
hight Tauleas, and for fear of Sir Tris- 
tram more than seven years he durst 
never much go at large, but for the 
most part he kept him in a sure castle 
of his own. And so this Tauleas heard 
tell that Sir Tristram was dead, by the 



noise of the court of king Mark. Then 
this Tauleas went daily at large. And 
so it happed upon a day he came to the 
herdmen wandering and lingering, and 
there he set him down to rest among^ 
them. The mean while there came a 
knight of Cornwall that led a lady with 
him, and his name was Sir Dinant. 
And when the giant saw him, he went 
from the herdmen and hid him under a 
tree, and so the knight came to the well, 
and there he alight to repose him. And 
as soon as he was from his horse, the 
giant Tauleas came betwixt this knight 
and his horse, and took the horse and 
lept upon him. So forthwith he rode 
unto Sir Dinant and took him by the 
collar, and pulled him afore him upon 
his horse, and there would have stricken 
off his head. Then the herdmen said 
unto Sir Tristram, Help yonder knight. 
Help ye him, said Sir Tristram. We 
dare not, said the herdmen. Then Sir 
Tristram was ware of the sword of the 
knight there as it lay, and so thither he 
ran, and took up the sword and strake 
off Sir Tauleas's head, and so he went 
his way to the herdmen again. 

CHAP. XXL 

How king Mark found Sir Tristram 
nalied, and made him to be borne 
home to Tintagil, and hoiu he was 
there Jinoivn by a bracket. 

Then the knight took up the giant's 
head, and bare it with him unto king 
Mark, and told him what adventure 
betid him in the forest, and how a naked 
man rescued him from the grimly giant 
Tauleas. Where had ye this adventure ? 
said king Mark. Forsooth, said Sir 
Dinant, at the fair fountain in your 
forest where many adventurous knights 
meet, and there is the mad man. Well, 
said king Mark, I will see that wild 
man. So within a day or two king 
Mark commanded his knights and his 
hunters, that they should be ready on 
the morn for to hunt, and on the morn 
he went unto that forest. And when 
the king came to that well, he found 
there lying by that well a fair naked 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS BANISHED. 



man, and a sword by him. Then king 
Mark blew and straked, and therewith 
his knights came to him. And then 
the king commanded his knights to 
take that naked man with fairness, and 
bring him to my castle. So they did 
softly and fair, and cast mantles upon 
Sir Tristram, and so led him unto Tin- 
tagil ; and there they bathed him and 
washed him, and gave him hot suppings, 
till they had brought him well to his 
remembrance. But all this while there 
was no creature that knew Sir Tristram, 
nor what man he was. So it fell upon 
a day that the queen La Beale Isoud 
heard of such a man that ran naked in 
the forest, and how the king had brought 
him home to the court. Then La 
Beale Isoud called unto her dame Brag- 
waine, and said, Come on with me, for 
we will go see this man that my lord 
brought from the forest the last day. 
So they passed forth, and asked where 
was the sick man. And then a squire 
told the queen that he was in the garden 
taking his rest, and reposing him against 
the sun. So when the queen looked 
upon Sir Tristram she was not remem- 
bered of him. But ever she said unto 
dame Bragwaine, Me seemeth I should 
have seen him heretofore in many places. 
But as soon as Sir Tristram saw her he 
knew her well enough, and then he 
turned away his visage and wept. Then 
the queen had always a little brachet 
with her, that Sir Tristram gave her the 
first time that ever she came into Corn- 
wall, and never would that brachet de- 
part from her, but if Sir Tristram was 
nigh there as was La Beale Isoud ; and 
this brachet was sent from the king's 
daughter of France unto Sir Tristram 
for great love. And anon as this Httle 
brachet felt a savour of Sir Tristram, she 
leaped upon him, and licked his cheeks 
and his ears, and then she whined and 
quested, and she smelled at his feet and 
at his hands, and on all parts of his 
body that she might come to. Ah, my 
lady, said dame Bragwaine unto La 
Beale Isoud, alas, alas ! said she, I 
see it is mine own lord. Sir Tristram. 
And thereupon Isoud fell down in a 



swoon, and so lay a great while ; and 
when she might speak, she said. My 
lord Sir Tristram, blessed be God ye 
have your life; and now I am sure ye 
shall be discovered by this little brachet, 
for she will never leave you : and also 
I am sure as soon as my lord king 
Mark do know you, he will banish you 
out of the country of Cornwall, or else 
he will destroy you. Therefore mine 
own lord, grant king Mark his will, and 
then draw you unto the court of king 
Arthur, for there are ye beloved. And 
ever when I may I shall send unto you, 
and when ye list ye may come to me, 
and at all times early and late I will be 
at your commandment to live as poor 
a life as ever did queen or lady. O 
madam, said Sir Tristram, go from me, 
for mickle anger and danger have I 
escaped for your love. 

CHAP. XXII. 

Hoia hmg Mark, by the advice cf his 
council, banished Sir Tristrajyi ojit of 
Cornwall the term of teii years. 

Then the queen departed, but the 
brachet would not from him. And 
therewithal came king Mark, and the 
brachet sat upon him, and bayed at 
them all. Therewithal Sir Andred 
spake and said, Sir, this is Sir Tris- 
tram, I see by the brachet. Nay, said 
the king, I cannot suppose that. So 
the king asked him upon his faith what 
he was, and what was his name. Truly, 
said he, my name is Sir Tristram de 
Liones, now do by me what ye list. 
Ah, said king Mark, me repentelh of 
your recovery. And then he let call 
his barons to judge Sir Tristram to 
death. Then many of his barons would 
not assent thereto, and in especial Sir 
Dinas the seneschal and Sir Fergus. 
And so by the advice of them all Sir 
Tristram was banished out of the 
country for ten year, and thereupon he 
took his oath upon a book before the 
king and his barons. And so he was 
made to depart out of the country of 
Cornwall, and there were many barons 
brought him into his ship, of the which 



2l6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



some were his friends, and some his 
foes. And in the mean while there 
came a knight of king Arthur's, his 
name was Dinadan, and his coming was 
to seek after Sir Tristram. Then they 
shewed him where he was armed at all 
points, going to the ship. Now, fair 
knight, said Sir Dinadan, or ye pass 
this court, that ye will just with me I 
require you. With a good will, said 
Sir Tristram, and these lords will give 
me leave. Then the barons granted 
thereto, and so they ran together, and 
there Sir Tristram gave Sir Dinadan a 
fall. And then he prayed Sir Tristram 
to give him leave to go in his fellow- 
ship. Ye shall be right welcome, said 
then Sir Tristram. And so they took 
their horses and rode to their ships to- 
gether. And when Sir Tristram was in 
the sea, he said. Greet well king Mark 
and all mine enemies, and say them I 
will come again when I may. And 
well am I rewarded for the fighting 
with Sir Marhaus, and delivering all 
this country from servage, and well I 
am rewarded for the fetching and costs 
of La Beale Isoud out of Ireland, and 
the danger that I was in first and last, 
and by the way coming home what 
danger I had to bring again queen Isoud 
from the castle Pluere. And well am I 
rewarded when I fought with Sir Bleo- 
beris for Sir Segwarides' wife. And 
well am I rewarded when I fought with 
Sir Blamor de Ganis for king Anguish, 
father unto La Beale Isoud. And well 
am I rewarded when I smote down the 
good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis at 
king Mark's request. And well am I 
rewarded when I fought with the king 
with the hundred knights, and the king 
of Northgalis, and both these would 
have put his land in servage, and by me 
they were put to a rebuke. And well 
am I rewarded for the slaying of Tau- 
leas the mighty giant, and many more 
deeds have I done for him, and now 
have I my warison. And tell king Mark 
that many noble knights of the Table 
Round have spared the barons of this 
country for my sake. Also am I not 
well rewarded when I fought with the 



good knight Sir Palamides, and rescued 
queen Isoud from him. And at that 
time king Mark said afore all his barons, 
I should have been better rewarded. 
And forthwithal he took the sea. 

CHAP. xxm. 

How a damsel sought help to help Sir 
Launcelot against thirty hiights, and 
how Sir Tristram fought with them. 

And at the next landing, fast by the 
sea, there met with Sir Tristram and 
with Sir Dinadan Sir Ector de Maris 
and Sir Bors de Ganis. And there Sir 
Ector justed with Sir Dinadan and he 
smote him and his horse down. And 
then Sir Tristram would have justed 
with Sir Bors, and Sir Bors said he 
would not just with no Cornish knights, 
for they are not called men of worship. 
And all this was done upon a bridge. 
And with this came Sir Bleoberis and 
Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis proffered 
to just with Sir Tristram, and there Sir 
Tristram smote down Sir Bleoberis. 
Then said Sir Bors de Ganis, I wist 
never Cornish knight of so great valour 
nor so valiant as that knight that bear- 
eth the trappours embroidered with 
crowns. And then Sir Tristram and 
Sir Dinadan departed from them into 
a forest, and there met them a damsel 
that came for the love of Sir Launcelot 
to seek after some noble knights of 
king Arthur's court for to rescue Sir 
Launcelot. And so Sir Launcelot was 
ordained, for by the treason of queen 
Morgan le Fay to have slain Sir Laun- 
celot, and for that cause she ordained 
thirty knights for to lie in a wait for 
Sir Launcelot, and this damsel knew 
this treason. And for this cause the 
damsel came for to seek noble knights 
to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, 
or the day after, Sir Launcelot should 
come where these thirty knights were. 
And so this damsel met with Sir Bors, 
Sir Bleoberis, Sir Ector, and Sir Driant, 
and there she told them all four of the 
treason of Morgan le Fay. And then 
they promised her that they would be 
nigh where Sir Launcelot should meet 



OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR DINADAN. 



with the thirty knights, and if so be 
they set upon him we will do rescues as 
we can. So the damsel departed, and 
by adventure the damsel met with Sir 
Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and 
there the damsel told them all the trea- 
son that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. 
Fair damsel, said Sir Tristram, bring 
me to that same place where they should 
meet with Sir Launcelot. Then said 
Sir Dinadan, What will ye do ? it is 
not for us to fight with thirty knights, 
and wit you well I will not thereof, as 
to match one knight two or three is 
enough, and they be men. But for to 
match fifteen knights, that will I never 
undertake. Fie for shame, said Sir 
Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said 
Sir Dinadan, I will not thereof, but if 
ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear 
a shield of Cornwall, and for the cow- 
ardice that is named to the knights of 
Cornwall, by your shields ye be ever 
forborn. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will 
not depart from my shield for her sake 
that gave it me. But one thing, said 
Sir Tristram, I promise thee Sir Dina- 
dan, but if thou wilt promise me to 
abide with me, here I shall slay thee : 
for I desire no more of thee but to 
answer one knight, and if thy heart will 
not serve thee, stand by and look upon 
me and them. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, 
I promise you to look upon and to do 
what I may to save myself, but I would 
I had not met with you. So then 
anon these thirty knights came fast 
by these four knights, and they were 
ware of them, and either of other. And 
so these thirty knights let them pass 
for this cause, that they would not 
wrath them if cause be that they had 
ado with Sir Launcelot, and the four 
knights let them pass to this intent, 
that they would see and behold what 
they would do with Sir Launcelot. And 
so the thirty knights past on, and came 
by Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan. And 
then Sir Tristram cried on high, Lo here 
is a knight against you for the love of 
Sir Launcelot. And there he slew two 
with one spear, and ten with his sword. 
And then came in Sir Dinadan, and he 



did passing well. And so of the thirty 
knights there went but ten away, and 
they fled. All this battle saw Sir Bors 
de Ganis, and his three fellows. And 
then they saw well it was the same 
knight that justed with them at the 
bridge. Then they took their horses 
and rode unto Sir Tristram, and praised 
him, and thanked him of his good deeds, 
and they all desired Sir Tristram to go 
with them to their lodging. And he 
said nay, he would not go to no lodg- 
ing. Then they all four knights prayed 
him to tell them his name. Fair lords, 
said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will 
not tell you my name. 

CHAP. XXIV. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan came 
to a lodging where, they must just with 
two knights. 

Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan 
rode forth their way till they came to 
the shepherds and to the herdmen, and 
there they asked them if they knew any 
lodging or harbour there nigh hand. 
Forsooth sirs, said the herdmen, hereby 
is good lodging in a castle, but there is 
such a custom that there shall no knight 
be harboured but if he just with two 
knights, and if he be but one knight he 
must just with two. And as ye be 
therein, soon shall ye be matched. 
There is shrewd harbour, said Sir 
Dinadan, lodge where ye will, for I 
will not lodge there. Fie for shame, 
said Sir Tristram, are ye not a knight 
of the Table Round, wherefore ye may 
not with your worship refuse your lodg- 
ing. Not so, said the herdmen, for and 
ye be beaten and have the worse ye 
shall not be lodged there, and if ye beat 
them ye shall be well harboured. Ah, 
said Sir Dinadan, they are two sure 
knights. Then Sir Dinadan would not 
lodge there in no manner, but as Sir 
Tristram required him of his knight- 
hood, and so they rode thither. And 
to make short tale. Sir Tristram and Sir 
Dinadan smote them down both, and 
so they entered into the castle, and 
had good cheer as they could think or 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



devise. And when they were unarmed, 
and thought to be merry and in good 
rest, there came in at the gates Sir 
Palamides and Sir Gaheris, requiring to 
have the custom of the castle. What 
array is this ? said Sir Dinadan, I would 
have my rest. That may not be, said 
Sir Tristram ; now must we needs de- 
fend the custom of this castle, insomuch 
as we have the better of the lords of this 
castle, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, 
needs must ye make you ready. In the 
devil's name, said Sir Dinadan, came I 
into your company. And so they made 
them ready. And Sir Gaheris encoun- 
tered with Sir Tristram, and Sir Gaheris 
had a fall, and Sir Palamides encoun- 
tered with Sir Dinadan, and Sir Dinadan 
had a fall ; then was it fall for fall. So 
then must they fight on foot. That 
would not Sir Dinadan, for he was so 
sore bruised of the fall that Sir Pala- 
mides gave him. Then Sir Tristram 
unlaced Sir Dinadan's helm, and prayed 
him to help him. I will not, said Sir 
Dinadan, for I am sore wounded of the 
thirty knights that we had but late ago 
to do withal. But ye fare, said Sir 
Dinadan unto Sir Tristram, as a mad 
man, and as a man that is out of his 
mind, that would cast himself away, 
and I may curse the time that ever I 
saw you. For in all the world are not 
two such knights that be so wood as is 
Sir Launcelot and ye Sir Tristram : for 
once I fell in the fellowship of Sir 
Launcelot as I have now done with 
you, and he set me a work that a 
quarter of a year I kept my bed. 
Defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from such 
two knights, and specially from your 
fellowship. Then, said Sir Tristram, I 
will fight with them both. Then- Sir 
Tristram bad them come forth both, 
for I will fight with you. Then Sir 
Palamides and Sir Gaheris dressed them 
and smote at them both. Then Dina- 
dan smote at Sir Gaheris a stroke or 
two, and turned from him. Nay, said 
Sir Palamides, it is too much shame for 
us two knights to fight with one. And 
then he did bid Sir Gaheris stand aside 
with that knight that hath no list to 



fight. Then they rode together and 
fought long, and at the last Sir Tris- 
tram doubled his strokes and drove Sir 
Palamides aback more than three strides. 
And then by one assent Sir Gaheris and 
Sir Dinadan went betwixt them and de- 
parted them in sunder. And then by 
assent of Sir Tristram, they would have 
lodged together. But Sir Dinadan would 
not lodge in that castle, and then he 
cursed the time that ever he came in 
their fellowship. And so he took his 
horse and his harness and departed. 
Then Sir Tristram prayed the lords of 
that castle to lend him a man to bring 
him to a lodging. And so they did, 
and overtook Sir Dinadan, and rode to 
their lodging two miles thence with a 
good man in a priory, and there they 
were well at ease. And that same 
night. Sir Bors, and Sir Bleoberis, and 
Sir Ector, and Sir Driant, abode still 
in the same place there as Sir Tristram 
fought with the thirty knights, and 
there they met with Sir Launcelot the 
same night, and had made promise to 
lodge with Sir Colgrevance the same 
night. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How Sif Tristram justed with Sir Kay 
and Sir Sagramor le Desirous, and 
how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram 
from Morgan le Fay. 
But ation as the noble knight Sir 
Launcelot heard of the shield of Corn- 
wall, then wist he well that it was Sir 
Tristram that fought with his enemies. 
And then Sir Launcelot praised Sir 
Tristram, and called him the man of 
most worship in the world. So there 
was a knight in that priory that hight 
Pellinore, and he desired to wit the 
name of Sir Tristram, but in no wise he 
could not. And so Sir Tristram de- 
parted and left Sir Dinadan in the 
priory, for he was so weary and so sore 
bruised that he might not ride. Then 
this knight. Sir Pellinore, said to Sir 
Dinadan, Sithen that ye will not tell 
me that knight's name, I will ride after 
him and make him to tell me his name, 
or he shall die therefore. Beware, sir 



CHAP. XXVI. 



OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR GAWAINE. 



knight, said Sir Dinadan, for and ye 
follow him ye shall repent it. So that 
knight, Sir Pellinore, rode after Sir 
Tristram, and required him of justs. 
Then Sir Tristram smote him down, 
and wounded him through the shoulder, 
and so he past on his way. And on the 
next day following Sir Tristram met 
with pursuivants, and they told him that 
there was made a great cry of tourna- 
ment between king Carados of Scotland 
and the king of North Wales, and either 
should just against other at the Castle of 
Maidens. And these pursuivants sought 
all the country after the good knights, 
and in especial king Carados let make 
seeking for Sir Launcelot, and the king 
of Northgalis let seek after Sir Tristram 
de Liones. And at that time Sir Tris- 
tram thought to be at that justs, and so 
by adventure they met with Sir Kay the 
seneschal and Sir Sagramor le Desirous, 
and Sir Kay required Sir Tristram to 
just, and Sir Tristram in a manner re- 
fused him, because he would not be hurt 
nor bruised against the great justs that 
should be before the Castle of Maidens, 
and therefore he thought to repose him, 
and to rest him. And alway Sir Kay 
cried, Sir knight of Cornwall, just with 
me, or else yield thee to me as recreant. 
When Sir Tristram heard him say so, 
he turned to him, and then Sir Kay 
refused him, and turned his back. Then 
Sir Tristram said, As I find thee shall I 
take thee. Then Sir Kay turned with 
evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir 
Kay down, and so he rode forth. Then 
Sir Sagramor le Desirous rode after Sir 
Tristram and made him to just with him. 
And there Sir Tristram smote down Sir 
Sagramor le Desirous from his horse, 
and rode his way, and the same day he 
met with a damsel that told him that he 
should win great worship of a knight 
adventurous, that did much harm in all 
that country. 

When Sir Tristram heard her say so, 
he was glad to go with her to win 
worship. So Sir Tristram rode with 
that damsel a six mile, and then met 
him Sir Gawaine, and therewithal Sir 
Gawaine knew the damsel, that she was 



a damsel of queen Morgan le Fay. Then 
Sir Gawaine understood that she led that 
knight to some mischief. Fair knight, 
said Sir Gawaine, whither ride you now 
with that damsel? Sir, said Sir Tris- 
tram, I wot not whither I shall ride, 
but as the damsel will lead me. Sir, 
said Sir Gawaine, ye shall not ride with 
her, for she and her lady did never 
good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine 
pulled out his sword, and said, Damsel, 
but if thou tell me anon for what cause 
thou leadest this knight with thee, thou 
shalt die for it right anon. I know all 
your lady's treason and yours. Mercy, 
Sir Gawaine, she said, and if ye will 
save my life I will tell you. Say on, 
said Sir Gawaine, and thou shalt have 
thy life. Sir, she said, queen Morgan 
le Fay, my lady, hath ordained a thirty 
ladies to seek and espy after Sir Laun- 
celot or Sir Tristram, and by the trains of 
these ladies, who that may first meet with 
any of these two knights, they should 
turn them unto Morgan le Fay's castle, 
saying that they should do deeds of 
worship, and if any of those two knights 
came there, there be thirty knights lying 
and watching in a tower to wait upon 
Sir Launcelot, or upon Sir Tristram. 
Fie for shame, said Sir Gawaine, that 
ever such false treason should be 
wrought or used in a queen and a 
king's sister, and a king and queen's 
daughter. 

CHAP. XXVI. 

Hoiv Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode 
to have fojight against the thirty knights, 
but they dtirst not come out. 
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, will ye stand 
with me, and we will see the mahce of 
these thirty knights ? Sir, said Sir Tris- 
tiam, go ye to them and it please you, 
and ye shall see I will not fail you, for 
it is not long ago since I and a fellow 
met with thirty knights of that queen's 
fellowship; and God speed us s^o that 
we may win worship. So then Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Tristram rode toward 
the castle where Morgan le Fay was, 
and ever Sir Gawaine deemed well that 
he was Sir Tristram de Liones, because 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



he heard that two knights had slain 
and beaten thirty knights. And when 
they came afore the castle Sir Gawaine 
spake on high, and said, Queen Morgan 
le Fay, send out your knights that ye 
have laid in a watch for Sir Launcelot, 
and for Sir Tristram. Now, said Sir 
Gawaine, I know your false treason, and 
through all places where that I ride men 
shall know of your false treason. And 
now let see Sir Gawaine whether ye dare 
come out of your castle ye thirty knights. 
Then the queen spake and all the thirty 
knights at once, and said. Sir Gawaine, 
full well wotest thou what thou dost 
and sayest; for we know thee passing 
well; but all that thou speakest and 
dost thou sayest it upon pride of that 
good knight that is there with thee. 
For there be some of us that know full 
well the hands of that knight over all 
well, and wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, it 
is more for his sake than for thine that 
we will not come out of this castle. 
For wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, that 
knight that beareth the arms of Corn- 
wall we know him, and what he is. 
Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram 
departed, and rode on their ways a day 
or two together, and there by adven- 
ture they met with Sir Kay and Sir 
Sagramor le Desirous. And then they 
were glad of Sir Gawaine, and he of 
them, but they wist not what he was 
with the shield of Cornwall but by 
deeming. And thus they rode together 
a day or two. And then they were 
ware of Sir Breuse Sance Pite chasing 
a lady for to have slain her, for he had 
slain her lover before. Hold you all 
still, said Sir Gawaine, and shew none 
of you forth, and ye shall see me reward 
yonder false knight, for and he espy 
you he is so well horsed that he will 
escape away. And then Sir Gawaine 
rode betwixt Sir Breuse and the lady, 
and said. False knight, leave her and 
have ado with me. When Sir Breuse 
saw no more but Sir Gawaine he 
feutred his spear, and Sir Gawaine 
against him, and there Sir Breuse over- 
threw Sir Gawaine, and then he rode 
over him and overthwart him twenty 



times, to have destroyed him ; and when 
Sir Tristram saw him do so villainous a 
deed, he hurled out against him. And 
when Sir Breuse saw him with the 
shield of Cornwall, he knew him well 
that it was Sir Tristram, and then he 
fled, and Sir Tristram followed after 
him. And Sir Breuse Sance Pite 
was so horsed that he went his way 
quite. And Sir Tristram followed him 
long, for he would fain have been 
avenged upon him. And so when he 
had long chased him he saw a fair well, 
and thither he rode to repose him, and 
tied his horse to a tree. 

CHAP. xxvn. 

How damsel Bragwaine found Tristram 
sleeping by a well, a?id how she delivered 
letters to him from La Beale Isoud. 

And then he pulled off his helm, and 
washed his visage and his hands, and 
so he fell on sleep. In the mean while 
came a damsel that had sought Sir 
Tristram many ways and days within 
this land. And when she came to the 
well she looked upon him, and had for- 
gotten him as in remembrance of Sir 
Tristram, but by his horse she knew 
him, that hight Passe-Brewel, that had 
been Sir Tristram's horse many years. 
For when he was mad in the forest. Sir 
Fergus kept him. So this lady dame 
Bragwaine abode still till he was awake. 
So when she saw him wake she saluted 
him, and he her again, for either knew 
other of old acquaintance. Then she 
told him how she had sought him long 
and broad, and there she told him how 
she had letters from queen La Beale 
Isoud. Then anon Sir Tristram read 
them, and wit ye well he was glad, for 
therein was many a piteous complaint. 
Then Sir Tristram said. Lady Brag- 
waine, ye shall ride with me till that 
tournament be done at the Castle of 
Maidens ; and then shall ye bear_ letters 
and tidings with you. And then Sir Tris- 
tram took his horse and sought lodging, 
and there he met with a good ancient 
knight that prayed him to lodge with 
him. Right so came Gouvemail unto 



CHAP. xxvm. THE TOURNAMENT AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS. 221 



Sir Tristram, that was glad of that lady. 
So this old knight's name was Sir Pel- 
lounes, and he told of the great tourna- 
ment that should be at the Castle of 
Maidens. And there Sir Launcelot and 
thirty-two knights of his blood had or- 
dained shields of Cornwall. And right 1 
so there came one unto Sir Pellounes 
and told him that Sir Persides de Bloise ; 
was come home, and then that knight : 
held up his hands and thanked God of 
his coming home, and there Sir Pel- 
lounes told Sir Tristram that in two 
years he had not seen his son Sir Per- j 
sides. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I know j 
your son well enough for a good knight. ' 
So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir | 
Persides came to their lodging both at 
once, and so they unarmed them, and 
put upon them their clothing. And then 
these two knights each welcomed other. 
And when Persides understood that Sir 
Tristram was of Cornwall, he said he was 
once in Cornwall, — and there I justed 
afore king Mark, and so it happed me 
at that time to overthrow ten knights, 
and then came to me Sir Tristram de 
Liones and overthrew me, and took my 
lady from me, and that I shall never 
forget, but I shall remember me and 
ever I see my time. Ah, said Sir Tris- 
tram, now I understand that ye hate Sir 
Tristram. What deem ye, ween ye that 
Sir Tristram is not able to withstand 
your malice ? Yes, said Sir Persides, I 
know well that Sir Tristram is a noble 
knight, and a much better knight than 
I, yet shall I not owe him my good will. 
Right as they stood thus talking at a bay 
window of that castle, they saw many 
knights riding to and fro toward the 
tournament. And then was Sir Tris- 
tram ware of a likely knight riding 
upon a great black horse, and a black 
covered shield. What knight is that, 
said Sir Tristram, with the black horse 
and the black shield ? He seemeth to 
be a good knight. I know him well, 
said Sir Persides, he is one of the best 
knights of the world. Then is it Sir 
Launcelot, said Sir Tristram. Nay, said 
Sir Persides, it is Sir Palamides, that is 
yet unchristened. 



CHAP. XXVHI. 

Hoio Sir Tristram had a fall of Sir Pala- 
mides, and bow Launcelot overthrew two 
knights. 

Then they saw much people of the 
country salute Sir Palamides. And 
within a while after there came a squire 
of the castle that told Sir Pellounes, 
that was lord of that castle, that a 
knight with a black shield had smitten 
down thirteen knights. Fair brother, 
said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides, let 
us cast upon us our cloaks, and let us go 
see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, 
we will not go like knaves thither, but 
we will ride like men and good knights 
to withstand our enemies. So they 
anned them, and took their horses, and 
great spears, and thither they went, 
there as many knights assayed them- 
selves before the tournament. And 
anon Sir Palamides saw Sir Persides, 
and then he sent a squire i;nto him, and 
said. Go thou to the yonder knight with 
a green shield and therein a lion of 
gold, and say to him I require him to 
just with me, and tell him that my name 
is Sir Palamides. When Sir Persides 
understood that request of Sir Pala- 
mides he made him ready. And there 
anon they met together, but Sir Persides 
had a fall. Then Sir Tristram dressed 
him to be revenged upon Sir Palamides. 
And that saw Sir Palamides, that was 
ready, and so was not Sir Tristram, and 
took him at advantage, and smote him 
over his horse tail when he had no spear 
in his rest. Then start up Sir Tris- 
tram, and took his horse lightly, and 
was wroth out of measure, and sore 
ashamed of that fall. Then Sir Tris- 
tram sent unto Sir Palamides by Gouver- 
nail his squire, and prayed him to just 
with him at his request. Nay, said Sir 
Palamides, as at this time I will not just 
with that knight, for I know him better 
than he weeneth. And if he be wroth, 
he may right it to-morn at the Castle 
of Maidens, where he may see me and 
many other knights. With that came 
Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tris- 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



tram wroth he hst not to jest. Lo, said 
Sir -Dinadan, here may a man prove, be 
a man never so good yet may he have 
a fall, and he was never so wise but he 
might be overseen, and he rideth well 
that never fell. So Sir Tristram was 
passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides 
and Sir Dinadan, I will revenge me. 
Right so as they stood talking there, 
there came by Sir Tristram a likely 
knight, riding passing soberly and hea- 
vily, with a black shield. What knight 
is that ? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Per- 
sides. I know him well, said Sir Persides, 
for his name is Sir Briant of North 
Wales : so he past on among other 
knights of North W'ales. And there 
came in Sir Launcelot du Lake with a 
shield of the arms of Cornwall, and he 
sent a squire unto Sir Briant, and re- 
quired him to just with him. Well, said 
Sir Briant, since I am required to just I 
will do what I may. And there Sir Laun- 
celot smote down Sir Briant from his 
horse a great fall. And then Sir Tris- 
tram marvelled what knight he was 
that bare the shield of Cornwall. What- 
soever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I war- 
rant you he is of king Ban's blood, the 
which be knights of the most noble 
prowess in the world, for to account so 
many for so rrjany. Then there came 
two knights of Northgalis, the one 
hight Hew de la Montaine, and the 
other Sir Madok de la Montaine, and 
they challenged Sir Launcelot foot hot. 
Sir Launcelot not refusing them, but 
made him ready, with one spear he 
smote them down both over their horse 
croups, and so Sir Launcelot rode his 
way. By my fajth, said Sir Tristram, 
he is a good knight that beareth the 
shield of Cornwall, and me seemeth he 
rideth in the best manner that ever I 
saw knight ride. Then the king of 
Northgalis rode unto Sir Palamides, 
and prayed him heartily for his sake 
to just with that knight that hath done 
us of Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir 
Palamides, I am full loth to have ado 
with that knight, and cause why is for 
as to-morn the great tournament shall 
be, and therefore I will keep myself 



fresh by my will. Nay, said the king of 
Northgalis, I pray you require him of 
justs. Sir, said Sir Palamides, I will just 
at your request, and require that knight 
to just with me ; and often I have seen 
a man have a fall at his own request. 

CHAP. XXIX. 

How Sir Launceht justed with Palamides 
and overthrew him, and after he was 
assailed with twelve knights. 

Then Sir Palamides sent unto Sir 
Launcelot a squire, and required him 
of justs. Fair fellow, said Sir Laun- 
celot, tell me thy lord's name. Sir, 
said the squire, my lord's name is Sir 
Palamides the good knight. In good 
hour, said Sir Launcelot, for there is no 
knight that I saw this seven years that 
I had lever have ado withal than with 
him. And so either knights made them 
ready with two great spears. Nay, said 
Sir Dinadan, ye shall see that Sir Pala- 
mides will quit him right well. It may 
be so, said Sir Tristram, but I under- 
take that knight with the shield of 
Cornwall shall give him a fall. I be- 
lieve it not, said Sir Dinadan. Right so 
they spurred their horses, and feutred 
their spears, and either hit other, and 
Sir Palamides brake a spear upon Sir 
Laimcelot, and he sat and moved not, 
but Sir Launcelot smote him so lightly 
that he made his horse to avoid the 
saddle, and the stroke brake his shield 
and the hauberk, and had he not fallen 
he had been slain. How now, said Sir 
Tristram, I wist well by the manner of 
their riding both that Sir Palamides 
should have a fall. Right so Sir Laun- 
celot rode his way, and rode to a well 
to drink and to repose him, and they of 
Northgalis espied him whither he rode; 
and then there followed him twelve 
knights for to have mischieved him, for 
this cause, that upon the morn, at the 
tournament of the Castle of Maidens, 
that he should not win the victory. So 
they came upon Sir Launcelot suddenly, 
and scarcely he might put upon him his 
helm and take his horse but they were 
in hands with him. And then Sir Laun- 



CHAP. XXX. 



THE FIRST DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. 



223 



celot gat his spear and rode through 
them, and there he slew a knight, and 
brake his spear in his body. Then he 
drew his sword and smote upon the 
right hand and upon the left hand, so 
that within a few strokes he had slain 
other three knights, and the remnant 
that abode he wounded them sore, all 
that did abide. Thus Sir Launcelot es- 
caped from his enemies of North Wales, 
and then he rode forth on his way to a 
friend, and lodged him till on the morn, 
for he would not the first day have ado 
in the tournament, because of his great 
labour. And on the first day he was 
with king Arthur, there as he was set 
on high upon a scaffold, to discern who 
was best worthy of his deeds. So Sir 
Launcelot was with king Arthur, and 
justed not the first day. 

CHAP. XXX. 

Hoxv Sir Tristram behaved hirn the first 
day of the tournament, and there he had 
the prize. 

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram de 
Liones, that commanded G.ouvernail his 
servant to ordain him a black shield 
with none other remembrance therein. 
And so Sir Persides and Sir Tristram 
departed from their host Sir Pellounes 
and they rode early toward the tourna- 
ment, and then they drew them to king 
Carados' side of Scotland: and anon 
knights began the field, what of the 
king of Northgalis' part, and what of 
king Carados' part, and there began 
great party. Then there was hurling 
and rashing. Right so came in Sir Per- 
sides and Sir Tristram, and so they did 
fare that they put the king of North- 
galis aback. Then came in Sir ]51eo- 
beris de Ganis and Sir Gaheris with them 
of Northgalis, and then was Sir Persides 
smitten down and almost slain, for more 
than forty horsemen went over him. For 
Sir Bleoberis did great deeds of arms, 
and Sir Gaheris failed him not. When 
Sir Tristram beheld thein, and saw them 
do such deeds of arms, he marvelled 
what they were. Also Sir Tristram 
thou£jht shame that Sir Persides was so 



done to ; and then he gat a great spear 
in his hand, and then he rode to Sir 
Gaheris and smote him down from his 
horse. And then was Bleoberis wroth, 
and gat a spear and rode against Sir 
Tristram in great ire, and there Sir 
Tristram met with him, and smote Sir 
Bleoberis from his horse. So then the 
king with the hundred knights was 
wroth, and he horsed Sir Bleoberis 
and Sir Gaheris again, and there began 
a great meddle ; and ever Sir Tris- 
tram held them passing short, and 
ever Sir Bleoberis was passing busy 
upon Sir Tristram, And there came 
Sir Dinadan against Sir Tristram, and 
Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet 
that he swooned in his saddle. Then 
anon Sir Dinadan came to Sir Tristram, 
and said. Sir, I know thee better than 
thou weenest, but here I promise thee 
my troth I will never come against 
thee more, for I promise thee that 
sword of thine shall never come on my 
helm. With that came Sir Bleoberis, 
and Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet 
that down he laid his head : and then 
he caught him so sore by the helm that 
he pulled him under his horse feet. 
And then king Arthur blew to lodging. 
Then Sir Tristram departed to his 
pavilion, and Sir Dinadan rode with 
him. And Sir Persides and king Arthur 
then, and the kings upon both parties, 
marvelled what knight that was with 
the black shield. Many said their ad- 
vice, and some knew him for Sir Tris- 
tram, and held their peace, and would 
nought say. So that first day king 
Arthur and all the kings and lords 
that were judges gave Sir Tristram 
the prize, how be it they knew him 
not, but named him the knight with 
the black shield. 

CHAP. XXXI. 

How Sir Tristram returned against Mug 
Arthur's party, because he saw Sir Pala- 
mides on that party. 

Then upon the morn Sir Palamides 
returned from the king of Northgalis, 
and rode to king Arthur's side, where 



■224 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



was king Carados, and the king of Ire- 
land, and Sir Launcelot's kin, and Sir 
Gawaine's kin. So Sir Palamides sent 
the damsel unto Sir Tristram that he 
sent to seek him when he was out of 
his mind in the forest ; and this damsel 
asked Sir Tristram what he was, and 
what was his name. As for that, said 
Sir Tristram, tell Sir Palamides he shall 
not wit as at this time, unto the time I 
have broken two spears upon him. But 
let him wit thus much, said Sir Tris- 
tram, that I am the same knight that he 
smote down in over evening at the tour- 
nament, and tell him plainly, on what 
part that Sir Palamides be I will be on 
the contrary part. Sir, said the damsel, 
ye shall understand that Sir Palamides 
will be on king Arthur's side, where the 
most noble knights of the world be. 
Then, said Sir Tristram, will I be with 
the king of Northgalis, because Sir 
Palamides will be on king Arthur's side, 
and else I would not but for his sake. 
So when king Arthur was come they 
blew unto the field, and then there be- 
gan a great party, and so king Carados 
justed with the king with the hundred 
knights, and there king Carados had a 
fall ; then there was hurling and rash- 
ing, and right so came in knights of 
king Arthur's, and they bare back the 
king of Northgalis' knights. Then Sir 
Tristram came in, and began so roughly 
and so bigly that there was none might 
withstand him, and thus Sir Tristram 
endured long. And at the last Sir 
Tristram fell among the fellowship of 
king Ban, and there fell upon him Sir 
Bors de Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris, 
and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and many 
other knights. And then Sir Tristram 
smote on the right hand and on the left 
hand, that all lords and ladies spake of 
his noble deeds. But at the last Sir 
Tristram should have had the worse had 
not the king with the hundred knights 
been. And then he came with his fel- 
lowship and rescued Sir Tristram, and 
brought him away from those knights 
that bare the sliields of Cornwall. And 
then Sir Tristram saw another fellow- 
ship by themselves, and there were a 



forty knights together, and Sir Kay the 
seneschal was their governor. Then 
Sir Tristram rode in amongst them, and 
there he smote down Sir Kay from his 
horse, and there he fared among those 
knights like a grey hound among conies. 
Then Sir Launcelot found a knight that 
was sore wounded upon the head. Sir, 
said Sir Launcelot, who wounded you 
so sore? Sir, he said, a knight that 
beareth a black shield, and I may curse 
the time that ever I met with him, for 
he is a devil and no man. So vSir Laun- 
celot depai'ted from him, and thought 
to meet with Sir Tristram, and so he 
rode with his sword drawn in his hand 
to seek Sir Tristram, and then he espied 
him how he hurled here and there, and 
at every stroke Sir Tristram well nigh 
smote down a knight. O mercy, said 
the king, sith the time I bare arms saw 
I never no knight do so marvellous 
deeds of arms. And if I should set upon 
this knight, said Sir Launcelot to him- 
self, I did shame to myself ; and there- 
withal Sir Launcelot put up his sword. 
And then the king with the hundred 
knights and a hundred more of North 
Wales set upon the twenty of Sir Laun- 
celot's kin : and they twenty knights 
held them ever together as wild swine, 
and none would fail other. And so 
when Sir Tristram beheld the noblesse 
of these twenty knights, he marvelled of 
their good deeds, for he saw by their 
fare and by their rule, that they had 
lever die than avoid the field. Now, 
said Sir Tristram, well may he be valiant 
and full of prowess that hath such a sort 
of noble knights unto his kin, and full 
like is he to be a noble man that is their 
leader and governor. He meant it by 
Sir Launcelot du Lake. So when Sir 
Tristram had beholden them long, he 
thought shame to see two hundred 
knights battering upon twenty knights. 
Then Sir Tristram rode unto the king 
with the hundred knights and said, 
Sir, leave your fighting with those 
twenty knights, for ye win no worship 
of them, ye be so many, and they so 
few ; and wit ye well they will not out 
of the field, I see by their cheer and 



CHAP. XXXII. 



OF THE SORROW OF SIR PAL AMIDES. 



225 



countenance ; and worship get ye none 
and ye slay them. Therefore leave your 
fighting with them, for I to increase my 
worship I will ride to the twenty knights 
and help them with all my might and 
power. Nay, said the king with the 
hundred knights, ye shall not do so. 
Now I see your courage and courtesy 
I will withdraw my knights for your 
pleasure, for evermore a good knight 
will favour another, and like will draw 
to like. 

CHAP. XXXII. 
How Sir Tristram foutid Palamides by a 

well, and brozigbt him with him to his 

lodging. 

Then the king with the hundred 
knights withdrew his knights. And all 
this while, and long tofore. Sir Laun- 
celot had watched upon Sir Tristram 
with a very purpose to have fellow- 
shipped with him. And then suddenly 
Sir Tristram, Sir Dinadan, and Gouver- 
nail his man, rode their way into the 
forest, that no man perceived where 
they went. So then king Arthur blew 
unto lodging, and gave the king of 
Northgalis the prize, because Sir Tris- 
tram was upon his side. Then Sir 
Launcelot rode here and there, so wood 
as lion that wanted his fill, because he 
had lost Sir Tristram, and so he re- 
turned unto king Arthur. And then in 
all the field was a noise that with the 
wind it might be heard two mile thence, 
how the lords and ladies cried, The 
knight with the black shield hath won 
the field. Alas, said king Arthur, where is 
that knight become ? It is shame to all 
those in the field so to let him escape 
away from you; but with gentleness 
and courtesy ye might have brought 
him unto me to the Castle of Maidens. 
Then the noble king Arthur went unto 
his knights, and comforted them in the 
best wise that he could, and said. My 
fair fellows be not dismayed, howbeit 
ye have lost the field this day. And 
many were hurt and sore wounded, and 
many were whole. My fellows, said 
king Arthur, look that ye be of good 
cheer, for to-morrow I will be in the 



field with you, and revenge you of your 
enemies. 

So that night king Arthur and his 
knights reposed themselves. The dam- 
sel that came from La Beale Isoud 
unto Sir Tristram, all the while the 
tournament was a doing she was with 
queen Guenever, and ever the queen 
asked her for what cause she came into 
that country. Madam, she answered, 
I come for none other cause but from 
my lady La Beale Isoud to wit of your 
welfare. For in no wise she would 
not tell the queen that she came for 
Sir Tristram's sake. So this lady, dame 
Bragwaine, took her leave of queen 
Guenever, and she rode after Sir Tris- 
tram. And as she rode through the 
forest she heard a great cry, then she 
commanded her squire to go into that 
forest to wit what was that noise. And 
so he came to a well, and there he 
found a knight bound to a tree, crying 
as he had been wood, and his horse and 
his harness standing by him. And when 
he espied the squire, therewith he started 
and brake himself loose, and took his 
sword in his hand, and ran to have slain 
that squire. Then he took his horse 
and fled all that ever he might unto 
dame Bragwaine again, and told her of 
his adventure. Then she rode unto Sir 
Tristram's pavilion, and told Sir Tris- 
tram what adventure she had found in 
the forest. Alas, said Sir Tristram, 
upon my head there is some good 
knight at mischief. Then Sir Tristram 
took his horse and his sword and rode 
thither, and there he heard how the 
knight complained unto himself, and 
said, I, woeful knight. Sir Palamides, 
what misadventure befalleth me, that 
thus am defoiled with falsehood and 
treason, through Sir Bors and Sir Ector. 
Alas, he said, why live I so long ! And 
then he gat his sword in his hands, and 
made many strange signs and tokens, 
and so through his raging he threw his 
sword into that fountain. Then Sir 
Palamides wailed and wrang his hands. 
And at the last, for pure sorrow, he ran 
into that fountain over his middle, and 
sought after his sword. Then Sir Tris- 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



tram saw that, and ran upon Sir Pala- 
niides, and held him in his arms fast. 
What art thou, said Sir Palamides, that 
holdeth me so ? I am a man of this 
forest that would thee none harm, 
Alas, said Sir Palamides, I may never 
win worship where Sir Tristram is, for 
ever where he is and I be there then 
get I no worship, and if he be away for 
the most part I have the gree, unless 
that Sir Launcelot du Lake be there 
or Sir Lamorak, Then Sir Palamides 
said : Once in Ireland Sir Tristram put 
me to the worse, and another time in 
Cornwall, and in other places in this 
land. What would ye do, said Sir 
Tristram, and ye had Sir Tristram? I 
would fight with him, said Sir Pala- 
mides, and ease my heart upon him, 
and yet, to say the sooth. Sir Tristram 
is the gentlest knight in this world 
living. What will ye do ? said Sir 
Tristram, will ye go with me to your 
lodging? Nay, said he, I will go to 
the king with the hundred knights, for 
he rescued me from Sir Bors de Ganis 
and Sir Ector, and else had I been 
slain traitourly. Sir Tristram said him 
such kind words that Sir Palamides 
went with him to his lodging. Then 
Gouvernail went tofore and charged 
dame Bragwaine to go out of the way 
to her lodging, and bid ye Sir Persides 
that he make him no quarrels. And so 
they rode together till they came to Sir 
Tristram's pavilion, and there Sir Pala- 
mides had all the cheer that might be 
had all that night. But in no wise Sir 
Palamides might not know what was 
Sir Tristram. And so after supper they 
went to rest, and Sir Tristram for great 
travail slept till it was day. And Sir 
Palamides might not sleep for anguish, 
and in the dawning of the day he took 
his horse privily and rode his way unto 
Sir Gaheris and to Sir Sagramor le 
Desirous, where they were in their 
pavilions, for they three were fellows 
at the beginning of the tournament. 
And then upon the morn the king 
blew unto the tournament upon the 
third day. 



CHAP. XXXIII. 

Hoiu Sir Tristram smote down. Sir Pala- 
mides, and hoiv he justed with king 
Arthur, and other feats. 

So the king of Northgalis and the 
king with the hundred knights, they two 
encountered with king Carados and with 
the king of Ireland, and there the king 
with the hundred knights smote down 
king Carados, and the king of North- 
galis smote down the king of Ireland. 
With that came in Sir Palamides, and 
when he came he made great work, for 
by his indented shield he was well 
known. So came in king Arthur and 
did great deeds of arms together, and 
put the king of Northgalis and the king 
with the hundred knights to the worse. 
With this came in Sir Tristram with his 
black shield, and anon he justed with 
Sir Palamides, and there by fine force 
Sir Tristram smote Sir Palamides over 
his horse croup. Then king Arthur 
cried, Knight with the black shield 
make thee ready to me. And in the 
same wise Sir Tristram smote king 
Arthur. And then by force of king 
Arthur's knights the king and Sir 
Palamides were horsed again. Then 
king Arthur with a great eager heart 
gat a spear in his hand, and there upon 
the one side he smote Sir Tristram over 
his horse. Then foot-hot Sir Palamides 
came upon Sir Tristram as he was on 
foot, to have over-ridden him. Then Sir 
Tristram was ware of him, and there he 
stooped aside, and with great ire he gat 
him by the arm, and pulled him down 
from his horse. Then Sir Palamides 
lightly arose, and then they dash-d to- 
gether mightily with their sworas, and 
many kings, queens, and lords stood 
and beheld them. And at the last Sir 
Tristram smote Sir Palamides upon the 
helm three mighty strokes, and at every 
stroke that he gave him he said. Have 
this for Sir Tristram's sake. With that 
Sir Palamides fell to the earth grovel- 
ing. And then came the king with the 
hundred knights and brought Sir Tris- 
tram an horse, and so was he horsed 
again. By then was Sir Palamides 



CHAP. XXXIV. THE THIRD DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. 



227 



horsed, and with great ire he justed 
upon Sir Tristram with his spear as it 
was in the rest, and gave him a great 
dash with his spear. Then Sir Tristram 
avoided his spear and gat him by the 
neck with his both hands, and pulled 
him clean out of his saddle, and so he 
bare him afore him the length of ten 
spears, and then in the presence of them ' 
all he let him fall at his adventure. Then 
Sir Tristram was ware of king Arthur 
with a naked sword in his hand, and 
with his spear Sir Tristram ran upon 
king Arthur, and then king Arthur 
boldly abode him, and with his sword 
he smote a-two his spear, and there- 
withal Sir Tristram was astonished, and 
so king Arthur gave him three or four 
great strokes or he might get out his 
sword, and at the last Sir Tristram 
drew his sword and assailed other pass- 
ing hard. With that the great press 
parted, then Sir Tristram rode heie and 
there and did his great pain, that eleven 
of the good knights of the blood of king 
Ban, that was of Sir Launcelot's kin, 
that day Sir Tristram smote down, that 
all the estates marvelled of his great 
deeds, and all cried upon the knight 
with the black shield. 

CHAP. XXXIV. 

How Sir Lmmcelot hurt Sir Tristram, and 
how after Sir Tristram smote down 
Palomides. 

Then, this cry was so large that Sir 
Launcelot heard it. And then he gat a 
great spear in his hand, and came to- 
wards the cry. Then Sir Launcelot 
cried' The knight with the black shield, 
make' thee ready to just with me. When 
Sir Tristram heard him say so, he gat 
his spear in his hand, and either abashed 
down their heads, and came together as 
thunder, and Sir Tristram's spear brake 
in pieces, and Sir Launcelot by mal-for- 
tune struck Sir Tristram on the side a 
deep wound nigh to the death. But yet 
Sir Tristram avoided not his saddle, and 
so the spear brake: therewithal Sir 
Tristram that was wounded gat out his 
sword, and he rashed to Sir Launcelot, 



and gave him three great strokes upon 
the helm that the fire spang there out, 
and Sir Launcelot abashed his head 
lowly toward his saddle-bow. And 
therewithal Sir Tristram departed from 
the field, for he felt him so wounded 
that he wend he should have died. And 
Sir Dinadan espied him, and followed 
him into the forest. Then Sir Launcelot 
abode and did many marvellous deeds. 
So when Sir Tristram was departed by 
the forest side, he alight, and unlaced his 
harness and refreshed his wound. Then 
wend Sir Dinadan that he should have 
died. Nay, nay, said Sir Tristram, Di- 
nadan never dread thee, for I am heart 
whole, and of this wound I shall soon 
be whole by the mercy of God. By 
that Sir Dinadan was ware where 
came Sir Palamides riding straight upon 
them. And then Sir Tristram was ware 
that Sir Palamides came to have de- 
stroyed him. And so Sir Dinadan gave 
him warning and said, Sir Tristram, my 
lord, ye are so sore wounded that ye 
may not have ado with him, therefore I 
will ride against him and do to him 
what I may ; and if I be slain ye may 
pray for my soul, and in the meanwhile 
ye may withdraw you and go into the 
castle, or into the forest, that he shall 
not meet with you. Sir Tristram smiled 
and said, I thank you. Sir Dinadan, of 
your good will, but ye shall wit that I 
am able to handle him. And then anon 
hastily he armed him and took his horse 
and gat a great spear in his hand, and 
said to Sir Dinadan, Adieu, and rode 
toward vSir Palamides a soft pace. 

Then when Sir Palamides saw that, 
he made countenance to amend his 
horse ; but he did it for this cause, for 
he abode Sir Gaheris that came after 
him. And when he was come, he rode 
toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram 
sent unto Sir Palamides and required 
him to just with him ; and if he smote 
down Sir Palamides he would do no 
more to him ; and if it so happened 
that Sir Palamides smote down Sir Tris- 
tram he bad him do his utterance. So 
they were accorded. Then they met to- 
gether, and Sir Tristram smote down Sir 



228 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



Palamides, that he had a grievous fall, 
so that he lay still as he had been dead. 
And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Ga- 
heris, and he would not have justed, but 
whether he would or not Sir Tristram 
smote him over his horse croup, that he 
lay still as though he had been dead. 
And then Sir Tristram rode his way, and 
left Sir Persides' squire within the pa- 
vilions, and Sir Tristram and Sir Dina- 
dan rode to an old knight's place to 
lodge them. And that old knight had 
five sons at the tournament, for whom 
he prayed heartily for their coming 
home. And so, as the French book 
saith, they came home all five well 
beaten. 

And when Sir Tristram departed into 
the forest, Sir Launcelot held alway the 
fight like hard as a man enraged that 
took no heed to himself, and wit ye well 
there was many a noble knight against 
him. And when king Arthur saw Sir 
Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of 
arms, he then armed him, and took his 
horse and armour, and rode into the field 
to help Sir Launcelot, and so many 
knights came in with king Arthur. And 
to make short tale, in conclusion, the 
king of Northgalis and the king of the 
hundred knights were put to the worse, 
and because Sir Launcelot abode and 
was the last in the field, the prize was 
given him. But Sir Launcelot would 
neither for king, queen, nor knight have 
the prize. But where the cry was cried 
through the field. Sir Launcelot, Sir 
Launcelot, hath won the field this day. 
Sir Launcelot let make another cry con- 
trary. Sir Tristram hath won the field, 
for he began first, and last he hath en- 
dured, and so hath he done the first day, 
the second, and the third day. 

CHAP. XXXV. 

How tha prize of the third day was given 
to Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot gave 
it unto Sir Tristram. 

Then all the estates and degrees high 
and low said of Sir Launcelot great wor- 
ship for the honour that he did unto Sir 
Tristram, and for that honour doing to 



Sir Tristram he was at that time more 
praised and renowned than if he had 
overthrown five hundred knights : and 
all the people wholly for this gentleness, 
first the estates both high and low, and 
after the commonalty, cried at once, Sir 
Launcelot hath won the field, whosoever 
say nay. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth 
and ashamed, and so therewithal he 
rode to king Arthur. Alas, said the 
king, we are all dismayed that Sir Tris- 
tram is thus departed from us. Truly, 
said king Arthur, he is one of the no- 
blest knights that ever I saw hold spear 
or sword in hand, and the most cour- 
teyest knight in his fighting, for full hard 
I saw him, said king Arthur, when he 
smote Sir Palamides upon his helm, 
thrice that he abashed his helm with 
his strokes, and also he said, here is a 
stroke for Sir Tristram, and thus thrice 
he said. Then king Arthur, Sir Laun- 
celot, and Sir Dodinas le Savage took 
their horses to seek Sir Tristram, and 
by the means of Sir Persides he had told 
king Arthur where Sir Tristram was in 
his pavilion, but when they came there 
Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan were 
gone. Then king Arthur and Sir Laun- 
celot were heavy, and returned again 
to the Castle of Maidens making great 
dole for the hurt of Sir Tristram, and 
his sudden departing. Truly, said king 
Arthur, I am more heavy that I cannot 
meet with him than for all the hurts 
that all my knights have had at the 
tournament. Right so came Sir Ga- 
heris and told to king Arthur how Sir 
Tristram had smitten down Sir Pala- 
mides, and it was at Sir Palamides's own 
request. Alas, said king Arthur, that 
was great dishonour to Sir Palamides, 
inasmuch as Sir Tristram was sore 
wounded, and now may we all, kings, 
and knights, and men of worship, say 
that Sir Tristram may be called a noble 
knight, and one of the best knights that 
ever I saw the days of my life. For I 
will that ye all kings and knights know, 
said king Arthur, that I never saw 
knight do so marvellously as he hath 
done these three days, for he was the 
first that began, and that longest held 



CHAP, x-xxvi. SIR LA UNCELOrS QUEST FOR SIR TRISTRAM. 



on, save this last day. And though he 
was hurt, it was a manly adventure of 
two noble knights : and when two noble 
men encounter needs must the one have 
the worse, like as God will suffer at that 
time. As for me, said Sir Launcelot, 
for all the lands that ever my father left 
me I would not have hurt Sir Tristram 
and I had known him at that time. 
That I hurt him was for I saw not his 
shield, for if I had seen his black shield 
I would not have meddled with him for 
many causes, for late he did as much 
for me as ever knight did, and that is 
well known that he had ado with thirty 
knights, and no help save Sir Dinadan, 
And one thing shall I promise, said Sir 
Launcelot, Sir Palamides shall repent it, 
as in his unkindly dealing for to follow 
that noble knight that I by mishap hurt 
thus. Sir Launcelot said all the wor- 
ship that might 'be said by Sir Tristram. 
Then king Arthur made a great feast to 
all that would come. 

And thus let we pass king Arthur, 
and a little we will turn unto Sir Pala- 
mides, that, after he had a fall of Sir 
Tristram, he was nigh, hand enraged out 
of his wit for despite of Sir Tristram. 
And so he followed him by adventure. 
And as he came by a river in his wood- 
ness he would have made his horse to 
have lept over ; and the horse failed 
footing and fell in the river, wherefore 
Sir Palamides was adread lest he should 
have been drowned, and then he avoided 
his horse and swam to the land, and let 
his horse go down by adventure. 

CHAP. XXXVL 

How Sir Palamides came to the castle 
where Sir Tristram was, and of the 
quest that Sir Launcelot and ten knights 
made for Sir Tristram. 

And when he came to the land he 
took off his harness, and sat roaring 
and crying as a man out of his mind. 
Right so came a damsel even by Sir 
Palamides, that was sent from Sir Ga- 
waine and his brother unto Sir Mordred, 
that lay sick in the same place with that 
old knight where Sir Tristram was. For, 



229 



as the French book saith. Sir Persides 
hurt so Sir Mordred a ten days afore ; 
and had it not been for the love of Sir 
Gawaine and his brother. Sir Persides 
had slain Sir Mordred. And so this 
damsel came by Sir Palamides, and she 
and he had language together, the 
which pleased neither of them : and so 
the damsel rode her ways till she came 
to the old knight's place, and there she 
told that old knight how she had met 
with the woodest knight by adventure 
that ever she met withal. What bare 
he in his shield ? said Sir Tristram. It 
was indented with white and black, said 
the damsel. Ah, said Sir Tristram, that 
was Sir Palamides the good knight, for 
well I know him, said Sir Tristram, for 
one of the best knights living in this 
realm. Then that old knight took a little 
hackney, and rode for Sir Palamides, and 
brought him unto his own manor ; and 
then full well knew Sir Tristram Sir 
Palamides, but he said but little, for at 
that time Sir Tristram was walking upon 
his feet, and well amended of his hurts, 
and always when Sir Palamides saw Sir 
Tristram he would behold him full mar- 
vellously. And ever him seemed that 
he had seen him. Then would he say 
to Sir Dinadan, And ever I may meet 
with Sir Tristram, he shall not escape 
my hands. I marvel, said Sir Dinadan, 
that ye boast behind Sir Tristram, for 
it is but late that he was in your hands, 
and ye in his hands ; why would ye not 
hold him when ye had him ? for I saw 
myself twice or thrice that ye gat but 
little worship of Sir Tristram. Then 
was Sir Palamides ashamed. So leave 
we them a little while in the castle with 
the old knight Sir Darras. 

Now shall we speak of king Arthur, 
that said to Sir Launcelot, Had not ye 
been, we had not lost Sir Tristram, for 
he was here daily unto the time ye met 
with him, and in an evil time, said Ar- 
thur, ye encountered with him. My lord 
Arthur, said Launcelot, ye put upon me 
that I should be cause of his departure : 
truly it was against my will. But when 
men be hot in deeds of arms, often they 
hurt their friends as well as their foes ; 



230 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and my lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall 
understand that Sir Tristram is a man 
that I am loth to offend, for he hath 
done for me more than ever I did for 
him as yet. But then Sir Launcelot 
made to bring forth a book, and then 
Sir Launcelot said, Here we are ten 
knights that will swear upon a book 
never to rest one night where we rest 
another, this twelvemonth, until that 
we find Sir Tristram. And as for me, 
said Sir Launcelot, 1 promise you upon 
this book that and I may meet with 
him, either by fairness or foulness I 
shall bring him to this court, or else I 
shall die therefore. And the names of 
these ten knights that had undertaken 
this quest were these following. First 
was Sir Launcelot ; Sir Ector-de Maris, 
Sir Bors de Ganis, and Bleoberis, and 
Sir Blamor de Ganis, and Lucan the 
butler, Sir Uwaine, Sir Galihud, Sir 
Lionel, and Galiodin. So these ten 
noble knights departed from the court 
of king Arthur ; and so they rode upon 
their quest together until they came to 
a cross where departed four highways, 
and there departed the fellowship in 
four, to seek Sir Tristram. And as Sir 
Launcelot rode by adventure he met 
with dame Brag\vaine, that was sent 
into that country to seek Sir Tristram, 
and she fled as fast as her palfrey might 
go. So Sir Launcelot met with her, 
and asked her why she fled. Ah, fair 
knight, said dame Bragwaine, I flee for 
dread of my life, for here followeth 
me Sir Breuse Sance Pite to slay me. 
Hold you nigh me, said Sir Launcelot. 
Then when Sir Launcelot saw Sir Breuse 
Sance Pite, Sir Launcelot cried unto 
him and said. False knight, destroyer of 
ladies and damsels, now thy last days 
be come. When Sir Breuse Sance Pite 
saw Sir Launcelot's shield he knew it 
well, for at that time he bare not the 
arms of Cornwall, but he bare his own 
shield. And then Sir Breuse fled, and 
Sir Launcelot followed after him. But 
Sir Breuse was so well horsed, that 
when him list to flee he might well flee, 
and also abide when him list. And 
then Sir Launcelot returned unto dame 



Bragwaine, and she thanked him of his 
great labour. 

CHAP. XXX VIL 

Hovj Sir Tristram, Sir Palamides, and 
Sir Dinadan were taken and put in 
prison. 

Now will we speak of Sir Lucan the 
butler, that by fortune came riding to 
the same place there as was Sir Tris- 
tram, and in he came in none other 
intent but to ask harbour. Then the 
porter asked what was his name. Tell 
your lord that my name is Sir Lucan 
the butler, a knight of the Round Table. 
So the porter went unto Sir Darras, lord 
of the place, and told him who was . 
there to ask harbour. Nay, nay, said 
Sir Daname, that was nephew unto Sir 
Darras, say him that he shall not be 
lodged here. But let him wit that I 
Sir Daname will meet with him anon, 
and bid him make him ready. So Sir 
Daname came forth on horseback, and 
there they met together with spears, 
and Sir Lucan smote down Sir Daname 
over his horse croup, and then he fled 
into that place, and Sir Lucan rode after 
him, and asked after him m^ny times. 
Then Sir Dinadan said to Sir Tristram, 
It is shame to see the lord's cousin of 
this place defoiled. Abide, said Sir 
Tristram, and I shall redress it. And 
in the mean while Sir Dinadan was on 
horseback, and he justed with Lucan 
the butler, and there Sir Lucan smote 
Dinadan through the thick of the thigh, 
and so he rode his way, and Sir Tris- 
tram was wroth that Sir Dinadan was 
hurt, and followed after, and thought 
to avenge him. And within a mile he 
overtook Sir Lucan and bade him turn : 
and so they met together, so that Sir 
Tristram hurt Sir Lucan passing sore, 
and gave him a fall. With that came 
Sir Uwaine, a gentle knight, and when 
he saw Sir Lucan so hurt, he called Sir 
Tristram to just with him. Fair knight, 
said Sir Tristram, tell me your name I 
require you. Sir knight, wit ye well 
my name is Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy 
Ureine. Ah, said Sir Tristram, by my 



CHAP. XXXVII. HOW TRISTRAM WAS IN PRISON AND SICK. 



^31 



will I would not have ado with you at 
no time. Ye shall not so, said Sir 
Uwaine, but ye shall have ado with me. 
And then Sir Tristram saw none other 
boot, but rode against him, and over- 
threw Sir Uwaine, and hurt him in the 
side, and so he departed unto his lodging 
again. And when Sir Dinadan under- 
stood that Sir Tristram had hurt Sir 
Lucan, he would have ridden after Sir 
Lucan to have slain him, but Sir Tris- 
tram would not suffer him. 

Then Sir Uwaine let ordain an horse- 
litter, and brought Sir Lucan to the 
abbey of Ganis, and the castle thereby 
hight the castle of Ganis, of the which 
Sir Bleoberis was lord. And at that 
castle Sir Launcelot promised all his 
fellows to meet in the quest of Sir Tris- 
tram. So when Sir Tristram was come 
to his lodging, there came a damsel that 
told Sir Darras that three of his sons 
were slain at that tournament, and two 
grievously wounded that they were never 
like to help themselves, and all this was 
done by a noble knight that bare the 
black shield, and that was he that bare 
the prize. Then came there one and 
told Sir Darras that the same knight 
was within him that bare the black 
shield. Then Sir Darras went unto 
Sir Tristram's chamber, and there he 
found his shield and shewed it to the 
damsel. Ah, sir, said the damsel, that 
same is he that slew your three sons. 
Then without any tarrying Sir Darras 
put Sir Tristram, and Sir Palamides, 
and Sir Dinadan within a strong prison, 
and there Sir Tristram was like to have 
died of great sickness, and every day Sir 
Palamides would reprove Sir Tristram 
of old hate betwixt them. And ever 
Sir Tristram spake fair and said little. 
But when Sir Palamides saw the falling 
of sickness of Sir Tristram then was he 
heavy for him, and comforted him in all 
the best wise he could. And, as the 
French book saith, there came forty 
knights to Sir Darras that were of his 
own kin, and they would have slain Sir 
Tristram and his two fellows, but Sir 
Darras would not suffer that, but kept 
them in prison, and meat and drink 



they had. So Sir Tristram endured 
there great pain, for sickness had under- 
taken him, and that is the greatest 
pain a piisoner may have. For all the 
while a prisoner may have his health of 
body, he may endure under the mercy 
of God, and in hope of good deliver- 
ance ; but when sickness toucheth a 
prisoner's body, then may a prisoner 
say all wealth is him bereft, and then 
he hath cause to wail and to weep. 
And so did Sir Tristram when sickness 
had undertaken him, for then he took 
such sorrow that he had almost slain 
himself. 

CHAP. XXXVIII. 
How king Mark was sorry for the good 

renown of Sir Tristram : some of king 

Arthur's knights justed with knights of 

Cornwall. 

Now will we speak, and leave Sir Tris- 
tram, Sir Palamides, and Sir Dinadan in 
prison, and speak we of other knights 
that sought after Sir Tristram many 
divers parts of this land. And some 
went into Cornwall, and by adventure 
Sir Gaheris, nephew unto king Arthur, 
came unto king Mark, and there he was 
well received, and sat at king Mark's 
own table and eat of his own mess. 
Then king Mark asked Sir Gaheris 
what tidings there were in the realm of 
Logris. Sir, said Sir Gaheris, the king 
reigneth as a noble knight, and now but 
late there was a great justs and tourna- 
ment as ever I saw any in the realm of 
Logris, and the most noble knights were 
at that justs. But there was one knight 
that did marvellously three days, and he 
bare a black shield, and of all knights 
that ever I saw he proved the best 
knight. Then said king Mark, That 
was' Sir Launcelot, or Sir Palamides the 
Paynim. Not so, said Sir Gaheris, for 
both Sir Launcelot and Sir Palamides 
were on the contrary part against the 
knight with the black shield. Then it 
was Sir Tristram, said the king." Yea, 
said Sir Gaheris. And therewith the king 
smote down his head, and in his heart 
he feared sore that Sir Tristram should 
get him such worship in the realm of 



2 3 2 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



Logris, where through that he himself 
should not be able "to withstand him. 
Thus Sir Gaheris had great cheer with 
king Mark, and with queen La Beale 
Isoud, the which was glad of Sir Ga- 
heris' words ; for well she wist by his 
deeds and manners that it was Sir Tris- 
tram. And then the king made a feast 
royal, and unto that feast came Sir 
Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine, and 
some folk called him Uwaine le Blanche 
INIains. And this Sir Uwaine challenged 
all the knights of Cornwall. Then was 
the king wood wroth that he had no 
knights to answer him. Then Sir An- 
dred, nephew unto king Mark, lept up 
and said, I will encounter with Sir 
Uwaine. Then he went and armed him, 
and horsed him in the best manner. 
And there Sir Uwaine met with Sir 
Andred and smote him down, that he 
swooned on the earth. Then was king 
Mark sorry and wroth out of measure 
that he had no knight to revenge his 
nephew Sir Andred. So the king called 
unto him Sir Dinas the seneschal, and 
prayed him for his sake to take upon 
him to just with Sir Uwaine. Sir, said 
Sir Dinas, I am full loth to have ado 
with any knight of the Round Table. 
Yet, said the king, for my love take 
upon thee to just. So Sir Dinas made 
him ready, and anon they encountered 
together with great spears, but Sir Di- 
nas was overthrown, horse and man, 
a great fall. Who was wroth but 
king Mark? Alas, he said, have I no 
knight that will encounter with yon- 
der knight. Sir, said Sir Gaheris, for 
your sake I will just. So Sir Gaheris 
made him ready, and when he was 
armed he rode into the field. And when 
Sir Uwaine saw Sir Gaheris' shield, he 
rode unto him and said. Sir, ye do not 
your part ; for, sir, the first time ye 
were made knight of the Round Table 
ye sware that ye should not have ado 
with your fellowship wittingly. And 
pardy Sir Gaheris, ye knew me well 
enough by my shield, and so do I know 
you by your shield, and though ye 
would break your oath I would not 
break mine, for there is not one here, 



nor ye, that shall think I am afraid of 
you, but I durst right well have ado 
with you, but we be sisters' sons. Then 
was Sir Gaheris ashamed. And so there- 
withal every knight went his way, and 
Sir Uwaine rode into the country. Then 
king Mark armed him and took his 
horse and his spear, with a squire with 
him. And then he rode afore Sir 
Uwaine, and suddenly at a gap he ran 
upon him as he that was not ware of 
him, and there he smote him almost 
through the body, and there left him. 
So within a while there came Sir Kay, 
and found Sir Uwaine, and asked him 
how he was hurt. I wot not, said Sir 
Uwaine, why, nor wherefore, but by 
treason I am sure I gat this hurt, for 
here came a knight suddenly upon me 
or that I was ware, and suddenly hurt 
me. Then there was come Sir Andred 
to seek king Mark. Thou traitor knight, 
said Sir Kay, and I wist it were thou 
that thus traitourly hast hurt this 
noble knight, thou shouldst never pass 
my hands. Sir, said Sir Andred, I did 
never hurt him, and that I will report 
me to himself. Fie on you, false knights, 
said Sir Kay, for ye of Cornwall are 
nought worth. So Sir Kay made carry 
Sir Uwaine to the abbey of the black 
cross, and there he was healed. And 
then Sir Gaheris took his leave of king 
Mark. But or he departed he said. Sir 
king, ye did a foul shame unto you and 
your court when ye banished Sir Tris- 
tram out of this country, for ye needed 
not to have doubted no knight and he 
had been here. And so he departed. 

CHAP. XXXIX. 

Of the treason of hing Mark, and how Sir 
Gaheris smote him down and Andred 
his cousin. 

Then there came Sir Kay the seneschal 
unto king Mark, and there he had good 
cheer shewing outward. Now fair lords, 
said he, will ye prove any adventures 
in the forest of Morris, in the which I 
know well is as hard an adventure as 
I know any. Sir, said Sir Kay, I will 
prove it. And Sir Gf^h^ris said he would 



CHAP. XXXIX. 



OF KING MARK'S TREASON. 



233 



be advised, for king Mark was ever full 
of treason. And therewithal Sir Ga- 
heris departed and rode his way. And 
by the same way that Sir Kay should 
ride he laid him down to rest, charging 
his squire to wait upon Sir Kay, — and 
warn me when he com.eth. So within a 
while Sir Kay came riding that way. 
And then Sir Gaheris took his horse 
and met him, and said, Sir Kay, ye are 
not wise to ride at the request of king 
Mark, for he dealeth all with treason. 
Then said Sir Kay, I require you let us 
prove this adventure. I shall not fail 
you, said Sir Gaheris. And so they 
rode that time till a lake that was that 
time called the perilous lake, and there 
they abode under the shawe of the wood. 
The mean while king Mark within the 
castle of Tintagil avoided all his barons, 
and all other save such as were privy 
with him were all avoided out of his 
chamber. And then he let call his 
nephew Sir Andred, and bad arm him 
and horse him lightly, and by that time 
it was midnight. And so king Mark 
was armed in black, horse and all. And 
so at a privy postern they two issued 
out with their varlets with them, and 
rode till they came to that lake. Then 
Sir Kay espied them first, and gat his 
spear, and proffered to just. And king 
Mark rode against him, and smote each 
other full hard, for the moon shone as 
the bright day. And there at that justs 
Sir Kay's horse fell down, for his horse 
was not so big as the king's horse was, 
and Sir Kay's horse bruised him full 
sore. Thep Sir Gaheris was wroth that 
Sir Kay had a fall. Then he cried, 
Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for 
I will revenge my fellow. Then king 
Mark was afeard of Sir Gaheris, and so 
with evil will king Mark rode against 
him : and Sir Gaheris gave him such a 
stroke that he fell down. So then forth- 
withal Sir Gaheris ran unto Sir Andred, 
and smote him from his horse quite that 
his helm smote in the earth and nigh 
had broken his neck. And therewith Sir 
Gaheris alight, and gat up Sir Kay. 
And then they went both on foot to 
them, and bad them yield them and tell 



their names, or else they should die. 
Then with great pain Sir Andred spake 
first and said, It is king Mark of Corn- 
wall, therefore beware what ye do, and 
I am Sir Andred his cousin. Fie on you 
both, said Sir Gaheris, for a false trai- 
tor, and false treason hast thou wrought 
and he both, under the feigned cheer that 
ye made us. It were pity, said Sir Ga- 
heris, that thou shouldst live any longer. 
Save my life, said king Mark, and I will 
make amends ; and consider that I am a 
king anointed. It were the more shame, 
said Sir Gaheris, to save thy life ; thou 
art a king anointed with crism, and 
therefore thou shouldest hold with all 
men of worship ; and therefore thou art 
worthy to die. With that he lashed at 
king Mark without saying any more; 
and he covered him with his shield, and 
defended him as he might. And then 
Sir Kay lashed at Sir Andred. And 
therewithal king Mark yielded him unto 
Sir Gaheris, and then he kneeled down, 
and made his oath upon the cross of 
the sword that never while he lived he 
would be against errant knights. And 
also he sware to be good friend unto 
Sir Tristram, if ever he came into Corn- 
wall. By then Sir Andred was on the 
earth, and Sir Kay would have slain 
him. Let be, said Sir Gaheris, slay him 
not I pray you. It were pity, said Sir 
Kay, that he should live any longer, for 
this is nigh cousin unto Sir Tristram, 
and ever he hath been a traitor unto 
him, and by him he was exiled out of 
Cornwall, and therefore I will slay him, 
said Sir Kay. Ye shall not, said vSir Ga- 
heris ; sithen I have given the king his 
life, I pray you give him his life. And 
therewithal Sir Kay let him go. And so 
Sir Kay and Sir Gaheris rode forth their 
way unto Dinas the seneschal, for be- 
cause they heard say that he loved well 
Sir Tristram. So they reposed them 
there. And soon after they rode unto 
the realm of Logris. And so within a 
little while they met with Sir Launcelot, 
that had always dame Bragwaine with 
him, to that intent he wend to have met 
sooner with Sir Tristram, and Sir Laun- 
celot asked what tidings in Cornwall, 



234 



.MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and whether they heard of Su" Tristram 
or not. Sir Kay and Sir Gaheris an- 
swered and said that they heard not of 
him. Then they told Sir Launcelot word 
by word of their adventure. Then Sir 
Launcelot smiled, and said, Hard it is 
to take out of the flesh that is bred in 
the bone. And so made them merry 
together. 

CHAP. XL. 

Hoio after that Sir Tristram, Sir Pala- 
inides, and Sir Dinadan had been lotig 
in prisoti they were delivered. 
Now leave we off this tale and speak 
we of Sir Dinas that loved a lady within 
the castle, and she loved another knight 
better than him. And so when Sir 
Dinas went out on hunting she slipped 
down by a towel, and took with her 
two brachets, and so she went to the 
knight that she loved. And when Sir 
Dinas came home and missed his 
lady, and his brachets, then was he 
more wroth for his brachets than for 
the lady. So then he rode after the 
knight that had his lady, and bad 
him turn and just. So Sir Dinas 
smote him down, that with the fall he 
brake his leg and his arm. And then 
his lady cried Sir Dinas mercy, and 
said she would love him better than 
ever she did. Nay, said Sir Dinas, I 
shall never trust them that once be- 
trayed me, and therefore as ye have 
begun so end, for I will never meddle 
with you. And so Sir Dinas departed 
and took his brachets with him, and 
so rode to his castle. 

Now will we turn unto Sir Launcelot, 
that was right heavy that he could never 
hear no tidings of Sir Tristram, for all 
this while he was in prison with Sir 
Darras, Palamides, and Dinadan. Then 
dame Bragwaine took her leave to go 
into Cornwall, and Sir Launcelot, Sir 
Kay, and Sir Gaheris rode to seek Sir 
Tristram in the country of Surluse. 
Now speaketh this tale of Sir Tristram 
and of his two fellows, for every day 
Sir Palamides brawled and said lan- 
guage against Sir Tristram. I marvel, 
said Sir Dinadan, of thee Sir Palamides : 



and thou hadst Sir Tristram here thou 
wouldst do him no harm ; for and a 
wolf and a sheep were together in 
prison, the wolf would suffer the sheep 
to be in peace. And wit thou well, 
said Sir Dinadan, this same is Sir Tris- 
tram at a word, and now mayest thou 
do thy best with him, and let see now 
how ye can shift it with your hands. 
Then was Sir Palamides abashed and 
said little. Sir Palamides, said Sir ! 
Tristram, I have heard much of your 
ill-will against me, but 1 will not 
meddle with you as at this time by my 
will, because I dread the lord of this 
place that hath us in governance, for 
and I dread him more than I do thee, 
soon should it be shift. So they ap- 
peased themselves. Right so came in a 
damsel and said. Knights, be of good 
cheer, for ye are sure of your lives, and 
that I heard say my lord Sir Darras. 
Then were they glad all three, for daily 
they wend they should have died. Then 
soon after this Sir Tristram fell sick, 
that he wend to have died. Then Sir 
Dinadan wept, and so did Sir Pala- 
mides under them both making great 
sorrow. So a damsel came into them, 
and found them mourning. Then she 
went to Sir Darras and told him how 
that mighty knight that bare the black 
shield was likely to die. That shall 
not be, said Sir Darras, for God defend 
when any knights come to me for 
succour that I should suffer them to 
die within my prison. Therefore, said 
Sir Darras to the damsel, fetch that 
knight and his fellows afore me. And 
then anon when Sir Darras saw Sir 
Tristram afore him, he said. Sir knight, 
me repenteth of thy sickness, for thou 
art called a full noble knight, and so it 
seemeth by thee. And wit ye well, it 
shall never be said that Sir Darras 
shall destroy such a noble knight as 
thou art in prison, howbeit that thou 
hast slain three of my sons, whereby I 
was greatly agrieved. But now shalt 
thou go and thy fellows, and your 
harness and horses have been fair and 
clean kept, and ye shall go where it 
liketh you, upon this covenant, that 



OF SIR BREUSE SANCE PITE. 



235 



thou, knight, will promise me to be 
good friend to my sons two that be 
now on live, and also that thou tell me 
thy name. Sir, said he, as for me, my 
name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and in 
Cornwall was I born, and nephew I am 
unto king Mark. And as for the death 
of your sons, I might not do withal, 
for and they had been the next kin that 
I have, I might have done none other- 
wise. And if I had slain them by 
treason or treachery, I had been worthy 
to have died. All this I consider, said 
Sir Darras, that all that ye did was by 
force of knighthood, and that was the 
cause I would not put you to death. 
But since ye be Sir Tristram the good 
knight, I pray you heartily to be my 
good friend and to my sous. Sir, said 
Sir Tristram, I promise you by the faith 
of my body ever while I live I will do 
you service, for ye have done to us but 
as a natural knight ought to do. Then 
Sir Tristram reposed him there till that 
he was amended of his sickness. And 
when he was big and strong they took 
their leave, and every knight took their 
horses and so departed, and rode to- 
gether till they came to a cross way. 
Now fellows, said Sir Tristram, here 
will we depart in sundry ways. And 
because Sir Dinadan had the first ad- 
venture, of him I will begin. 

CHAP. XLI. 

How Sir Dinadan rescued a lady from 
Sir Breuse Sance Pile, and how Sir 
Tristram received a shield of Morgan 
le Fay. 

So as Sir Dinadan rode by a well, he 
found a lady making great dole. What 
aileth you? said Sir Dinadan. Sir' 
knight, said the lady, I am the wo- 
fullest lady of the world, for within j 
these five days here came a knight 
called Sir Breuse Sance Pite, and he 
slew mine own brother, and ever since 
he hath kept me at his own will, and of 
all men in the world I hate him most. 
And therefore I require you of knight- 
hood to avenge me, for he will not 
tariy but be here anon. Let him come, 



said Sir Dinadan, and because of honour 
of all women I will do my part. \Mth 
this came Sir Breuse, and when he saw 
a knight with his lady, he was wood 
wroth. And then he said. Sir knight, 
keep thee from me. So they hurled 
together as thunder, and either smote 
other passing sore. But Sir Dinadan 
put him through the shoulder a grievous 
wound, and or ever Sir Dinadan might 
turn him. Sir Breuse was gone and fled. 
Then the lady prayed him to bring her 
to a castle there beside but four mile 
thence. And so Sir Dinadan brought 
her there, and she was welcome, for the 
lord of that castle was her uncle. And 
so Sir Dinadan rode his way upon his 
adventure. 

Now turn we this tale unto Sir Tris- 
tram, that by adventure he came to a 
castle to ask lodging, wherein was queen 
Morgan le Fay. And so when Sir Tris- 
tram was let into that castle he had 
good cheer all that night. And upon 
the morn when he would have departed, 
the queen said, Wit ye well ye shall 
not depart lightly, for ye are here as 
a prisoner. God defend, said Sir Tris- 
tram, for I was but late a prisoner. 
Fair knight, said the queen, ye shall 
abide with me till that I wit what ye 
are, and from whence ye come. And 
ever the queen would set Sir Tristram on 
her side, and her paramour on the other 
side, and ever queen Morgan would 
behold Sir Tristram, and thereat the 
knight was jealous, and was in will 
suddenly to have run upon Sir Tristram 
with a sword, but he left it for shame. 
Then the queen said to Sir Tristram, 
Tell me thy name, and I shall suffer you 
to depart when you will. Upon that 
covenant I tell you my name is Sir 
Tristram de Liones. Ah, said Morgan 
le Fay, and I had wist that thou 
shouldst not have departed so soon as 
thou shalt : but sithen I have made a 
promise I will hold it, with that thou 
wilt promise me to bear upon thee a 
shield that I shall deliver thee, unto the 
castle of the Hard Rock, where king 
Arthur hath cried a great tournament, 
and there I pray you that ye will be. 



236 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and to do for me as much deeds of 
arms as ye may do. For at that Castle 
of Maidens, Sir Tristram, ye did mar- 
vellous deeds of arms as ever I heard 
knight do. Madam, said Sir Tristram, 
let me see the shield that I shall bear. 
So the shield was brought forth, and 
the shield was goldish, with a king and 
a .queen therein painted, and a knight 
standing above them, with one foot 
upon the king's head, and the other 
upon the queen's. Madam, said Sir Tris- 
tram, this is a fair shield and a mighty ; 
but what signifieth this king and this 
queen and that knight standing upon 
both their heads. I shall tell you, said 
Morgan le Fay, it signifieth king Arthur 
and queen Guenever, and a knight that 
holdeth them both in bondage and 
servage. Who is that knight ? said Sir 
Tristram. That shall ye not wit as at 
this time, said the queen. But, as the 
French book saith, queen Morgan loved 
Sir Launcelot best, and ever she desired 
him, and he would never love her, nor 
do nothing at her request, and therefore 
she held many knights together for to 
have taken him by strength. And be- 
cause she deemed that Sir Launcelot 
loved queen Guenever, and she him 
again, therefore queen Morgan le Fay 
ordained that shield to put Sir Launce- 
lot to a rebuke, to that intent that king 
Arthur might understand the love be- 
tween thein. Then Sir Tristram took 
that shield and promised her to bear it 
at the tournament at the castle of the 
Hard Rock. But Sir Tristram knew 
not that shield was ordained against Sir 
Launcelot, but afterward he knew it. 

CHAP. XLIL 

How Sir Tristram took with him the shield, 
and also how he slew the paramour of 
Morgan le Fay. 

So then Sir Tristram took his leave 
of the queen, and took the shield with 
him. Then came the knight that held 
queen Morgan le Fay, his name was Sir 
Hemison, and he made him ready to 
follow Sir Tristram, Fair friend, said 
Morgan, ride not after that knight, for 



ye shall win no worship of him. Fie 
on him, coward, said Sir Hemison, for 
I wist never good knight come out of 
Cornwall, but if it were Sir Tristram de 
Liones. What and that be he, said 
she. Nay, nay, said he, he is with La 
Beale Isoud, and this is but a daffish 
knight. Alas my fair friend, ye shall 
find him the best knight that ever ye 
met withal, for I know him better than 
ye do. For yo^r sake, said Sir Hemi- 
son, I shall slay him. Ah, fair friend, 
said the queen, me repenteth that ye 
will follow that knight, for I fear me 
sore of your again coming. With this, 
this knight rode his way wood wroth, 
and he rode after Sir Tristram as fast 
as he had been chased with knights. 
Wlien Sir Tristram heard a knight come 
after him so fast, he returned about, 
and saw a knight coming against him. 
And when he came nigh to Sir Tris- 
tram, he cried on high, Sir knight, keep 
thee from me. Then they rushed to- 
gether as it had been thunder, and Sir 
Hemison bryised his spear upon Sir 
Tristram, but his harness was so good 
that he might not hurt him. And Sir 
Tristram smote him harder, and bare 
him through the body, and he fell over 
his horse croup. Then Sir Tristram 
turned to have done more with his 
sword, but he saw so much blood go 
from him, that him seemed he was 
likely to die : and so he departed from 
him and came to a fair manor to an 
old knight, and there Sir Tristram 
lodged. 

CHAP. XLIII. 

How Morgan le Fay buried her paramour, 
and how Sir Tristram praised Sir Laun- 
celot and his kin. 

Now leave we to speak of Sir Tris- 
tram, and speak we of the knight that 
was wounded to the death. Then his 
varlet alight, and took off his helm ; and 
then he asked his master whether there 
were any life in him. There is in me 
life, said the knight, but it is but little, 
and therefore leap thou up behind me, 
when thou hast holpen me up ; and hold 
me fast that I fall not, and bring me 



CHAP. XLIV. 



OF MORGAN LE FAY'S SHIELD. 



m 



to queen Morgan le Fay, for deep 
draughts of death draw to my heart, 
that I may not hve, for I would fain 
speak with her or I died. For else my 
soul will be in great peril and I die. 
And with great pain his varlet brought 
him to the castle, and there Sir Hemi- 
son fell down dead. When Morgan le 
Fay saw him dead, she made great sor- 
row out of reason. And then she let 
despoil him unto his shirt, and so she 
let him put into a tomb. And about 
the tomb she let write: Here lieth Sir 
Hemison, slain by the hands of Sir Tris- 
tram de Liones. Now turn we unto Sir 
Tristram, that asked the knight, his host, 
if he saw late any knights adventurous. 
Sir, he said, the last night here lodged 
with me Sir Ector de Maris and a damsel 
with him, and that damsel told me that 
he was one of the best knights of the 
world. That is not so, said Sir Tris- 
tram, for I know four better knights of 
his own blood ; and the first is Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, call him the best knight ; 
and Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir 
Blamor de Ganis, and Sir Gaheris. Nay, 
said his host. Sir Gawaine is a better 
knight than he. That is not so, said 
Sir Tristram, for I have met with them 
both, and I felt Sir Gaheris for the 
better knight ; and Sir Lamorak, I call 
him as good as any of them, except Sir 
Launcelot. Why name ye not Sir Tris- 
tram, said his host, for I account him as 
good as any of them. I know not Sir 
Tristram, said Tristram. Thus they 
talked and jested as long as them list, 
and then went to rest. And on the morn 
Sir Tristram departed and took his 
leave of his host, and rode towards the 
Roche-dure, and none adventure had Sir 
Tristram but that, and so he rested not 
till he came to the castle, where he saw 
five hundred tents. 

CHAP. XLIV. 

How Sir Tristrafn at a tournament bare 
the shield that Morgan le Fay had de- 
livered hi?7i. 

Then the king of Scots and the king 
of Ireland held against king Arthur's 



knights, and there began a great meddle. 
So came in Sir Tristram and did mar- 
vellous deeds of arms, for there he smote 
down many knights. And ever he was 
afore king Arthur with that shield. 
And when king Arthur saw that shield, 
he marvelled greatly in what intent it 
was made. But queen Guenever deemed 
as it was, wherefore she was heavy. 
Then was there a damsel of queen Mor- 
gan in a chamber by king Arthur, and 
when she heard king Arthur speak of 
that shield, then she spake openly unto 
king Arthur, Sir king, wit ye well this 
shield was ordained for you, to warn 
you of your shame and dishonour, and 
that longeth to you and to your queen. 
And then anon the damsel piked her 
away privily, that no man wist where 
she was become. Then was king Ar- 
thur sad and wroth, and asked from 
whence came that damsel. There was 
not one that knew her, nor wist where 
she was become. Then queen Guenever 
called to her Sir Ector de Maris, and 
there she made her complaint to him, 
and said, I wot well this shield was 
made by Morgan le Fay, in despite of 
me and Sir Launcelot, wherefore I dread 
sore lest I should be destroyed. And 
ever the king beheld Sir Tristram that 
did so marvellous deeds of arms, that 
he wondered sore what knight he might 
be, and well he wist it was not Sir 
Launcelot. And it was told him that 
Sir Tristram was in Petit Britain with 
Isoud la Blanche Mains, for he deemed, 
and he had been in the realm of Logris, 
Sir Launcelot or some of his fellows that 
were in the quest of Sir Tristram, that 
they should have found him or tliat 
time. So king Arthur had marvel what 
knight he might be. And ever Sir 
Arthur's eye was on that shield. All 
that espied the queen, and that made 
her sore afeard. Then ever Sir Tris- 
tram smote down knights, wonderly to 
behold, what upon the right hand and 
upon the left hand, that unneth no 
knight might withstand him. And the 
king of Scots and the king of Ireland 
began to withdraw them. When Arthur 
espied that, he thought that that knight 



238 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



with the strange shield should not es- 
cape him. Then he called unto him Sir 
Uwaine la Blanche Mains, and bade him 
arm him and make him ready. So anon 
kine Arthur and Sir Uwaine dressed 



them before Sir Tristram, and required 
him to tell them where he had that 
shield. Sir, he said, I had it of queen 
Morgan le Fay, sister unto king 
Arthur. 



^00 \)txt ^nljctjb tjbi^ j^i^torg of tl)i0 iioolfe, for it H tj^e fir^tc l&oolt of 
sire ^ri!3tram tc Igonc^, ant) l!)c ^ccont) fioofe of ^ir tri^tram 
folohjctl). 



'^txt bcggnnet]^ tl;c gcront) Boolt of sire ^rtgtram. pJofoe $^u 
^ri^tram gmotc tiounc fesitg ^rtl)ur ant) gir Caitoagnc, fig cause 
j^e toolt) not tdk \)tm tojb^rfor tl)at sj^cltjc toas mate. 33ut to 
sag tj^r sotj^c sire ©ristram coulie not telle tj^c cause, for ]^e ftnetoe 
it not. 



®5e ®:0nt6 23oo]fe, 



CHAP. I. 

.^01^/ .SzV Tristram justed and smote down 
king Arthur, because he told him not the 
cause why he hare that shield. 

And if so be ye can describe what ye 
bear, ye are worthy to bear the arms. 
As for that, said Sir Tristram, I will 
answer you. This shield was given me, 
not desired, of queen Morgan le Fay. 
And as for me, 1 cannot describe these 
arms, for it is no point of my charge, 
and yet I trust to bear them with wor- 
ship. Truly, said king Arthur, ye 
ought to bear none arms but if ye wist 
what ye bear. But I pray you tell me 
your name. To what intent? said Sir 
Tristram. For I would wit, said king 
Arthur. Sir, ye shall not wit as at 
this time. Then shall ye and I do 
battle together, said king Arthur. WTiy, 
said Sir Tristram, will ye do battle with 
me but if I tell you my name ? and that 
little needeth you and ye were a man of 
worship, for ye have seen me this day 
have had great travail ; and therefore ye 



are a villainous knight to ask battle of 
me, considering my great travail, how- 
beit I will not fail you, and have ye no 
doubt that I fear not you ; though ye 
think ye have me at a great advantage, 
yet shall I right well endure you. And 
therewithal king Arthur dressed his 
shield and his spear, and Sir Tristram 
against him, and they came so eagerly 
together. And there king Arthur brake 
his spear all to pieces upon Sir Tris- 
tram's shield. But Sir Tristram hit 
king Arthur again, that horse and man 
fell to the earth- And there was king 
Arthur wounded on the left side a great 
wound and a perilous. Then when Sir 
Uwaine saw his lord Arthur lie on 
the ground sore wounded he was pass- 
ing heavy. And then he dressed his 
shield and spear, and cried aloud imto 
Sir Tristram, and said. Knight, defend 
thee. So they came together as thunder, 
and Sir Uwaine brake his spear all to 
pieces upon Sir Tristram's shield. And 
Sir Tristram smote him harder and sorer, 
with such a might that he bare him 
clean out of his saddle to the earth. 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM SAVED SIR PALAMIDES. 



239 



With that Sir Tristram turned about 
and said, Fair knights, I had no need 
to just with you, for I have had enough 
to do this day. Then arose Arthur 
and went to Sir Uwaine, and said 
to Sir Tristram, We have as we have 
deserved, for through our pride we de- 
manded battle of you, and yet we knew 
not your name. Nevertheless, said Sir 
Uwaine, by saint cross he is a strong 
knight at mine advice as any is now 
living. 

Then Sir Tristram departed, and in 
every place he asked and demanded 
after Sir Launcelot, but in no place he 
could not hear of him whether he were 
dead or on live, wherefore Sir Tristram 
made great dole and sorrow. So Sir 
Tristram rode by a forest, and then was 
he ware of a fair tower by a marsh on 
that one side, and on that other side a 
fair meadow. And there he saw ten 
knights fighting together. And ever 
the nearer he came he saw how there 
was but one knight did battle against 
nine knights, and that one knight did 
so marvellously that Sir Tristram had 
great wonder that ever one knight might 
do so great deeds of arms. And then 
within a little while he had slain half 
their -horses and unhorsed them, and 
their horses ran in the fields and forest. 
Then Sir Tristram had so great pity 
upon that one knight that endured so 
great pain, and ever he thought it should 
be Sir Palamides by his shield. And so 
he rode unto the knights and cried tmto 
them, and bad them cease of their battle, 
for they did themselves great shame, so 
many knights to fight with one. Then 
answered the master of those knights, 
his name was called Breuse Sance Pite, 
that was at that time the most mis- 
chievousest knight living, and said thus : 
Sir knight, what have ye ado with us to 
meddle; and therefore and ye be wise 
depart on your way as ye came, for this 
knight shall not escape us. That were 
pity, said Sir Tristram, that so good a 
knight as he is should be slain so cow- 
ardly. And therefore I warn you I will 
succour him with all my puissance. 



CHAP. II. 

How Sir Tristram saved Sir Palamides* 
life, and how they promised to fight 
together within a fortnight. 

So Sir Tristram alight off his horse 
because they were on foot, that they 
should not slay his horse, and then 
dressed his shield with his sword in his 
hand : and he smote on the right hand 
and on the left hand passing sore, that 
well nigh at every stroke he strake 
down a knight. And when they espied 
his strokes they fled all with Breuse 
Sance Pite unto the tower: and Sir 
Tristram followed fast after with his 
sword in his hand. But they escaped 
into the tower and shut Sir Tristram 
without the gate. And when Sir Tris- 
tram saw this he returned back unto Sir 
Palamides, and found him sitting under 
a tree sore wounded. Ah, fair knight, 
said Sir Tristram, well be ye found. 
Gramercy, said Sir Palamides, of your 
great goodness, for ye have rescued me 
of my life, and saved me from my death. 
What is your name ? said Sir Tristram. 
He said, my name is Sir Palamides. 
Oh, said Sir Tristram, thou hast a fair 
grace of me this day that I should rescue 
thee, and thou art the man in the world 
that I most hate. But now make thee 
ready, for I will do battle with thee. 
What is your name ? said Sir Palamides. 
My name is Sir Tristram, your mortal 
enemy. It may be so, said Sir Pala- 
mides, but ye have done overmuch for 
me this day that I should fight with 
you, for inasmuch as ye have saved my 
life, it will be no worship for you to 
have ado with me, for ye are fresh, and 
I am wounded sore. And therefore and 
ye will needs have ado with me, assign 
me a day, and then I shall meet with 
you without fail. Ye say well, said Sir 
Tristram. Now, I assign you to meet 
me in the meadow by the river of 
Camelot, where Merlin set the peron. 
So they were agreed. Then Sir Tris- 
tram asked Sir Palamides why the ten 
knights did battle with him. For this 
cause, said Sir Palamides, as I rode 
on mine adventures in a forest here 



240 



'MORTE D ARTHUR. 



beside, I espied where lay a dead knight, 
and a lady weeping beside him. And 
when I saw her making such dole, I 
asked her who slew her lord? Sir, she 
said, the falsest knight of the world now 
living : and he is the most villain that 
ever man heard speak of, and his name 
is Sir Breuse Sance Pite. Then for 
pity I made the damsel to leap on her 
palfrey, and I promised her to be her 
warrant, and to help her to inter her 
lord. And so, suddenly, as I came riding 
by this tower, there came out Sir Breuse 
Sance Pite, and suddenly he strake me 
from my horse. And then or I might 
recover my horse, this Sir Breuse slew 
the damsel. And so I took my horse 
again, and I was sore ashamed, and so 
began the meddle betwixt us. And 
this is the cause wherefore we did this 
battle. Well, said Sir Tristram, now I 
understand the manner of your battle. 
But in any wise have remembrance of 
your promise that ye have made with 
me to do battle with me this day fort- 
night. I shall not fail you, said Sir 
Palamides. Well, said Sir Tristram, as 
at this time I will not fail you till that 
ye be out of the danger of your enemies. 
So they mounted upon their horses, and 
rode together unto that forest, and there 
they found a fair well, with clear water 
burbling. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, 
to drink of that water have I courage. 
And then they alight off their horses. 
And then were they ware by them 
where stood a great horse tied to a tree, 
and ever he neighed. And then were 
they ware of a fair knight armed under 
a tree, lacking no piece of harness, save 
his helm lay under his head. Truly, 
said Sir Tristram, yonder lieth a well- 
faring knight, what is best to do ? 
Awake him, said Sir Palamides. So 
Sir Tristram wakened him with the butt 
of his spear. And so the knight arose 
up hastily, and put his helm upon his 
head, and gat a great spear in his hand, 
and without any more words he hurled 
unto Sir Tristram, and smote him clean 
from his saddle to the earth, and hurt 
him on the left side, that Sir Tristram 
lay in great peril. Then he galloped 



farther, and fet his course, and came 
hurling upon Sir Palamides, and there 
he strake him a part through the body, 
that he fell from his horse to the earth. 
And then this strange knight left them 
there, and took his way through the 
forest. With this Sir Palamides and 
Sir Tristram were on foot, and gat their 
horses again, and either asked counsel 
of other what was best to do. By my 
head, said Sir Tristram, I will follow 
this strong knight that thus hath shamed 
us. Well, said Sir Palamides, and I will 
repose me hereby with a friend of mine. 
Beware, said Sir Tristram unto Pala- 
mides, that ye fail not that day that ye 
have set with me to do battle, for, as I 
deem, ye will not hold your day, for 
I am much bigger than ye. As for 
that, said Sir Palamides, be it as it be 
may, for I fear you not : for and I be 
not sick nor prisoner I will not fail you. 
But I have cause for to have more doubt 
of you that ye will not meet with me, 
for ye ride after yonder strong knight, 
and if ye meet with him it is an hard 
adventure and ever ye escape his hands. 
Right so Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
departed, and either took their ways 
diverse. 

CHAP. III. 

How Sir Tristram sought a strong hiight 
that had smitten him down, and many 
other knights of the Round Table. 

So Sir Tristram rode long after this 
strong knight. And at the last he saw 
where lay a lady overthwart a dead 
knight. Fair lady, said Sir Tristram, 
who hath slain your lord ? Sir, said she, 
there came a knight riding as my lord 
and I rested us here, and asked him of 
whence he was, and my lord said of 
Arthur's court. Therefore, said the 
strong knight, I will just with thee, 
for I hate all these that be of Arthur's 
court. And my lord that lieth here 
dead mounted upon his horse, and the 
strong knight and my lord encountered 
together, and there he smote my lord 
through out with his spear. And thus 
he hath brought me in great woe and 
damage. That me repenteth, said Sir 



CHAP. III. OF THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD. 



241 



Tdslram, of your great anger ; and it 
please you tell me your husband's name? 
Sir, said she, his name was Galardoun, 
that ^\•ould have proved a good knight. 
So departed Sir Tristram from that 
dolorous lady, and had much evil lodg- 
ing. Then on the third day Sir Tris- 
tram met with Sir Gawaine and with 
Sir Ijleoberis in a forest at a lodge : 
and either were sore wounded. Then 
Sir Tristram asked Sir Gawaine and Sir 
Bleoberis if they met with such a 
knight, with such a cognisance, with 
a covered shield. Fair sir, said these 
knights, such a knight met with us to 
our great damage. And first he smote 
down my fellow Sir Bleoberis, and sore 
wounded him because he bad me I 
should not have ado with him, for why, 
he was over strong for me. That strong 
knight took his words at scorn, and 
said he said it for mockery. And then 
they rode together, and so he hurt my 
fellow. And when he had done so, I 
might not for shame but I must just 
with him. And at the first course, he 
smote me down and my horse to the 
earth. And there he had almost slain 
mc, and ftom us he took his horse and 
departed, and in an evil time we met 
with him. Fair knights, said Sir Tris- 
tram, so he met with me and with an- 
other knight that hight Palamides, and 
he smote us both down with one spear, 
and hurt us right sore. By my faith, 
said Sir Gawaine, by my counsel ye 
shall let him pass and seek him no 
farther, for at the next feast of the 
Round Table upon pain of my head 
ye shall find him there. By my faith, 
said Sir Tristram, I shall never rest till 
that I find hixn. And then Sir Gawaine 
asked him his name. Then he said. My 
name is Sir Tristram. And so either 
told other their names. And then de- 
parted Sir Tristram, and rode his way. 
And by fortune in a meadow Sir Tris- 
tram met with Sir Kay the seneschal 
and Sir Dinadan. What tidings with you, 
said Sir Tristram, — with you knights ? 
Not good, said these knights. Why so? 
said Sir Tristram, I pray you tell me, 
for I ride to seek a knight. What cog- 



nisance beareth he? said Sir Kay. He 
beareth, said Sir Tristram, a covered j 
shield close with a cloth. By my head, 
said Sir Kay, that is the same knight 
that met with us, for this night we were 
lodged within a widow's house, and 
there was that knight lodged. And 
when he wist we were of Arthur's 
court, he spake great villainy by the 
king, and specially by the queen Gue- 
never. And then on the morrow we 
waged battle with him for that cause. 
And at the first recounter, said Sir Kay, 
he smote me down from my horse, and 
hurt me passing sore. And when my 
fellow Sir Dinadan saw me smitten 
down and hurt, he would not revenge 
me, but iied from me. And thus is he 
departed. And then Sir Tristram re- 
quired them to tell him their names, 
and so either told other their names. 
And so Sir Tristram departed from Sir 
Kay and from Sir Dinadan, and so he 
passed through a great forest into a 
plain, till he was ware of a priory, and 
there he reposed him with a good man 
six days. 

CHAP. IV, 

Hoiu Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sa- 
gramor la Desirous, and Sir Dodinas 
le Savage. 

And then be sent his man that hight 
Gouvernail, and commanded him to go 
to a city there by to fetch him new har- 
ness ; for it was long time afore that 
that Sir Tristram had been refreshed; 
his harness was bruised and broken. 
And when Gouvernail his servant was 
come with his apparel, he took his leave 
at the widow, and mounted upon his 
horse, and rode his way early on the 
morn. And, by sudden adventure Sir 
Tristram met with Sir Sagramor le 
Desirous, and with Sir Dodinas le 
Savage. And these two knights met 
with Sir Tristram and questioned with 
him, and asked him if he would just 
with them. Fair knights, said Sir Tris- 
tram, with a good will I would just with 
you, but I have promised at a day set 
near hand to do battle with a strong 
knight. And therefore I am loth to 



16 



242 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



have ado with you, for and it misfor- 
tuned me here to be hurt, I should 
not be able to do my battle which 
I promised. As for that, said Sir Sa- 
gramor, maugre your head ye shall 
just with us or ye pass from us. Well, 
said Sir Tristram, if ye enforce me 
thereto, I must do what I may. And 
then they dressed their shields, and came 
running together with great ire. But 
through Sir Tristram's great force, he 
strake Sir Sagramor from his horse. 
Then he hurled his horse farther, and 
said to Sir Dodinas, Knight, make thee 
ready. And so through fine force Sir 
Tristram strake Dodinas from his horse. 
And when he saw them lie on the earth 
he took his bridle, and rode forth on 
his way, and his man Gouvernail with 
him. Anon as Sir Tristram was past, 
Sir Sagramor and Sir Dodinas gat 
again their horses, and mounted up 
lightly, and followed after Sir Tristram. 
And when Sir Tristram saw them come 
so fast after him, he returned with his 
horse to them, and asked them what 
they would. It is not long ago since I 
smote you down to the earth at your 
own request and desire : I would have 
ridden by you but ye would not suffer 
me, and now me seemeth ye would do 
more battle with rne. That is truth, 
said Sir Sagramor and Sir Dodinas, for 
we will be revenged of the despite that 
ye have done to us. Fair knights, said 
Sir Tristram, that shall little need you, 
for all that I did to you ye caused it, 
wherefore I require you of your knight- 
hood leave me as at this time, for I am 
sure and I do battle with you I shall 
not escape without great hurts, and as I 
suppose ye shall not escape all lotless. 
And this is the cause why I am so loth 
to have ado with you. For I must fight 
within these three days with a good 
knight and as valiant as any is now 
living, and if I be hurt I shall not be 
able to do battle with him. What 
knight is that, said Sir Sagramor, 
that ye shall fight withal? Sir, said 
he, it is a good knight called Sir Pala^ 
mides. By my head, said Sir Sagramor 
and Sir Dodinas, ye have cause to dread 



him, for ye shall find him a passing 
good knight and a valiant. And because 
ye shall have ado with him we will for- 
bear you as at this time, and else ye 
should not escape us lightly. But fair 
knight, said Sir Sagramor, tell us your 
name. Sir, said he, my name is Sir Tris- 
tram de Liones. Ah, said Sagramor 
and Sir Dodinas, well be ye found, for 
much worship have we heard of you. 
And then either took leave of other, and 
departed on their way. 

CHAP. V. 

How Sir Tristram met at the peron with 
Sir Launcelot, and how they fought 
together unknown. 

Then departed Sir Tristram and rode 
straight unto Camelot, to the peron 
that Merlin had made tofore, where Sir 
Lanceor, that was the king's son of 
Ireland, was slain by the hands of Balin. 
And in that same place was the fair 
lady Columbe slain, that was love unto 
Sir Lanceor, for after he was dead she 
took his sword and thrust it through 
her body. And by the craft of Merlin 
he made to inter this knight Sir Lan- 
ceor and his lady Columbe under one 
stone. And at that time Merlin pro- 
phesied that in that same place should 
fight two the best knights that ever 
were in Arthur's days, and the best 
lovers. So when Sir Tristram came to 
the tomb where Lanceor and his lady 
were buried, he looked about him after 
Sir Palamides. Then was he ware of a 
seemly knight came riding against him 
all in white, with a covered shield. 
When he came nigh Sir Tristram, 
he said on high. Ye be welcome. Sir 
knight, and well and truly have ye 
holden your promise. And then they 
dressed their shields and spears, and 
came together with all their mights of 
their horses. And they met so fiercely 
that both their horses and knights 
fell to the earth. And as fast as they 
might they avoided their horses, and 
put their shields before them, and they 
strake together with bright swords, as 
men that were of might, and either 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM CAME TO THE COURT. 



243 



wounded other wonderly sore, that the 
blood ran out upon the grass. And 
thus they two fought the space of four 
hours, that never one would speak to 
other one word, and of their harness 
they had hewn off many pieces. Oh, 
said Gouvernail, I have marvel greatly 
of the strokes my master hath given 
to your master. By my head, said 
Sir Launcelot's servant, your master 
hath not given so many but )'Our mas- 
ter hath received as many or more. Oh, 
said Gouvernail, it is too much for Sir 
Palamides to suffer, or Sir Launcelot, 
and yet pity it were that either of these 
good knights should destroy other's 
blood. So they stood and wept both, 
and made great dole when they saw the 
bright sword§ over covered with blood 
of their bodies. Then at the last spake 
Sir Launcelot and said ; Knight, thou 
lightest wonderly well as ever I saw 
knight, therefore and it please you tell me 
your name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, that 
is me loth to tell any man my name. 
Truly, said Sir Launcelot, and I were 
required, I was never loth to tell my 
name. It is well said, quoth Sir Tris- 
tram, then I require you to tell me your 
name. Fair knight, he said, my name 
is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said 
Sir Tristram, what have I done, for ye 
are the man in the world that I love 
best. Fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, 
tell me your name. Truly, said he, my 
name is Sir Tristram de Liones. Oh, 
said Sir Launcelot, what adventure is 
befallen me ! And therewith Sir Laun- 
celot kneeled down and yielded him up 
his sword. And therewithal Sir Tris- 
tram kneeled adown, and yielded him 
up his sword. And so either gave other 
the degree. And then they both forlh^ 
withal went to the stone, and set them 
down upon it, and took off their helms 
to cool them, and either kissed other 
an hundred times. And then anon after 
they took their helms and rode to 
Camelot. And there they met with 
Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that 
had made promise to Arthur never to 
come again to the court till they had 
brought Sir Tristram with them. 



CHAP. VL 

How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram 
to the court, and of the great joy that 
the king and other made for the coming 
of Sir Tristr-api. 

RETxmN again, said Sir Launcelot, for 
your quest is done, for I have met with 
Sir Tiistram ; lo here is his own per- 
son. Then was Sir Qawaine glad, and 
said to Sir Tristram, Ye are welcome, 
for now have ye ^ased me greatly of 
my labour. For what cause, said Sir 
Gawaine, came ye into this court ? Fair 
sir, said Sir Tristram, I came into this 
country because of Sir Palamides, for 
he and I had assigned at this day 
I to have done battle together at the 
peron, and I marvel I hear not of him. 
And thus by adventure my lord Sir 
Launcelot and I met together. With 
this came king Arthur. And when he 
wist that there was Sir Tristram, then 
he ran unto him and took him by the 
hand and said, Sir Tristrjim, ye be as 
welcome as any knight th?it ever came 
to this court. And when the king had 
heard how Sir Launcelot and he had 
foughten, and either had wounded other 
wonderly sore, then the king made great 
dole. Then Sir Tristram told the king 
how he cainie thither for to have had 
ado with Sir Palamides. And then he 
told the king how he had rescued 
him from the nine knights and Breuse 
Sfince Pite, and how he found a knight 
lying bj a well, and that knight smote 
down Sir Palamides and me, but his 
shield was covered with a cloth. So 
Sir Palamides left me, and 1 followed 
after that knight. And in many places 
I found where he had slain knights, and 
forjusted many. By my head, said Sir 
Gawaine, that sapie knight smote me 
down and Sir Bleoberis, and hurt us 
sore both, he with the covered shield. 
Ah, said Sir Kay, that knight smote 
me adown and hurt me passing sore, 
and fain would I have known him, 
but I might not. Mercy, said Arthur, 
what knight was that with the covered 
shield ? I know not, said Sir Tristram ; 
and so said they all. Now, said king 

16 — 2 



244 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Arthur, then wot I, for it is Sir Laun- 
celot. Then they all looked upon Sir 
Launcelot and said. Ye have beguiled 
us with your co\-ered shield. It is not 
the first time, said Arthur, he hath done 
so. My lord, said Sir Launcelot, truly 
wit ye well I was the same knight that 
bare the covered shield. And because 
I would not be known that I was of 
your court I said no worship of your 
house. That is truth, said Sir Gawaine, 
Sir Kay, and Sir Bleoberis. Then king 
Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, 
and went to the Table Round. Then 
came queen Guenever and many ladies 
with her, and all the ladies said at one 
voice. Welcome, Sir Tristram. Wel- 
come, said the damsels : Welcome, said 
the knights : Welcome, said Arthur, for 
one of the best knights and the gentlest 
of the world, and the man of most wor- 
ship. For of all manner of hunting thou 
bearest the prize, and of all measures 
of blowing thou art the beginning, 
and of all the terms of hunting and 
hawking ye are the beginner : of all in- 
struments of music ye are the best ; 
therefore, gentle knight, said Arthur, 
ye are welcome to this court. And 
also I pray you, said Arthur, grant me 
a boon. It shall be at your command- 
ment, said Tristram, Well, said Arthur, 
I wall desire of you that ye will abide 
in my court. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
thereto is me loth, for I have ado in 
many countries. Not so, said Arthur, 
ye have promised it me, ye may not say 
nay. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I will as ye 
will. Then went Arthur unto the sieges 
about the Round Table, and looked in 
every siege the which were void that 
lacked knights. And then the king 
saw in the siege of ISIarhaus letters that 
said. This is the siege of the noble 
knight Sir Tristram. And then Arthur 
made Sir Tristram knight of the Table 
Round with great nobley and great 
feast as might be thought. For Sir 
Marhaus was slain afore by the hands 
of Sir Tristram in an island, and that 
was well known at that time in the 
court of Arthur ; for this Marhaus was 
a worthy knight. And for evil deeds 



that he did imto the country of Corn- 
wall Sir Tristram and he fought. And 
they fought so long tracing and travers- 
ing till they fell bleeding to the earth, 
for they were so sore wounded that 
they might not stand for bleeding. And 
Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and 
Sir Marhaus died through the stroke on 
the head. So leave we of Sir Tristram, 
and speak we of king Mark. 

CHAP. vn. 

How for the despite of Sir Tristram 
king Mark came with two knights into 
E?igia?id, and hotv he slew one of the 
knights. 

Then king Mark had great despite of 
the renown of Sir Tristram, and then he 
chased him out of Cornwall : yet was 
he nephew unto king Mark, but he had 
great suspicion unto Sir Tristram, be- 
cause of his queen, La Beale Isoud : for 
him seemed that there was too much 
love between them both. So when Sir 
Tristram departed out of Cornwall into 
England, king Mark heard of the great 
prowess that Sir Tristram did there, 
the which grieved him sore. So he 
sent on his party men to espy what 
deeds he did. And the queen sent 
privily on her part spies to know what 
deeds he had done, for great love was 
between them twain. So when the mes- 
sagers were come home, they told the 
truth as they had heard, that he passed 
all other knights, but if it were Sir 
Launcelot. Then king Mark was right 
heavy of these tidings, and as glad was 
La Beale Isoud. Then in great despite 
he took with him two good knights and 
two squires, and disguised himself, and 
took his way into England, to the in- 
tent for to slay Sir Tristram. And one 
of these two knights hight Sir Bersules, 
and the other knight was called Sir 
Amant. So as they rode, king Mark 
asked a knight that he met where he 
shoiild find king Arthur. lie said, at 
Camelot. Also he asked that knight 
after Sir Tristram, whether he heard of 
him in the court of king Arthur. Wit 
you well, said that knight, ye shall find 



OF KING MARK'S TREASONS. 



245 



Sir Tristram there for a man of as gieat 
worship as is now living, for through 
his prowess he won the tournament of 
the Castle of Maidens, that standeth by 
the Hard Rock. And silhen he hath 
won with his own hands thirty knights 
that were men of great honour. And 
the last battle that ever he did he 
fought with Sir Launcelot, and that 
was a marvellous battle. And not by 
force Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tris- 
tram to the court, and of him king 
Arthur made passing great joy, and so 
made him knight of the Table Round, 
and his seat was where the good 
knight's Sir Maihaus seat was. Then 
was king Mark passing sorry when he 
heard of the honour of Sir Tristram, 
and so they departed. Then said king 
Mark unto his two knights. Now will I 
tell you my counsel ; ye are the men 
that 1 trust most to on live ; and I will 
that ye wit my coming hither is to this 
intent, for to destroy Sir Tristram by 
wiles or by treason ; and it shall be 
hard if ever he escape our hands. Alas, 
said Eersules, what mean you ? for ye 
be set in such a way ye are disposed 
shamefully. For Sir Tristram js the 
knight of most worship that we know 
living, and therefore 1 warn you plainly 
1 will never consent to do him to the 
death ; and therefore I will yield my 
service, and forsake you. When king 
Mark heard him say so, suddenly he 
drew his sword, and said, A traitor ! 
and smote Sir Eersules on the head, 
that the sword went to his teeth. When 
Amant the knight saw him do that vil- 
lainous deed, and his squires, they said 
it was foul done and mischievously, 
wherefore we will do thee no more 
service ; and wit ye well we will ap- 
peach thee of treason afore Arthur. 
Then was king Mark wonderly wroth, 
and would have slain Amant ; but he 
and the two squires held them together, 
and set nought by his malice, \\hen 
king Mark saw he might not be re- 
venged on them, he said thus unto the 
knight Amant, Wit thou well, and thou 
appeach me of treason I shall thereof 
defend me afore king Arthur ; but I 



require thee that thou tell not my name 
that I am king Mark, whatsoever come 
of me. As for that, said Sir Amant, I 
will not discover yoiu" name. And so 
they parted ; and Amant and his fellows 
took the body of Eersules and buried it. 

CHAP. vni. 

Hctv luig Mark came to a fountain ivhere 
he found Sir Lamorak complaining for 
the leva cf king Lot's wife. 

Then king Mark rode till he came to 
a fountain, and there he rested him, and 
stood in a doubt whether he would ride 
to Arthur's court or none, or return 
again to his country. And as he thus 
rested him by that fountain, there came 
by him a knight well armed on horse- 
back, and he alight and tied his horse 
unto a tree, and set him down by the 
brink of the fountain, and there he 
made great languor and dole, and made 
the dolefullest complaint of love that 
ever man heard ; and all this while was 
he not ware of king Mark. And this 
was a great part of his complaint, he 
cried and wept, saying, O fair queen of 
Orkney, king Lot's wife, and mother of 
Sir Gawaine, and to Sir Gaheris, and 
mother to many other, for thy love I 
am in great pains. Then king Mark 
arose, and went near him, and said. 
Fair knight, ye have made a piteous 
complaint. Truly, said the knight, it is 
an hundred part more rueful than my 
heart can utter. I require you, said 
king Mark, tell me your name. Sir, 
said he, as for my name, I will not hide 
it from no knight that beareth a shield, 
and m.y name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. 
Eut when Sir Lamorak heard king 
Mark speak, then wist he well by his 
speech that he was a Cornish knight. 
Sir, said Sir Lamorak, I understand by 
your tongue ye be of Cornwall, wherein 
there dwelleth the shamefullest king that 
is now living, for he is a great enemy 
to all good knights; and that proveth 
well, for he hath chased out of that 
country Sir Tristram, that is the wor- 
shipfullest knight that now is living, 
and all knights speak of him worship. 



i^6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and for jealousy of his queen he hath 
chased him out of his country. It is 
pity, said Sir Lamorak, that ever any 
such false knight- coward as king Mark 
is should be matched with such a fair 
lady and good as l,a Beale Isoud is, for 
all the world of him speaketh shame, 
and of her worship that any queen 
may have. I have not ado in this 
matter, said king Mark, neither nought 
will I speak thereof. Well said, said 
Sir Lamorak. Sir, can ye tell me any 
tidings? I can tell you, said Sir La- 
morak, that there shall be a great 
tournament in haste beside Camelot, at 
the castle of Jagent. And the king with 
the hundred knights, and the king of 
Ireland, as I suppose, make that tour- 
nament. 

Then there came a knight, that was 
called Sir Dinadan, and saluted them 
both. And when he wist that king 
Mark was a knight of Cornwall, he 
reproved him for the love of king Mark 
a thousand fold more than did Sir La- 
morak. Then he proffered to just with 
king Mark. And he was full loth 
thereto ; but Sir Dinadan edged him 
so, that he justed with Sir Lamorak. 
And Sir I>amorak smote king Mark so 
sore that he bare him on his spear end 
over his horse tail. And then king 
Mark arose again, and followed after 
Sir Lamorak. But Sir Dinadan would ' 
not just with Sir Lamorak, but he told 
king Mark that Sir Lamorak was Sir ' 
Kay the seneschal. That is not so, j 
said king Mark, for he is much bigger 
than Sir Kay. And so he followed ; 
and overtook him, and bad him abide. 
What will ye do? said Sir Lamorak. 
Sir, he said, I will fight with a sword, 
for ye have shamed me with a spear, j 
And therewith they dashed together , 
with swords, and Sir Lamorak suffered ; 
him and forbare him. And king Mark ; 
was passing hasty, and smote thick | 
strokes. Sir Lamorak saw he would j 
not stint, and waxed somewhat wroth, | 
and doubled his strokes, for he was one 
of the noblest knights of the world, and j 
he beat him so on the helm that his 
head hung nigh on the saddle bow. 



When Sir Lamorak saw him fare so, 
he said. Sir knight, what cheer ? -me 
seemeth ye have nigh your fill of fight- 
ing ; it were pity to do you any more 
harm for ye are but a mean knight, 
therefore 1 give you leave to go where 
ye list. Gramercy, said king Mark, for 
ye and I be not matches. Then Sir 
Dinadan mocked king Mark and said, 
Ye are not able to match a good 
knight. As for that, said king Mark, 
at the first time that I justed with this 
knight ye refused him. Think ye that 
it is a shame to me ? said Sir Dinadan : 
nay, sir, it is ever worship to a knight 
to refuse that thing that he may not 
attain : therefore your worship had been 
much more, to have refused him as I 
did : for I warn you plainly he is able 
to beat five such as ye and I be ; for 
ye knights of Cornwall are no men of 
worship, as other knights are. And 
because ye are no men of worship, ye 
hate all men of worship ; for never was 
bred in your country such a knight as 
Sir Tristram. 

CHAP. IX. 

How king Mark, Sir Lamorak, and Sir 
Dinadan came to a castle, and how king 
Mark was known there. 

Then they rode forth all together, 
king Mark, Sir Lamorak, and Sir 
Dinadan, till that they came unto a 
bridge. And at the end thereof stood 
a fair tower. Then sav/ they a knight 
on horseback, well armed, brandishing 
a spear, crying and proffering himself to 
just. Now, said Sir Dinadan unto king 
Mark, yonder are two brethren, that 
one hight Allein, and that other hight 
Trian, that will just with any that 
passeth this passage. Now proffer your- 
self, said Dinadan to king Mark, for 
ever ye be laid to the earth. Then king 
Mark was ashamed, and therewith he 
feutred his spear, and hurtled to Sir 
Trian, and either brake their spears all 
to pieces, and passed through anon. 
Then Sir Trian sent king Mark another 
spear to just more ; but in no wise he 
would not just no more. Then they 



OF KING MARK AND SIR DINADAN. 



247 



came to the castle, all three knights, 
and they prayed the lord of the castle 
for harbour. Ye are right welcome, 
said the knights of the castle, for the 
love of the lord of this castle, the which 
hight Sir Tor le Fise Aries. And then 
they came into a fair court, well re- 
paired. And they had passing good 
cheer till the lieutenant of this castle 
that hight Berluse espied king Mark 
of Cornwall. Then said Berluse, Sir 
knight, I know you better than ye ween, 
for ye are king Mark, that slew my 
father afore mine own eyes, and me had 
ye slain had I no^escaped into a wood ; 
but wit ye well for the love of my lord 
of this castle, I will neither hurt you 
ne harm you, nor none of your fellow- 
ship. But wit ye well when ye are past 
this lodging I shall hurt you and I may, 
for ye slew my father traitourly. But 
first for the love of my lord Sir Tor, 
and for the love of Sir Lamorak the 
honourable knight that here is lodged, 
ye shall have none ill lodging. For it 
is pity that ever ye should be in the 
company of good knights, for ye are the 
most villainous knight or king that is 
now known on live; for ye are a de- 
stroyer of good knights, and all that ye 
do is but treason. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Berluse met with king Mark, and 
bow Sir Dinadan took his part. 

Then was king Mark sore ashamed, 
and said but little again. But when 
Sir Lamorak and Sir Dinadan wist 
that he was king Mark they were sorry 
of his fellowship. So after supper they 
went to lodging. So on the morn they 
arose early, and king Mark and Sir 
Dinadan rode together ; and three mile 
from their lodging there met with them 
three knights, and Sir Berluse was one, 
and the other his two cousins. Sir 
Berluse saw king Mark, and then he 
cried on high. Traitor, keep thee from 
me, for wit thou well that I am Berluse. 
Sir knight, said Sir Dinadan, I counsel 
you to leave off at this time, for he is 
riding to king Arthur; and because I 



have promised to conduct him to my 
lord king Arthur, needs must I take a 
part \vith him, howbeit I love not his 
condition, and fain I would be from 
him. Well Dinadan, said Sir Berluse, 
me repenteth that ye will take part 
with him, but now do your best. And 
then he hurtled to king Mark, and 
smote him sore upon the shield that he 
bare him clean out of his saddle to the 
earth. That saw Sir Dinadan, and he 
feutred his spear, and ran to one of 
Berluse's fellows, and smote him down 
off his saddle. Then Dinadan turned 
his horse, and smote the third knight in 
the same wise to the earth, for Sir 
Dinadan was a good knight on horse- 
back. And there began a great battle, 
for Berluse and his fellows held them 
together strongly on foot. And so 
through the great force of Sir Dinadan, 
king Mark had Sir Berluse to the earth, 
and his two fellows fled ; and had not 
been Sir Dinadan, king Mark would 
have slain him ; and so Sir Dinadan 
rescued him of his life, for king Mark 
was but a murderer. And then they 
took their horses and departed, and left 
Sir Berluse there sore wounded. Then 
king Mark and Sir Dinadan rode forth 
a four leagues English till that they 
came to a bridge, where hoved a knight 
on horseback, armed and ready to just. 
Lo, said Sir Dinadan unto king Mark, 
yonder hoveth a knight that will just, 
for there shall none pass this bridge 
but he must just with that knight. It 
is well, said king Mark, for this justs 
falleth with thee. Sir Dinadan knew 
the knight well that he was a noble 
knight, and fain he would have justed, 
but he had lever king Mark had justed 
with him, but by no mean king Mark 
would not just. Then Sir Dinadan 
might not refuse him in no manner. 
And then either dressed their spears 
and their shields and smote together, 
so that through fine force Sir Dinadan 
was smitten to the earth. And lightly 
he arose up, and gat his horse, and 
required that knight to do battle with 
swords. And he answered and said, 
Fair knight, as at this time I may not 



248 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



have ado with you no more; for the 
custom of this passage is such. Then 
was Sir Dinadan passing wroth, that he 
might not be revenged of that knight ; 
and so he departed. And in no wise 
would that knight tell his name; but 
ever Sir Dinadan thought that he should 
know him by his shield that it should 
be Sir Tor. 

CHAP. XL 

How king Mark 7?iocked Sir Dinadan, and 

hoiu they met with six knights of the 

Round Table. 

So as they rode by the way, king 
Mark then began to mock Sir Dinadan, 
and said, I wend you knights of the 
Table Round might in no wise find 
their matches. Ye say well, said Sir 
Dinadan, as for you, on my life I call 
you none of the best knights ; but sith 
ye have such a despite at me, I require 
you to just with me, to prove my 
strength. Not so, said king Mark, for 
I will not have ado with you in no man- 
ner. But I require you of one thing, 
that when ye come to Arthur's court, 
discover not my name, for I am there 
so hated. It is shame to you, said Sir 
Dinadan, that ye govern yourself so 
shamefully ; for I see by you ye are full 
of cowardice, and ye are a murderer, 
and that is the greatest shame that a 
knight may have, for never a knight be- 
ing a murderer hath worship, nor never 
shall have. For I saw but late through 
my force ye would have ilain Sir Ber- 
luse, a better knight than ye, or ever ye 
shall be, and more of prowess. 

Thus they rode forth talking, till 
they came to a fair place where stood 
a knight, and prayed them to take 
their lodging with him. So at the re- 
quest of that knight they reposed them 
there, and made them well at ease, and 
had great cheer. For all errant knights 
were welcome to him, and especially all 
those of Arthur's court. Then Sir Di- 
nadan demanded his host, what was the 
knight's name that kept the bridge. For 
what cause ask you it? said his host. 
For it is not long ago, said Sir Dinadan, 
since he gave me a fall. Ah, fair knight, 



said his host, thereof have ye no marvel, 
for he is a passing good knight, and his 
name is Sir Tor, the son of Aries le 
Vaysher. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, was 
that Sir Tor, for truly so ever me 
thought. Right as they stood thus talk- 
ing^ together, they saw come riding to 
them over a plain six knights of the 
court of king Arthur, well armed at all 
points. And there by their shields Sir 
Dinadan knew them well. The first was 
the good knight Sir Uwaine, the son of 
king Uriens ; the second was the noble 
knight Sir Brandiles ; the third was 
Ozana le Cure Hardy; the fourth was 
Uwaine les Adventurous ; the fifth was* 
Sir Agravaine ; the sixth Sir Mordred, 
brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Di- 
nadan had seen these six knights, he 
thought in himself he would bring king 
Mark by some wile to just with one of 
them. And anon they took their horses 
and ran after these knights well a three 
mile English. Then was king Mark 
ware where they sat all six about a well, 
and eat and drank such meats as they 
had, and their horses walking and some 
tied, and their shields hung in divers 
places about them. Lo, said Sir Dina- 
dan, yonder are knights errant that will 
just with us. God forbid, said king 
Mark, for they be six, and we but two. 
As for that, said Sir Dinadan, let us not 
spare, for I will assay the foremost. 
And therewith he made him ready, 
When king Mark saw him do so, as fast 
as Sir Dinadan rode toward them king 
Mark rode froward them with all his 
menial company. So when Sir Dinadan 
i saw king Mark was gone, he set the 
spear out of the rest, and threw his 
shield upon his back, and came riding to 
the fellowship of the Table Round. And 
anon Sir Uwaine knew Sir Dinadan, and 
welcomed him, and so did all his fel- 
lowship. 

CHAP. XH. 

How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to 
just 7vith king Mark, and how king 
Mark refused him. 

And then they asked him of his ad- 
ventures, and whether he had seen Sir 



HOW SIR DAGONET CHASED KING MARK. 



2-19 



Tristram, or Sir Launcelot. Truly, said 
Sir Dinadan, I saw none of them since 
I departed from Camelot. \Vhat knight 
is that, said Sir Brandiles, that so sud- 
denly departed from you, and rode over 
yonder field ? Sir, said he, it was a 
knight of Cornwall, and the most hor- 
rible coward that ever bestrode horse. 
What is his name ? said all the knights. 
I- wot not, said Sir Dinadan. So when 
they had reposed them, and spoken to- 
gether, they took their horses and rode 
to a castle wheie dwelled an old knight 
that made all knights errant good cheer. 
Then in the mean while that they were 
talking came into the castle Sir Griflet 
le Fise de Dieu, and there was he wel- 
come, and they asked him whether he 
had seen Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram? 
Sirs, he answered, I saw him not since 
he departed from Camelot. So as Sir 
Dinadan walked and beheld the castle, 
thereby in a chamber he espied king 
Mark, and then he rebuked him, and 
asked him why he departed so? Sir, said 
he, for I durst not abide because they 
were so many. But how escaped ye? 
said king Mark. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, 
they were better friends than I wend 
they had been. Who is captain of that 
fellowship ? said the king. Then for to 
fear him Sir Dinadan said it was Sir 
Launcelot. Oh, said the king, might I 
know Sir Launcelot by his shield ? Yea, 
said Dinadan, for he beareth a shield of 
silver and black bends. All this he 
said to fear the king, for Sir Launcelot 
was not in his fellowship. Now I pray 
you, said king Mark, that ye will ride 
in my fellowship? That is me loth to do, 
said Sir Dinadan, because ye forsook my 
fellowship. Right so Sir Dinadan went 
from king Mark and went to his own 
fellowship. And so they mounted upon 
their horses, and rode on their ways, and 
talked of the Cornish knight, for Dina- 
dan told them that he was in the castle 
where they were lodged. It is well said, 
said Sir Griflet, for here have I brought 
Sir Dagonet king Arthur's fool, that is 
the best fellow and the merriest in the 
world. Will ye do well ? said Sir Dina- 
dan; I have told the Cornish knight 



that here is Sir Launcelot, and the 
Cornish knight asked me what shield 
he bare. Truly I told him that he 
bare the same shield that Sir Mordred 
beareth. Will ye do well? said Sir 
Mordred ; I am hurt and may not well 
bear my shield nor harness, and there- 
fore put my shield and my harness upon 
Sir Dagonet, and let him set upon the 
Cornish knight. That shall be done, 
said Sir Dagonet, by my faith. Then 
anon was Dagonet armed in Mordred's 
harness and his shield, and he was set 
on a great horse and a spear in his 
hand. Now, said Dagonet, shew me 
the knight, and I trow 1 shall bear him 
down. So all these knights rode to a 
wood side, and abode till king Mark 
came by the way. Then they put forth 
Sir Dagonet, and he came on all the 
while his horse might run, straight upon 
king Mark. And when he came nigh 
king Mark, he cried as he were wood, 
and said. Keep thee, knight of Corn- 
wall, for I will slay thee. Anon as king 
Mark beheld his shield he said to him- 
self, Yonder is Sir Launcelot : alas, now 
am I destroyed. And therewithal he 
made his horse to run as fast as it 
might through thick and thin. And 
ever Sir Dagonet followed king Mark 
crying and rating him as a wood 
man through a great forest. When 
Sir Uwaine and Sir Brandiles saw 
Dagonet so chase king Mark, they 
laughed all as they were wood. And 
then they took their horses and rode 
after to see how Sir Dagonet sped. 
For they would not for no good 
that Sir Dagonet were hurt, for king 
Arthur loved him passing well, and 
made him knight with his own hands. 
And at eveiy tournament he began to 
make king Arthur to laugh. Then 
the knights rode here and there crying 
and chasing after king Mark, that all 
the forest rang of the noise. 

- CHAP. XIIL 

How Sir Pala77iides by adventure met hitig 
Mark flying, ajid how he overthrew 
Dagonet and other knights. 
So king Mark rode by fortune by a 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



well in the way where stood a knight 
errant on horseback armed at all points 
with a great spear in his hand. And 
when he saw king Mark coming flying 
he said, Ivnight, return again for shame, 
and stand with me, and I shall be thy 
warrant. Ah, fair knight, said king 
Mark, let me pass, for yonder cometh 
after me the. best knight of the world, 
with the black bended shield. Fie for 
shame, said the knight, he is none of 
the worthy knights. And if he were Sir 
Launcelot or Sir Tristram I should not 
doubt to meet the better of them both. 
When king Mark heard him say that 
word he turned his horse and abode by 
him. And then that strong knight bare 
a spear to Dagonet, and smote him so 
sore that he bare him over his- horse 
tail, and nigh he had broken his neck. 
And anon after him came Sir Brandiles, 
and when he saw Dagonet have that 
fall he was passing wroth, and cried. 
Keep thee knight ! And so they hurtled 
together wonderous sore. But the 
knight smote Sir Brandiles so sore 
that he went to the earth, horse and 
man. Sir Uwaine came after and saw 
all this. Truly, said he, yonder is a 
strong knight. And then they feutred 
their spears, and this knight came so 
eagerly that he smote down Sir Uwaine. 
Then came Ozana with the hardy heart, 
and he was smitten down. Now, said 
Sir Griflet, by my counsel let us send to 
yonder errant knight, and wit whether 
he be of Arthur's court, for, as I deem, it 
is Sir Lamorak de Galis, So they sent 
unto him, and prayed the strange knight 
to tell his name, and whether he were 
of Arthur's court or not. As for my 
name they shall not wit, but tell them I 
am a knight errant as they are : and let 
them wit that I am no knight of king 
Arthur's court. And so the squire rode 
again to them, and told them his 
answer of him. By my head, said Sir 
Agravaine, he is one of the strongest 
knights that ever I saw, for he hath 
overthrown three noble knights, and 
needs we must encounter with him for 
shame. So Sir Agravaine feutred his 
spear, and that other was ready, and 



smote him down over his horse to the 
earth. And in the same wise he smote 
Sir Uwaine les Avoutres and also Sir 
Griflet. Then had he served them all 
but Sir Dinadan, for he was behind, and 
Sir Mordred was unarmed, and Da- 
gonet had his harness. So when this 
was done this strong knight rode on 
his way a soft pace, and king Mark 
rode after him praising him much, but 
he would answer no words, but sighed 
wonderly sore, hanging down his head, 
taking no heed to his words. Thus they 
rode well a three mile English, and 
then this knight called to him a varlet 
and bad him, Ride until yonder fair 
manor, and recommend me to the lady 
of that castle and place, and pray her 
to send me refreshing of good meats 
and drinks. And if she ask thee what I 
am, tell her that I am the knight that 
followeth the glatisant beast, — that is in 
English to say the questing beast. For 
that beast wheresoever he went he 
quested with such a noise as it had 
been a thirty couple of hounds. 

Then the varlet went his way, and 
came to the manor and saluted the lady, 
and told her from whence he came. 
And when she understood that he came 
from the knight that followed the quest- 
ing beast, O sweet Lord Jesu, she said, 
when shall I see that noble knight, my 
dear son Palamides. Alas, will he not 
abide with me 1 And therewith she 
swooned and wept and made passing 
great dole. And then all so soon as she 
might she gave the varlet all that he 
asked. And the varlet returned unto Sir 
Palamides, for he was a varlet of king 
Mark. And as soon as he came he told 
the knight's name was Sir Palamides. 
I am well pleased, said king Mark, but 
hold thee still and say nothing. Then 
they alight, and set them down and re- 
posed them awhile. Anon withal king 
Mark fell on sleep. When Sir Pala- 
mides found him sound asleep he took 
his horse and rode his way, and said to 
them, I will not be in the company of 
a sleeping knight. And so he rode 
forth a great pace. 



HOW KING MARK SLEW SIR AMANT. 



251 



CHAP. XIV. 

How king Mark and Sir Dinadan heard 
Sir Palamides making great sorrow 
and ni07irning for La Beale Isoud. 

Now turn we unto Sir Dinadan that 
found these seven knights passing heavy. 
And when he wist how that they sped, 
as heavy was he. My lord Uwaine, 
said Dinadan, I dare lay my head it 
is Sir Lamorak de Galis ; I promise you 
all I shall find him and he may be found 
in this country. And so Sir Dinadan 
rode after this knight. And so did 
king Mark, that sought him through 
the forest. So as king Mark rode after 
Sir Palamides, he heard a noise of a 
man that made great dole. Then king 
Mark rode as nigh that noise as he 
might and as he durst. Then was he 
ware of a knight that was descended off 
his horse and had put off his helm, and 
there he made a piteous complaint and 
a dolorous of love. 

Now leave we that, and talk we of 
Sir Dinadan, that rode to seek Sir Pala- 
mides. And as he came within a forest,he 
met with a knight a chaser of a deer. Sir, 
said Sir Dinadan, met ye with a knight 
with a shield of silver and lions' heads ? 
Yea, fair knight, said the other, with 
such a knight met I with but a while 
ago, and straight yonder way be went, 
Gramercy, said Sir Dinadan, for might I 
find the track of his horse, I should not 
fail to find that knight. Right so as 
Sir Dinadan rode in the even late, he 
heard a doleful noise, as it were of a 
man. Then Sir Dinadan rode toward 
that noise. And when he came nigh 
that noise, he alight off his horse and 
went near him on foot. Then was he 
ware of a knight that stood under a 
tree, and his horse tied by him, and the 
helm off his head. And ever that knight 
made a doleful complaint as ever made 
knight. And always he made his com- 
plaint of La Beale Isoud the queen of 
Cornwall, and said, Ah fair lady, why 
love I thee, for thou art fairest of all 
other, and yet shewest thou never love 
to me nor bounty. Alas, yet must I 
love thee. And I may not blame thee 



fair lady, for mine eyes be cause of this 
sorrow. And yet to love thee I am 
but a fool, for the best knight of the 
world loveth thee, and ye him again, 
that is Sir Tristram de Liones. And 
the falsest king and knight is your hus- 
band, and the most coward and full of 
treason is your lord king Mark. Alas, 
that ever so fair a lady and peerless of 
all other should be matched with the 
most villainous kniglit of the world. 
All this language heard king Mark 
what Sir Palamides said by him. 
Wherefore he was adread when he 
saw Sir Dinadan, lest, and he espied 
him, that he would tell Sir Palamides 
that he was king ]\Iark; and therefore 
he withdrew him, and took his horse 
and rode to his men where he com- 
manded them to abide. And so he 
rode as fast as he might unto Camelot. 
And the same day he found there Amant 
the knight ready, that before king Ar- 
thur had appealed him of treason. And 
so lightly the king commanded them to 
do battle. And by misadventure king 
Mark smote Amant through the body. 
And yet was Amant in the righteous 
quarrel. And right so he took his horse 
and departed from the court for dread 
of Sir Dinadan, that he would tell Sir 
Tristram and Sir Palamides what he 
was. Then were there maidens that 
La Beale Isoud had sent to Sir Tristram 
that knew Sir Amant well. 

CHAP. XV. 

How king Mark had slain Sir Amant 
wrongfully tofore king Arthur, and 
Sir Lavncelot fetched king Mark to 
king Arthur. 

Then by the licence of king Arthur 
they went to him, and spake with him, 
for while the truncheon of the spear stuck 
in his body he spake : Ah, fair damsels, 
said Amant, recommend me unto La 
Beale Isoud, and tell her that I am slain 
for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. 
And there he told the damsels how 
cowardly king Mark had slain him and 
Sir Bersules his fellow : — And for that 
deed I appealed him of treason, and 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



here I am slain in a righteous qjiarrel ; 
and all was because Sir Bersules and 
I would not consent by treason to slay 
the noble knight Sir Tristram. Then 
the two maidens cried aloud that all the 
court might hear it, and said, O sweet 
Lord Jesu that knoweth all hid things, 
why suflerest thou so false a traitor to 
vanquish and slay a true knight that 
fought in a righteous quarrel ! Then 
anon it was sprung to the king and the 
queen, and to all lords and ladies, that 
it was king Mark that had slain Sir 
Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand, 
wherefore they did their battle. Then 
was king Arthur wroth out of measure, 
and so were all the other knights. 

But when Sir Tristram knew all the 
matter, he made great dole out of mea- 
sure, and wept for sorrow for loss of 
the noble knights Sir Bersules and Sir 
Amant. When Sir Launcelot espied 
Sir Tristram weep, he went hastily to 
king Arthur, and said. Sir, I pray you 
give me leave to return again to yonder 
false king and knight. I pray you, said 
king Arthur, fetch him again, but I 
would not that ye slew him for my wor- 
ship. Then Sir Launcelot armed him 
in all haste, and mounted upon a great 
horse, and took a spear in his hand and 
rode after king Mark. And from thence 
a three mile English Sir Launcelot over- 
took him, and bad him — Turn recreant 
king and knight : for whether thou wilt 
or not thou shalt go witli me to king 
Arthur's court. King Mark returned 
and looked upon Sir Launcelot and said, 
Fair sir, what is your name ? \^'it thou 
well, said he, my name is Sir Launcelot, 
and therefore defend thee. And when 
king Mark wist that it was Sir Launce- 
lot, and came so fast upon him with a 
spear, he cried then aloud, I yield me to 
thee Sir Launcelot, honourable knight. 
But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, 
but came fast upon him. King Mark 
saw that, and made no defence, bu4; 
tumbled down out of his saddle to the 
earth as a sack, and there he lay still, 
and cried Sir Launcelot mercy. — Arise, 
recreant knight and king. — I will not 
fight, said king Mark ; but whither that 



ye will I will go with you. Alas, alas, 
said Sir Launcelot, that I may not give 
thee one buffet for the love of Sir Tris- 
tram and of La Beale Isoud, and for 
the two knights that thou hast slain 
traitourly. And so he mounted upon his 
horse, and brought him to king Arthur. 
And there king Mark alight in that same 
place, and threw his helm from him 
upon the earth, and his sword, and fell 
flat to the earth of king Arthur's feet, 
and put him in his grace and mercy. 
Truly, said Arthur, ye are welcome in 
a manner, and in a manner ye are not 
welcome. In this manner ye are wel- 
come, that ye come hither maugre your 
head, as I suppose. That is truth, said 
king Mark, and else I had not been here : 
for my lord Sir Launcelot brought me 
hither through his fine force, and to him 
am I yielden to as recreant. Well, 
said Arthur, ye understand ye ought 
tb do me service, homage, and fealty, 
and never would ye do me none, but 
ever ye have been against me, and a 
destroyer of my knights : now how 
will ye acquit you ? Sir, said king 
Mark, right as your lordship will re- 
quire me, unto my power I will make 
a large amends. For he was a fair 
speaker and false there under. Then 
for great pleasure of Sir Tristram, to 
make them twain accorded, the king 
withheld king Mark as at that time, 
and made a broken love day between 
them. 

CHAP. XVL 

How Sir Difiadan told Sir Palamides of 
the battle between Sir Launcelot and Sir 
Tristram. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Pala- 
mides, how Sir Dinadan comforted him 
in all that he might from his great 
sorrow. What knight are ye ? said Sir 
Palamides. Sir, I am a knight errant 
as ye be, that hath sought you long by 
your shield. Here is my shield, said 
Sir Palamides, wit ye well, and ye will 
aught therewith, I will defend it. Nay, 
said Sir Dinadan, 1 will not have ado 
with you but in good manner. And if 
ye will ye shall find me soon ready. 



CHAP. XVII. 



OF MORGAN LE FAY'S CASTLE. 



253 



Sir, said Sir Dinadan, whitherward ride 
you this way? By my head, said Sir 
Palamides, I wot not, but as fortune 
leadeth me. Heard ye or saw ye ought 
of Sir Tristram ? — Truly of Sir Tristram 
I both heard and saw, and not for then 
we loved not inwardly w^ell together, 
yet at my mischief Sir Tristram rescued 
me from my death : and yet or he and 
I departed, by both our assents we as- 
signed a day that we should have met 
at the stony grave that Merlin set beside 
Camelot, and there to have done battle 
together, hovvbeit I was letted, said Sir 
Palamides, that I might not hold my 
day, the which grieveth me sore ; but I 
have a large excuse, for I was prisoner 
with a lord, and many other more, and 
that shall Sir Tristram right well under- 
stand, that I brake it not of fear of 
cowardice. And then Sir Palamides 
told Sir Dinadan the same day that 
they should have met. Truly, said Sir 
Dinadan, that same day met Sir Laun- 
celot and Sir Tristram at the same grave 
of stone. And there was the most j 
mightiest battle that ever was seen in j 
this land betwixt two knights, for they 
fought more than two hours, and there 
they both bled so much blood that all 
men marvelled that ever they might 
endure it. And so at the last by both 
their assents they were made friends 
and sworn brethren for ever, and no 
man can judge the better knight. And 
now is Sir Tristram made a knight of 
the Round Table, and he sitteth in the 
siege of the noble knight Sir Marhaus. 
By my head, said Sir Palamides, Sir 
Tristram is far bigger than Sir Laun- 
celot, and the hardier knight. Have ye 
assayed them both ? said Sir Dinadan, I 
have seen Sir Tristram fight, said Sir 
Palamides, but never Sir Launcelot to 
my witting. — But at the fountain where 
Sir Launcelot lay on sleep, there with 
one spear he smote down Sir Tristram 
and Sir Palamides, but at that time they 
knew not either other. Fair knight, 
said Sir Dinadan, as for Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Tristram let them be, for the 
worst of them will not be lightly 
matched of no knight that I know 



living. No, said Sir Palamides ; but 
and I had a quarrel to the better of 
them both, I would with as good a will 
fight wuth him as with you. Sir, said 
Sir Dinadan, I require you tell me your 
name, and in good faith I shall hold 
you company till that we come to 
Camelot, and there ye shall have great 
worship now at this great tournament ; 
for there shall be queen Guenever and 
La Beale Isoud of Cornwall. Wit you 
well. Sir knight, said Sir Palamides, for 
the love of La Beale Isoud I wull be 
there, and else not, but I will not have 
ado in king Arthur's court. Sir, said 
Dinadan, 1 shall ride with you and 
do you service, so ye will tell me your 
name. Sir knight, ye shall understand 
that my name is Sir Palamides, brother 
to Sir Safere, the good and noble knight, 
and Sir Segwarides and I we be Sara- 
cens born of father and mother. Sir, 
said Sir Dinadan, I thank you much for 
the telling of your name. For I am 
glad of that I know your name, and I 
promise you by the faith of my body 
ye shall not be hurt by me by my 
will, but rather be advanced. And 
thereto will I help you with all my 
power I promise you, doubt ye not. 
And certainly on my life ye shall win 
great worship in the court of king 
Arthur, and be right welcome. So then 
they dressed on their helms and put on 
their shields, and mounted upon their 
horses, and took the broad way toward 
Camelot. And then were they ware of 
a castle that was fair and rich, and also 
passing strong as any was within this 
realm. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How Sir Lamorak justed with divers 
knights of the castle wherein was Mor- 
gan le Fay. 

Sir Palamides, said Dinadan, here is 
a castle that I know well, and therein 
dwelleth queen Morgan le Fay, king Ar- 
thur's sister, and king Arthur gave her 
this castle, the which he hath repented 
him since a thousand times ; for since 
king Arthur and she have been at de- 
bate and strife ; but this castle could he 



254 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



never get nor win of her by no manner 
of engine; and ever as she might she 
made war on king Arthur. And all 
dangerous knights she withholdeth with 
her for to destroy all these knights that 
king Arthur loveth. And there shall no 
knight pass this way but he must just 
with one knight, or with two or with 
three. And if it hap that king Arthur's 
knight be beaten, he shall lose his horse 
and his harness and all that he hath, 
and hard if that he escape but that 
he shall be prisoner. Truly, said Pala- 
mides, this is a shameful custom, and a 
villainous usage for a queen to use, and, 
namely, to make such war upon her 
own lord that is called the flower of 
chivalry that is christian or heathen, 
and with all my heart I would destroy 
that shameful custom. And I will that 
all the world wit she shall have no 
service of me. And if she send out 
any knights, as I suppose she will, for 
to just, they shall have both their hands 
full. And I shall not fail you, said Sir 
Dinadan, unto my puissance, upon my 
life. So as they stood on horseback 
afore the castle there came a knight 
with a red shield, and two squires after 
him. And he came straight unto Sir 
Palamides the good knight, and said to 
him, Fair and gentle knight errant, I 
require thee for the love thou owest 
unto knighthood, that ye will not have 
ado here with these men of this castle. 
(For this was Sir Lamorak that thus 
said.) For I came hitherto to seek this 
deed, and it is my request. And there- 
fore I beseech you, knight, let me deal, 
and if I be beaten revenge me. Well, 
said Palamides, let see how ye will 
speed, and we shall behold you. Then 
anon came forth a knight of the castle, 
and proffered to just with the knight 
with the red shield. Anon they en- 
countered together, and he with the red 
shield smote him so hard that he bare 
him over to the earth. Therewith anon 
came another knight of the castle, and 
he was smitten so sore that he avoided 
his saddle. And forthwith came the 
third knight, and the knight with the 
red shield smote him to the earth. 



Then came Sir Palamides and besought 
him that he might help him to just. 
Fair knight, said he unto him, suffer me 
as at this time to have my will, for and 
they were twenty knights I shall not 
doubt them. And ever there were upon 
the walls of the castle many lords and 
ladies that cried and said. Well have ye 
justed, knight with the red shield. But 
as soon as the knight had smitten them 
down, his squire took their horses and 
avoided the saddles and bridles of their 
horses, and turned them into the forest, 
and made the knights to be kept to the 
end of the justs. Right so came out of 
the castle the fourth knight, and freshly 
proffered to just with the knight with 
the red shield. And he was ready, and 
he smote him so hard that horse and 
man fell to the earth, and the knight's 
back brake with the fall, and his neck 
also. Truly, said Sir Palamides, that 
yonder is a passing good knight, and 
the best juster that ever I saw. By my 
head, said Sir Dinadan, he is as good as 
ever was Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram, 
what knight somever he be. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

How Sir Palamides wonld have justed for 
Sir Lamorak with the knights of the 
castle. 

Then forthwithal came out a knight 
of the castle with a shield bended with 
black and with white. And ^non the 
knight with the red shield and he en- 
countered together so hard that he 
smote the knight of the castle through 
the bended shield and through the 
body, and brake the horse's back. 
Fair knight, said Sir Palamides, ye 
have overmuch in hand, therefore I 
pray you let me just, for ye had need 
to be reposed. Why sir, said the knight, 
seem ye that I am weak and feeble? and, 
sir, me thinketh ye proffer me wrong, 
and to me shame, when I do well 
enough. I tell you now as I told you 
erst, for and they were twenty knights 
I shall beat them. And if I be beaten 
or slain then may ye revenge me. And 
if ye think that I be weary, and ye have 



CHAP. XIX. SIR LAMORAK JUSTS WITH SIR PALAMIDES. 



255 



an appetite to just with me, I shall find 
you justing enough. Sir, said Pala- 
mides, I said it not because I would 
just with you, but me seemeth that ye 
have overmuch on hand. And therefore, 
and ye were gentle, said the knight with 
the red shield, ye should not prolTer me 
shame ; therefore I require you to just 
with me, and ye shall find that I am 
not weary. Sith ye require me, said Sir 
Palamides, take keep to yourself. Then 
they two knights came together as fast 
as their horses might nm, and the 
knight smote Sir Palamides so sore 
on the shield that the spear went into 
his side, a great wound and a peril- 
ous. And therewithal Sir Palamides 
voided his saddle. And that knight 
turned unto Sir Dinadan. And when 
he saw him coming, he cried aloud 
and said. Sir, I will not have ado with 
you. But for that he let it not, but 
came straight upon him. So Sir Dina- 
dan for shame put forth his spear and 
all to-shivered it upon the knight. But 
•he smote Sir Dinadan again so hard 
that he smote him clean from his saddle; 
but their horses he would not suffer his 
squires to meddle with, and because they 
were knights errant. Then he dressed 
him again to the castle, and justed with 
seven knights more, and there was none 
of them might withstand him, but he 
bare him to the earth. And of these 
twelve knights he slew in plain justs 
four. And the eight knights he made 
them to swear on the cross of a sword 
that they should never use the evil cus- 
toms of the castle. And when he had 
made them to swear that oath, he let 
them pass. And ever stood the lords 
and the ladies on the castle walls cry- 
ing and saying. Knight with the red 
shield, ye have marvellously well done, 
as ever we saw knight do. And there- 
with came a knight out of the castle un- 
armed, and said. Knight with the red 
shield, overmuch damage hast thou 
done to us this day, therefore return 
whither thou wilt, for here are no more 
that will have ado with thee, for we re- 
pent sore that ever thou earnest here, 
for by thee is fordone the old custom of 



this castle. And with that word he 
turned again into the castle, and shut 
the gates. Then the knight with the 
red shield turned and called his squires, 
and so past forth on his way, and rode a 
great pace. And when he was past. Sir 
Palamides went to Sir Dinadan and said, 
I had never such a shame of one knight 
that ever I met, and therefore I cast me 
to ride after him, and to be revenged 
with my sword. For a horseback I 
deem I shall get no worship of him. Sir 
Palamides, said Dinadan, ye shall not 
meddle with him by my counsel, for ye 
shall get no worship of him, and for 
this cause, — ye have seen him this day 
have had ovennuch to do, and over- 
much travailed. Truly, said Sir Pala- 
mides, I shall never be at ease till that 
I have had ado with him. Sir, said 
Dinadan, I shall give you my beholding. 
Well, said Sir Palamides, then shall ye 
see how we shall redress our mights. 
So they took their horses of their var- 
lets, and rode after the knight with the 
red shield ; and down in a valley be- 
side a fountain they were ware where he 
was alight to repose him, and had done 
off" his helm for to drink at the well. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Sir Lamorak justed with Sir Pala- 
mides and hurt him grievously. 

Then Palamides rode fast till he 
came nigh him. And then he said, 
Knight, remember ye of the shame ye 
did to me right now at the castle, there- 
fore diess thee, for I will have ado 
with thee. Fair knight, said he unto Sir 
Palamides, of me ye win no worship, 
for ye have seen this day that I have 
been travailed sore. As for that, said 
Palamides, I will not let ; for wit ye 
well I will be revenged. Well, said the 
knight, I may happen to endure you. 
And therewithal he mounted upon his 
horse, and took a great spear in his 
hand, ready for to just. Nay, said Pala- 
mides, I will not just, for I am sure at 
justing I get no prize. Fair knight, said 
that knight, it would beseem a knight 
to just and to fight on horseback. Ye 



256 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



shall see what I will do, said Palamides. 
And therewith he alight down upon 
foot, and dressed his shield afore him, 
and pulled out his sword. Then the 
knight with the red shield descended 
down from his horse, and dressed his 
shield afore him, and so he drew out his 
sword. And then they came together 
a soft pace, and wonderly they lashed 
together passing thick, the mounten- 
ance of an hour, or ever they breathed. 
I'hen they traced and traversed, and 
waxed wonderly wroth, and either 
behight other death. They hewed so 
fast with their swords, that they cut 
in down half their swords and mails, 
that the bare flesh in some places 
stood above their harness. And when 
Sir Palamides beheld his fellow's sword 
over covered with his blood, it grieved 
him sore. Somewhile they foined, 
somewhile they strake as wild men. 
llut at the last Sir Palamides waxed 
faint, because of his first wound that 
he had at the castle with a spear, for 
that wound grieved him wonderly sore. 
Fair knight, said Palamides, me seemeth 
we have assayed either other passing 
sore, and if it may please thee I require 
thee of thy knighthood tell me thy 
name. Sir, said the knight to Pala- 
mides, that is me loth to do, for thou 
hast done me wrong and no knighthood 
to proffer me battle, considering my 
great travail : but and thou wilt tell me 
thy name, I will tell tliee mine. Sir, 
said he, wit thou well my name is Pala- 
mides. Ah sir, ye shall understand my 
name is Sir Lamorak de Galis, son and 
heir unto the good knight and king, 
king Pellinore; and Sir Tor the good 
knight is my half brother. When Sir 
Palamides heard him say so, he kneeled 
down and asked mercy : For outrage- 
ously have I done to you this day, con- 
sidering the great deeds of arms I have 
seen you do, shamefully and unknightly 
I have required you to do battle. Ah, 
Sir Palamides, said Sir Lamorak, over 
much have ye done and said to me. 
And therewith he embraced him with 
both his hands, and said, Palamides the 
worthy knight, in all this land is no 



better than ye, nor of more prowess, and 
me repented sore that we should fight 
together. So it doth not me, said Sir 
Palamides, and yet am I sorer wounded 
than ye be ; but as for that, I shall soon 
thereof be whole. But certainly I would 
not for the fairest castle in this land but 
if thou and I had met, for I shall love 
you the days of my life afore all other 
knights, except my brother Sir Safere. 
I say the same, said Sir Lamorak, ex- 
cept my brother Sir Tor. Then came 
Sir Dinadan, and he made great joy of 
Sir Lamorak. Then their squires dressed 
both their shields and their harness, and 
stopped their wounds. And thereby at 
a priory they rested them all night. 

CHAP. XX. 

How it was told Sir Lawicelot that Dago- 
7iet chased hing Mark, and how a hiight 
overthrew him and six knights. 
Now turn we again, when Sir Uw^aine 
and Sir Brandiles with his fellows came 
to the court of king Arthur : they told 
the king, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Tristram 
how Sir Dagonet the fool chased king 
Mark through the forest, and how the 
strong knight smote them down all 
seven with one spear. There was great 
laughing and jesting at king Mark and 
at Sir Dagonet. But all these knights 
could not tell what knight it was that 
rescued king Mark. Then they asked 
king Mark if that he knew him. And he 
answered and said. He named himself 
the knight that followed the questing 
beast, and on that name he sent one 
of my varlets to a place where was 
his mother, and when she heard from 
whence he came, she made passing 
great dole, and discovered to my var- 
let his name, and said, O my dear son, 
Sir Palamides, why wilt thou not see 
me ? and therefore, Sir, said king Mark, 
it is to understand his name is Sir Pala- ' 
mides, a noble knight. Then were all | 
these seven knights glad that they knew 
his name. Now turn we again, for on 
the morn they took their horses, both 
Sir Lamorak, Palamides, and Dinadan, 
with their squires and varlets, till they 
saw a fair castle that stood on a moun- 



OF SIR DINADAN AND SIR LAMORAK. 



"257 



tain well closed. And thither they rode, 
and there they found a knight that hight 
Galahalt, that was lord of that castle. 
And there they had great cheer, and 
were well eased. Sir Dinadan, said Sir 
Lamorak, what will ye do ? O sir, said 
Dinadan, I will to-morrow to the court 
of king Arthur. By my head, said Sir 
Palamides, I will not ride these three 
days, for I am sore hurt and much have 
I bled, and therefore I will repose me 
here. Truly, said Sir Lamorak, and I 
will abide here with you. And when ye 
ride then will I ride, unless that ye tarry 
over long, then will I take my horse. 
Therefore I pray you, Sir Dinadan, 
abide and ride with us. Faithfully, said 
Dinadan, I will not abide, for I have 
such a talent to see Sir Tristram that I 
may not abide long from him. Ah, Di- 
nadan, said Sir Palamides, now do I un- 
derstand that ye love my mortal enemy, 
and therefore how should I trust you ? 
Well, said Dinadan, I love my lord Sir 
Tristram above all other, and him will 
I serve and do honour. So shall I, said 
Sir Lamorak, in all that may lie in my 
power. So on the morn Sir Dinadan 
rode unto the court of king Arthur. 
And by the way as he rode he saw 
where stood an errant knight, and made 
him ready for to just. Not so, said Sir 
Dinadan, for I have no will to just. 
With me shall ye just, said the knight, 
or that ye pass this way. Whether ask 
ye justs? by love or by hate? The knight 
answered, Wit ye well I ask it for love, 
and not for hate. It may well be so, 
said Sir Dinadan, but ye proffer me 
hard love, when ye will just with me 
with a sharp spear. But fair knight, 
said Sir Dinadan, sith ye will just with 
me, meet with me in the court of king 
Arthur, and there shall I just with you. 
Well, said the knight, sith ye will not just 
with me, I pray you tell me your name. 
Sir knight, said he, my name is Sir Di- 
nadan. Ah, said the knight, full well 
know I you for a good knight and a 
gentle, and wit you well I love you 
heartily. Then shall here be no justs, 
said Dinadan, betwixt us. So they de- 
parted. And the same day he came to 



Camelot where lay king Arthur. And 
there he saluted the king and the queen. 
Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram. And all 
the court was glad of Sir Dinadan, for 
he was gentle, wise, and courteous, and 
a good knight. And in especial the 
valiant knight Sir Tristram loved Sir 
Dinadan passing well above all other 
knights save Sir Launcelot. Then the 
king asked Sir Dinadan v/hat adven- 
tures he had seen. Sir, said Dinadan, 
I have seen many adventures, and 
of some king Mark knoweth, but not 
all. Then the king hearkened Sir Dina- 
dan how he told that Sir Palamides and 
he were afore the castle of Morgan le 
Fay, and how Sir Lamorak took the 
justs afore them, and how he forjusted 
twelve knights, and of theni four he 
slew, and how after he smote down Sir 
Palamides and me both. I may not 
believe that, said the king, for Sir Pala- 
mides is a passing good knight. That is 
very truth, said Sir Dinadan, but yet I saw 
him better proved hand for hand. And 
then he told the king all that battle, and 
how Sir Palamides was more weaker 
and more hurt, and more lost of his 
blood. And without doubt, said Sir 
Dinadan, had the battle longer lasted 
Palamides had been slain. Oh, said king 
Arthur, this is to me a great marvel. 
Sir, said Tristram, marvel ye no thing 
thereof, for at mine advice there is not a 
valianter knight in all the world living, 
for I know his might. And now I will 
say you, I was never so weary of knight 
but if it were Sir Launcelot. And there 
is no knight in the world except Sir 
Launcelot I would did so well as Sir 
Lamorak. Truly, said the king, I would 
that knight Sir Lamorak came to this 
court. Sir, said Dinadan, he will be here 
in short space and Sir Palamides both. 
But I fear that Palamides may not yet 
travel. 

CHAP. XXI. 

How king Arthur let do cry a justs, and 
how Sir Lamorak came in and over- 
threw Sir Gawaine and many other. 

Then within three days after the 
king let make a justing at a priory. 



17 



258 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



And there made them ready many 
knights of the Round Table. For Sir 
Gawaine and his brethren made them 
ready to just. But Tristram, Launcelot, 
nor Dinadan, would not just, but suf- 
fered Sir Gawaine, for the love of king 
Arthur, with his brethren, to win the 
gree if they might. Then on the morn 
they apparelled them to just. Sir Ga- 
waine and his four brethren, and did 
there great deeds of arms. And Sir 
Ector de Maris did marvellously well ; 
but Sir Gawaine passed all that fellow- 
ship, wherefore king Arthur and all 
the knights gave Sir Gawaine the 
honour at the beginning. Right so 
king Arthur was ware of a knight and 
two squires the which came out of a 
forest side, with a shield covered with 
leather, and then he came slily and 
hurtled here and there, and anon with 
one spear he had smitten down two 
knights of the Round Table. Then 
with his hurtling he lost the covering 
of his shield. Then was the king and 
all other ware that he bare a red shield. 
Oh, said king Arthur, see where rideth 
a stout knight, he with the red shield. 
And there was noise and crying. Be- 
ware the knight with the red shield. 
So within a little while he had over- 
thrown three brethren of Sir Ga- 
waine's. Truly, said king Arthur, me 
seemeth yonder is the best juster that 
ever I saw. With that he saw him en- 
counter with Sir Gawaine, and he smote 
him down with so great force, that he 
made his horse to avoid his saddle. 
How now, said the king. Sir Gawaine 
hath a fall, well were me and I knew 
what knight he were with the red shield. 
I know him well, said Dinadan, but 
as at this time ye shall not know his 
name. By my head, said Sir Tristram, 
he justed better than Sir Palamides, and 
if ye list to know his name, wit ye well 
his name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. As 
they stood thus talking, Sir Gawaine 
and he encountered together again, and 
there he smote Sir Gawaine from his 
horse, and bruised him sore. And in 
the sight of king Arthur he smote down 
twenty knights beside Sir Gawaine and 



his brethren. And so clearly was the 
prize given him as a knight peerless. 
Then slily and marvellously Sir Lamo- 
rak withdrew him from all the fellow- 
ship into the forest side. All this espied 
king Arthur, for his eye went never 
from him. 

Then the king, Sir Launcelot, Sir 
Tristram, and Sir Dinadan took their 
hacknies and rode straight after the 
good knight Sir Lamorak de Galis, and 
there found him. And thus said the 
king. Ah fair knight, well be ye found. 
"When he saw the king he put off his 
helm and saluted him. And when he 
saw Sir Tristram ^he alight down off his 
horse, and ran to him for to take him by 
the thighs ; but Sir Tristram would not 
suffer him, but he alight or that he came, 
and either took other in arms, and 
made great joy of other. The king was 
glad, and also was all the fellowship of 
the Round Table, except Sir Gawaine 
and his brethren. And when they wist 
that he was Sir Lamorak, they had 
great despite at him, and were wonderly 
wroth with him, that he had put them 
to dishonour that day. Then Gawaine 
called privily in counsel all his brethren, 
and to them said thus : Fair brethren, 
here may ye see whom that we hate 
king Arthur loveth, and whom that we 
love he hateth. And wit ye well, my 
fair brethren, that this Sir Lamorak will 
never love us, because we slew his 
father king Pellinore, for we deemed 
that he slew our father, king of Ork- 
ney. And for the despite of Pellinore 
Sir Lamorak did us a shame to our 
mother, therefore I will be revenged. 
Sir, said Sir Gawaine's brethren, let see 
how ye will or may be revenged, and 
ye shall find us ready. Well, said Sir 
Gawaine, hold you still, and we shall 
espy our time. 

CHAP. XXIL 

JIow htig Arthur made king Mark to be 
accorded with Sir Tristram, and how 
they departed toward Cornwall. 

Now pass we our matter, and leave 
we Sir Gawaine, and speak of king 



CHAP. xxm. 



HOW PERCIVALE WAS MADE KNIGHT. 



259 



Arthur that on a day said unto king 
Mark, Sir, I pray you to give me a gift 
that I shall ask you. Sir, said king 
Mark, I will give you whatsoever ye 
desire, and it be in my power. Sir, 
gramercy, said king Arthur : this I will 
ask you, that ye will be good lord unto 
Sir Tristram, for he is a man of great 
honour ; and that ye will take him with 
you into Cornwall, and let him see his 
friends, and there cherish him for my 
sake. Sir, said king Mark, I promise 
you by the faith of my body, and by the 
faith I owe to God and to you, I shall 
worship him for your sake in all that I 
can or may. Sir, said Arthur, and I 
will forgive you all the evil will that 
ever I owed you, and so be that ye 
swear that upon a book afore me. With 
a good will, said king Mark. And so 
he there sware upon a book afore him 
and all his knights, and therewith king 
Mark and Sir Tristram took either 
other by the hands hard knit together. 
But for all this king Mark thought 
falsely, as it proved after, for he put 
Sir Tristram in prison, and cowardly 
would have slain him. Then soon after 
king Mark took his leave to ride into 
Cornwall, and Sir Tristram made him 
ready to ride with him, wherefore the 
most part of the Round Table were 
wroth and heavy ; and in especial Sir 
Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak, and Sir 
Dinadan were wroth out of measure. 
For well they wist king Mark would 
slay or destroy Sir Tristram. Alas, said 
Dinadan, that my lord Sir Tristram shall 
depart. And Sir Tristram took such 
sorrow that he was amazed like a fool. 
Alas, said Sir Launcelot unto king Ar- 
thur, what have ye done, for ye shall 
lose the most man of worship that ever 
came into your court ? It was his own 
desire, said Arthur, and therefore I 
might not do withal ; for I have done 
all that I can, and made them at ac- 
cord. Accord, said Sir Launcelot, fie 
upon that accord, for ye shall hear that 
he shall slay Sir Tristram, or put him 
in a prison, for he is the most coward 
and the villainest king and knight 
that is now living. And therewith Sir 



Launcelot departed, and came to king 
Mark, and said to him thus : Sir king, 
wit thou well, the good knight Sir 
Tristram shall go with thee. Beware, 
I counsel thee, of treason ; for and thou 
mischieve that knight, by any manner 
of falsehood or treason, by the faith 
I owe to God and to the order of 
knighthood, I shall slay thee with mine 
own hands. Sir Launcelot, said the 
king, over much have ye said to me; 
and I have sworn and said over largely 
afore king Arthur, in hearing of all his 
knights, that I shall not slay nor betray 
him. It were to me overmuch shame 
to break my promise. Ye say well, said 
Sir Launcelot, but ye are called so false 
and full of treason that no man may 
beheve you. Forsooth, it is known well 
wherefore ye came into this country, 
and for none other cause but for to slay 
Sir Tristram. So with great dole king 
Mark and Sir Tristram rode together ; 
for it was by Sir Tristram's will and his 
means to go with king Mark, and all 
was for the intent to see La Beale Isoud ; 
for without the sight of her Sir Tristram 
might not endure. 

CHAP. XXIII. 

How Sir Percivale was made knight ofhing 
Arthur, and how a dumb maid spake, 
and brought him to the Round Table. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Lamorak, 
and speak we of his brethren. Sir Tor, 
which was king Pellinore's first son ; 
and Sir Aglavale was his next son ; Sir 
Lamorak, Dornar, Percivale, these were 
his sons too. So when king Mark and 
Sir Tristram were departed from the 
court, there was made great dole and 
sorrow for the departing of Sir Tris- 
tram. Then the king and his knights 
made no manner of joys eight days 
after. And at the eight days' end, there 
came to the court a knight, with a 
young squire with him ; and w hen this 
knight was unarmed, he went to the 
king, and required him to make the 
young squire a knight. Of what lineage 
is he come ? said king Arthur. Sir, 
said the knight, he is the son of king 

17—2 



26o 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Pellinore, that did you sometime good 
service, and he is brother unto Lamorak 
de Gahs the good knight. Well, said 
the king, for what cause desire ye that 
of me, that I should make him knight ? 
Wit you well, my lord the king, that 
this young squire is brother to me, as 
well as to Sir Lamorak, and my name 
is Aglavale. Sir Aglavale, said Ar- 
thur, for the love of Sir Lamorak, and 
for his father's love, he shall be made 
knight to-morrow. Now tell me, said 
Arthur, what is his name ? Sir, said the 
knight, his name is Percivale de Galis. 

So on the morn the king made him 
knight in Camelot. But the king and 
all the knights thought it would be 
long or that he proved a good knight. 
Then at the dinner when the king was 
set at the table, and every knight after 
he was of prowess, the king commanded 
him to be set among mean knights; 
and so was Sir Percivale set as the king 
commanded. Then was there a maiden 
in the queen's court that was come of 
high blood ; and she was dumb, and 
never spake word. Right so she came 
straight into the hall, and went unto 
Sir Percivale, and took him by the hand, 
and said aloud, that the king and all 
the knights might hear it, Arise, Sir 
Percivale the noble knight and God's 
kniglit, and go with me ; and so he did. 
And there she brought him to the right 
side of the siege-perilous, and said. 
Fair knight, take here thy siege, for 
that siege appertaineth to thee, and to 
none other. Right so she departed and 
asked a priest. And as she was con- 
fessed and houselled; then she died. 
Then the king and all the court made 
great joy of Sir Percivale. 

CHAP. XXIV. 

How Sir Lamorak visited king Lot's wife, 

and how Sir Gaheris slew her which 

was his own 7nother. 

Now turn we unto Sir Lamorak, that 

much was there praised. Then, by the 

mean of Sir Gawaine and his brethren, 

they sent for their mother there besides 

fast by a castle beside Camelot ; and all 

was to that intent to slay Sir Lamorak. 



The queen of Orkney was there but 
a while, but Sir Lamorak wist of her 
being, and was full fain ; and for to 
make an end of this matter he sent unto 
her, and there betwixt them was a time 
assigned that Sir Lamorak should come 
to her. Thereof was ware Sir Gaheris, 
and there he rode afore, the same time, 
and waited upon Sir Lamorak. And then 
he saw where he came all armed ; and 
where Sir Lamorak alight, he tied his 
horse to a privy postern, and so he 
went into a parlour and unarmed him ; 
and then he went unto the queen, and 
she made of him passing great joy, and 
he of her again, for either loved other 
passing sore. So when the knight, Sir 
Gaheris, saw his time, he came unto 
them, all armed, with his sword naked, 
and suddenly gat his mother by the 
hair, and strake off her head. When 
Sir Lamorak saw the blood dasli upon 
him all hot, the which he loved passing 
well, wit you well he was sore abashed 
and dismayed of that dolorous knight. 
And therewithal Sir Lamorak leaped up 
as a knight dismayed, saying thus : Ah 
Sir Gaheris, knight of the Table Round, 
foul and evil have ye done, and to you 
great shame. Alas, why have ye slain 
your mother that bare you ; with more 
right ye should have slain me. The 
oftence hast thou done, said Gaheris, 
notwithstanding a man is born to offer 
his service, but yet shouldest thou be- 
ware with whom thou meddlest, for 
thou hast put me and my brethren 
to a shame, and thy father slew our 
father ; and thou to love our mother is 
too much shame for us to suffer. And 
as for thy father king Pellinore, my 
brother Sir Gawaine and I slew him. 
Ye did him the more wrong, said Sir 
Lamorak, for my father slew not your 
father ; it was Balan le Savage ; and as 
yet my father's death is not revenged. 
Leave those words, said Gaheris, for 
and thou speak feloniously I will slay 
thee, but because thou art unarmed I 
am ashamed to slay thee. But wit thou 
well, in what place I may get thee I 
shall slay thee ; and now my mother is 
quit of thee ; and therefore withdraw 



OF SIR GAWAINE AND HIS BRETHREN. 



261 



thee and take thine armour, that thou 
were gone. Sir Lamorak saw there was 
none other boot, but fast anned. him, 
and took his horse, and rode his way, 
making great sorrow. But for the 
shame and dolour he would not ride to 
king Arthur's court, but rode another 
way. But when it was known that 
Gaheris had slain his mother, the king 
was passing wroth, and commanded 
him to go out of his court. Wit ye 
well, Sir Gawaine was wroth that Ga- 
heris had slain his mother, and let Sir 
Lamorak escape. And for this matter 
was the king passing wroth, and so was 
Sir Launcelot, and many other knights. 
Sir, said Sir Launcelot, here is a great 
mischief befallen by felony, and by fore- 
cast treason, that your sister is thus 
shamefully slain. And I dare say that 
it was wrought by treason, and I dare 
say ye shall lose that good knight Sir 
Lamorak, the which is great pity. I 
wote well and am sure, and Sir Tris- 
tram wist it he would never more come 
within your court, the which should 
grieve you much more, and all your 
knights. God defend, said the noble 
king Arthur, that I should lose Sir 
Lamorak or Sir Tristram, for then 
twain of my chief knights of the Table 
Round were gone. Sir, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I am sure that ye shall lose 
Sir Lamorak, for Sir Gawaine and his 
brethren will slay him by one mean or 
other, for they among them have con- 
cluded and sworn to slay him and ever 
they may see their time. That shall I 
let, said Arthur. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred 
met with a knight fleeing, and how 
they both were overthrown, and of Sir 
Dinadan. 

Now leave we of Sir Lamorak, and 
speak of Sir Gawaine's brethren, and 
specially of Sir Agravaine and Sir Mor- 
dred. As they rode on their adven- 
tures, they met with a knight flying 
sore wounded, and they asked him 
what tidings ? Fair knights, said he, 
here cometh a knight after me that will 



slay me. With that came Sir Dinadan, 
riding to them by adventure, but he 
would promise them no help. But Sir 
Agravaine and Sir Mordred promised 
him to rescue him. Therewithal came 
that knight straight unto them. And 
anon he proffered to just. That saw 
Sir Mordred, and rode to him ; but he 
strake Sir Mordred over his horse tail. 
That saw Sir Agravaine, and straight he 
rode toward that knight. And right so as 
he served Mordred, so he served Agra- 
vaine, and said to them, Sirs, wit ye well 
both, that I am Breuse Sance Pite, that 
hath done this to you. And yet he rode 
over Agravaine five or six times. When 
Dinadan sawthis, he must needs just with 
him for shame. And so Dinadan and 
he encountered together, that with pure 
strength Sir Dinadan smote him over 
his horse tail. Then he took his horse 
and fled. For he was on foot one of 
the valiantest knights in Arthur's days, 
and a great destroyer of all good knights. 
Then rode Sir Dinadan unto Sir Mor- 
dred and unto Sir Agravaine. Sir knight, 
said they all, well have ye done, and 
well have ye revenged us ; wherefore we 
pray you tell us your name. Fair sirs, 
ye ought to know my name, the which 
is called Sir Dinadan. When they un- 
derstood that it was Dinadan, they were 
more wroth than they were before, for 
they hated him out of measure, because 
of Sir Lamorak. For Dinadan had such 
a custom that he loved all good knights 
that were valiant, and he hated all those 
that were destroyers of good knights. 
And there were none that hated Dina- 
dan but those that ever were called 
murderers. Then spake the hurt knight 
that Breuse Sance Pite had chased, 
his name was Dalan, and said, If thou 
be Dinadan, thou slewest my father. 
It may well be so, said Dinadan, but 
then it was in my defence, and at his 
request. By my head, said Dalan, thou 
shalt die therefore. And therewith he 
dressed his spear and his shield. And 
to make the shorter tale, Sir Dinadan 
smote him down off his horse, that 
his neck was nigh broken. And in the 
same wise he smote Sir Mordred and 



262 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Sir Agravaine. And after, in the quest 
of the Sancgreal, cowardly and felo- 
niously they slew Dinadan, the which 
was great damage, for he was a great 
jester and a passing good knight. And so 
Sir Dinadan rode to a castle that hight 
Beale -Valet, and there he found Sir 
Palamides, that was not yet whole of 
the wound that Sir Lamorak gave him. 
And there Dinadan told Palamides all 
the tidings that he heard and saw of Sir 
Tristram, and how he was gone with 
king Mark, and with him he hath all 
his will and desire. Therewith Sir 
Palamides waxed wrolh, for he loved 
La Beale Isoud, and then he wist well 
that Sir Tristram should see her. 

CHAP. XXVI. 

How kitig Arthur, the queen, and Laun- 
celot received letters out of Cornwall, 
and of the answer again. 
Now leave we Sir Palamides and Sir 
Dinadan, in the Castle of Beale-Valet, 
and turn we again unto king Arthur. 
There came a knight out of Cornwall, 
his name was Fergus, a fellow of the 
Round Table, and there he told the 
king and Sir Launcelot good tidings of 
Sir Tristram, and there were brought 
goodly letters, and how he left him in 
the Castle of Tintagil. Then came the 
damsel that brought goodly letters unto 
king Arthur and unto Sir Launcelot; 
and there she had passing good cheer of 
the king and of the queen Guenever, and 
of Sir Launcelot. Then they wrote 
goodly letters again. But Sir Launcelot 
bad ever Sir Tristram beware of king 
Mark; for ever he called him in his 
letters king Fox, as who saith. He 
fareth all with wiles and treason : 
whereof Sir Tristram in his heart 
thanked Sir Launcelot. Then the dam- 
sel went unto La Beale Isoud, and bare 
her letter from the king and from Sir 
Launcelot, whereof she was in passing 
I great joy. Fair damsel, said La Beale 
Isoud, how fareth my lord Arthur, and 
the queen Guenever, and the noble 
knight, Sir Launcelot du Lake? She 
answered, and to make short tale, Much 
the better that ye and Sir Tristram be 



in joy. Truly, said La Beale Isoud, Sir 
Tristram suflereth great pain for me, 
and I for him. So the damsel departed, 
and brought letters to king Mark. And 
when he had read them, and understood 
them, he was wroth with Sir Tristram, 
for he deemed that he had sent the dam- 
sel unto king Arthur; for Arthur and 
Launcelot in a manner threatened king 
Mark. And as king Mark read these 
letters he deemed treason by Sir Tris- 
tram. Damsel, said king Mark, will ye 
ride again, and bear letters from me 
unto king Arthur ? Sir, she said, I will 
be at your commandment to ride when 
ye will. Ye say well, said the king; 
come again, said the king, to-morn, and 
fetch your letters. Then she departed, 
and told them how she should ride again 
with letters unto Arthur. Then, we pray 
you, said La Beale Isoud and Sir Tris- 
tram, that when ye have received your 
letters, that ye would come by us, that 
we may see the privity of your letters. 
All that I may do, madam, ye wot well 
I must do for Sir Tristram, for I have 
been long his own maiden. So on the 
morn the damsel went to king Mark, to 
have had his letters, and to depart. I 
am not advised, said king Mark, at this 
time to send my letters. Then privily 
and secretly he sent letters unto king 
Arthur, and unto queen Guenever, and 
unto Sir Launcelot. So the varlet de- 
parted, and found the king and queen in 
Wales, at Carlion. And as the king and 
the queen were at mass the varlet came 
with the letters; and when mass was 
done the king and the queen opened the 
letters privily by themselves. And the 
beginning of the king's letters spake 
wonderly short unto king Arthur, and 
bade him intermeddle with himself, 
and with his wife, and of his knights, for 
he was able enough to rule and keep his 
wife. 

CHAP. XXVII. 

How Sir Launcelot ivas wroth with the letter 
that he received from king Mark, and of 
Dinadan which made a lay of king Mark. 

When king Arthur understood the 
letter he mused of many things, and 



CHAP. XXVIII. 



OF KING MARK AND THE SESSOINS. 



^3 



thought on his sister's words, queen 
Morgan le Fay, that she had said be- 
twixt queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot. 
And in this thought he studied a great 
while. Then he bethought him again 
how his sister was his own enemy, and 
that she hated the queen and Sir Laun- 
celot, and so he put all that out of his 
thought. Then king Arthur read the 
letter again, and the latter clause said 
that king Mark took Sir Tristram for 
his mortal enemy, wherefore he put 
Arthur out of doubt he would be re- 
venged ^of Sir Tristram. Then was 
king Arthur wroth with king Mark. 
And when queen Guenever read her 
letter, and understood it, she was wroth 
out of measure, for the letter spake 
shame by her, and by Sir Launcelot. 
And so privily she sent the letter unto 
Sir Launcelot. And when he wist the 
intent of the letter, he was so wroth that 
he laid him down on his bed to sleep, 
whereof Sir Dinadan was ware, for it 
was his manner to be privy with all 
good knights. And as Sir Launcelot 
slept he stole the letter out of his hand, 
and read it word by word ; and then he 
made great sorrow for anger. And so 
Sir Launcelot awaked, and went to a 
window, and read the letter again, the 
which made him angry. Sir, said Dina- 
dan, wherefore be ye angry ? discover 
your heart to me. For sooth ye wot 
well I owe you good will, howbeit 
I am a poor knight, and a servitor unto 
you and to all good knights. For 
though I be not of worship myself, yet 
I love all those that be of worship. It 
is truth, said Sir Launcelot, ye are a 
trusty knight, and for great trust I will 
shew you my counsel. And when Dina- 
dan understood all, he said, This is my 
counsel : set you right nought by these 
threats, for king Mark is so villainous 
that by fair speech shall never man 
get of him. But ye shall see what 
I shall do. I will make a lay for him, 
and when it is made I shall make an 
harper to sing it afore him. So anon 
he went and made it, and taught it an 
harper that hight Eliot, and when he 
knew it, he taught it to many harpers. 



And so by the will of Sir Launcelot, 
and of Arthur, the harpers went straight 
into Wales and into Cornwall, to sing 
the lay that Sir Dinadan made by king 
Mark, which was the worst lay that 
ever harper sang with harp or with any 
other instruments. 

CHAP. XXVIIL 
How Sir Tristram was hurt, and of a 
war made to king Mark ; and of Sir 
Tristram, how be promised to rescue 
him. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram 
and to king Mark. As Sir Tristram was 
at justs and at tournament it fortuned he 
was sore hurt, both with a spear and 
with a sword. But yet he wan always 
the degree. And for to repose him he 
went to a good knight that dwelled in 
Cornwall in a castle, whose name was 
Sir Dinas the seneschal. Then by mis- 
fortune there came out of Sessoin a 
great number of men of arms, and an 
hideous host ; and they entered nigh the 
castle of Tintagil ; and their captain's 
name was Elias, a good man of arms. 
When king Mark understood his ene- 
mies were entered into his land, he made 
great dole and sorrow, for in no wise by 
his will king Mark would not send for 
Sir Tristram, for he hated him deadly. 
So when his council was come, they de- 
vised and cast many perils of the strength 
of their enemies ; and then they con- 
cluded all at once, and said thus unto 
king Mark, Sir, wit ye well ye must send 
for Sir Tristram the good knight, or else 
they will never be overcome. For by Sir 
Tristram they must be fought withal, or 
else we row against the stream. Well, 
said king Mark, I will do by your coun- 
sel. But yet lie was full loth thereto, 
but need constrained him to send for 
him. Then was he sent for in all haste 
that might be, that he should come to 
king Mark. When Sir Tristram under- 
stood that the king had sent for him, he 
mounted upon a soft ambler and rode to 
king Mark. And when he was come, 
the king said thus: Fair nephew Sir 
Tristram, this is all : here be come our 



264 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



enemies of Sessoin, that are here nigh 
hand ; and without tarrying they must 
be met with shortly, or else they will 
destroy this country. Sir, said Sir Tris- 
tram, wit ye well, all my power is at 
your commandment ; and wit ye well 
Sir, these eight days may I bear none 
arms, for my wounds be not yet whole. 
And by that day I shall do what I may. 
Ye say well, said king Mark : then go 
ye again, and repose you, and make 
you fresh ; and I shall go and meet the 
Sessoins with all my power. So the 
king departed unto Tintagil, and Sir 
Tristram went to repose him. And the 
king made a great host, and departed 
them in three. The first part led Sir 
Dinas the seneschal, and Sir Andred led 
the second part, and Sir Arguis led the 
third part, and he was of the blood of 
king Mark. And the Sessoins had 
three great battles, and many good men 
of arms. And so king Mark, by the 
advice of his knights, issued out of the 
castle of Tintagil upon his enemies. 
And Dinas the good knight rode out 
afore, and slew two knights with his 
own hands ; and then began the battles. 
And there was marvellous breaking of 
spears, and smiting of swords, and slew 
down many good knights, and ever was 
Sir Dinas the seneschal the best of king 
Mark's part. And thus the battle en- 
dured long with great mortality. But 
at the last king Mark and Sir Dinas, 
were they never so loth, they withdrew 
them to the castle of Tintagil, with great 
slaughter of people, and the Sessoins 
followed on fast, that ten of them were 
put within the gates, and four slain 
with the portcullis. Then king Mark 
sent for Sir Tristram by a varlet, that 
told him all the mortality. Then he 
sent the varlet again, and bade him, Tell 
king Mark that I will come as soon as 
I am whole, for erst I may do him no 
good. Then king Mark had his answer. 
Therewith came Elias, and bade the 
king yield up the castle, for ye may not 
hold it no while. Sir Elias, said the 
king, so will I yield up the castle, if 
I be not soon rescued. Anon king 
Mark sent again for rescue to Sir Tris- 



tram. By then Sir Tristram was whole, 
and he had gotten him ten good knights 
of Arthur's, and with them he rode unto 
Tintagil. And when he saw the great 
host of Sessoins he marvelled wonder 
greatly. And then Sir Tristram rode 
by the woods and by the ditches as 
secretly as he might, till he came nigh 
the gates. And there dressed a knight 
to him, when he saw that Sir Tristram 
would enter; and Sir Tristram smote 
him down dead. And so he sei-ved 
three more. And every each of these 
ten knights slew a man of arms. So 
Sir Tristram entered into the castle of 
Tintagil. And when king Mark wist 
that Sir Tristram was come, he was 
glad of his coming, and so was all the 
fellowship, and of him they made great 
joy. 

CHAP. XXIX. 

How Sir Tristram overcame the battle, and 
how Elias desired a man to fight body 
for body. 

So on the morn, Elias the captain 
came and bade king Mark come out 
and do battle. For now the good knight 
Sir Tristram is entered, it will be a 
shame to thee, said Elias, for to keep 
thy walls. When king Mark under- 
stood this, he was wroth, and said no 
word, but went unto Sir Tristram and 
asked him his counsel. Sir, said Sir 
Tristram, will ye that I give him his 
answer? I will well, said king Mark. 
Then Sir Tristram said thus to the mes- 
sager, Bear thy lord word from the 
king and me, that we will do battle 
v.'ith him to-morn in the plain field. 
What is your name? said the mes- 
sages Wit thou well my name is Sir 
Tristram de Liones. Therewithal the 
messager departed, and told his lord 
Elias all that he had heard. Sir, said 
Sir Tristram unto king Mark, I pray you 
give me leave to have the rule of the 
battle. I pray you take the rule, said 
king Mark. Then Sir Tristram let de- 
vise the battle in what manner that it 
should be. He let depart his host in 
six parts, and ordained Sir Dinas the 
seneschal to have the fore ward, and 



CHAP. XXX. HOW SIR ELI AS AND SIR TRISTRAM FOUGHT. 



265 



other knights to rule the remnant : and 
the same night Sir Tristram burnt all 
the Sessoins' ships unto the cold water. 
Anon as Elias wist that, he said, It was 
of Sir Tristram's doing, for he casteth 
that we shall never escape, mother's son 
of us ; therefore, fair fellows, fight freely 
to-morrow, and miscomfort you nought 
for any knight, though he be the best 
knight in the world : he may not have 
ado with us all. Then they ordained 
their battles in four parts, wonderly 
well apparelled and garnished with men 
of arms. Thus they within issued, and 
they without set freely upon them ; and 
there Sir Dinas did great deeds of arms. 
Not for then Sir Dinas and his fellow- 
ship were put to the worse. With that 
came Sir Tristram, and slew two knights 
with one spear. Then he slew on the 
right hand and on the left hand, that 
men marvelled that ever he might do 
such deeds of arms. And then he might 
see sometime the battle was driven a 
bow draught from the castle, and some- 
time it was at the gates of the castle. 
Then came Elias the captain rashing 
here and there, and hit king Mark so 
sore upon the helm that he made him 
to avoid the saddle ; and then Sir Dinas 
gat king Mark again to horseback. 
Therewithal came in Sir Tristram like 
a lion, and there he met with Elias, and 
he smote him so sore upon the helm 
that he avoided his saddle. And thus 
they fought till it was night, and for 
great slaughter, and for wounded people, 
evereach party drew to their rest. And 
when king Mark was come within the 
castle of Tintagil, he lacked of his 
knights an hundred; and they without 
lacked two hundred : and they searched 
the wounded men on both parties. And 
then they went to council ; and wit you 
well, either party were loth to fight 
more, so that either might escape with 
their worship. 

When Elias the captain understood 
the death of his men, he made great 
dole ; and when he wist that they were 
loth to go to battle again he was wroth 
out of measure. Then Elias sent word 
unto king Mark in great despite, whether 



he would find a knight that would fight 
for him, body for body, and if that he 
might slay king Mark's knight, he to 
have the truage of Cornwall yearly: 
and if that his knight slay mine, I fully 
release my claim for ever. Then the 
messager departed unto king Mark, 
and told him how that his lord Elias 
had sent him word to find a knight 
to do battle with him, body for body. 
When king Mark understood the mes- 
sager he bad him abide, and he should 
have his answer. Then called he all the 
baronage together, to wit what was the 
best counsel. They said, all at once, To 
fight in a field we have no lust, for had 
not been Sir Tristram's prowess, it had 
been likely that we never should have 
escaped. And therefore, sir, as we 
deem, it were well done to find a 
knight that would do battle with him, 
for he knightly proffereth. 

CHAP. XXX. 

How Sir Elias and Sir Tristram fought 
together for the truage, and how Sir 
Tristram slew Elias in the field. 

Not for then, when all this was said, 
they could find no knight that would do 
battle with him. Sir king, said they 
all, here is no knight that dare fight 
with Elias. Alas, said king Mark, then 
am I utterly shamed, and utterly de- 
stroyed, unless that my nephew Sir 
Tristram will take the battle upon him. 
Wit ye well, they said all, he had yes- 
terday over much on hand, and he is 
weary for travail, and sore wounded. 
Where is he ? said king Mark. Sir, 
said they, he is in his bed to repose 
him. Alas, said king Mark, but I have 
the succour of my nephew Sir Tristram 
I am utterly destroyed for ever. There- 
with one went to Sir Tristram where he 
lay, and told him what king Mark had 
said. And therewith Sir Tristram arose 
lightly, and put on him a long gown, 
and came afore the king and all the 
lords. And when he saw them all so 
dismayed, h,e asked the king and tlie 
lords what tidings were with them. 
Never worse, said the king. And 



s66 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



therewith he told him all how he had 
word of Elias to find a knight to fight 
for the truage of Cornwall, and none 
can I find ; and as for you, said the 
king and all the lords, we may ask no 
more of you for shame, for through 
your hardiness yesterday ye saved all 
our lives. Sir, said Sir Tristram, now I 
understand ye would have my succour, 
reason would that I should do all that 
lieth in my power to do, saving my 
worship and my life, howbeit I am 
sore bruised and hurt. And sithen Sir 
Elias proffereth so largely, I shall fight 
with him, or else I will be slain in the 
field, or else I will deliver Cornwall 
from the old truage. And therefore 
lightly call his messager, and he shall 
be answered : for as yet my wounds be 
green, and they will be sorer a seven 
night after than they be now, and there- 
fore he shall have his answer, that I 
will do battle to-morn with him. Then 
was the messager departed brought 
before king Mark. Hark my fellow, 
said Sir Tristram, go fast unto thy lord, 
and bid him make true assurance on his 
part, for the truage, as the king here 
shall make on his part; and then tell 
thy lord Sir Elias, that I, Sir Tristram, 
king Arthur's knight, and knight of the 
Table Round, will as to-morn meet 
with thy lord on horseback, to do battle 
as long as my horse may endure, and 
after that to do battle with him on foot 
to the utterance. The messager be- 
held Sir Tristram from the top to the 
toe ; and therewithal he departed, and 
came to his lord, and told him how he 
was answered of Sir Tristram. And 
therewithal was made hostage on both 
parties, and made it as sure as it might 
be, that whether party had the victory, 
so to end. And then were both hosts 
assembled, on both parts of the field 
without the castle of Tintagil, and there 
was none but Sir Tristram and Sir Elias 
armed. So when the appointment was 
made, they departed in sunder, and they 
came together with all the might that 
their horses might run. And either 
knight smote other so hard that both 
horses and knights went to the earth. 



Not for then they both lightly arose, 
and dressed their shields on their shoul- 
ders, with naked swords in their hands, 
and they dashed together that it seemed 
a flaming fire about them. Thus they 
traced and traversed, and hewed on 
helms and hauberks, and cut away 
many cantels of their shields, and either 
wounded other passing sore, so that the 
hot blood fell freshly upon the earth. 
And by then they had fought the moun- 
tenance of an hour Sir Tristram waxed 
faint and for-bled, and gave sore aback. 
That saw Sir Elias, and followed fiercely 
upon him, and wounded him in many 
places. And ever Sir Tristram traced 
and traversed, and went froward him 
here and there, and covered him with 
his shield as he might all weakly, that 
all men said he was overcome. For 
Sir Elias had given him twenty strokes 
against one. Then was there laughing 
of the Sessoins' party, and great dole 
on king Mark's party, Alas, said the 
king, we are ashamed and destroyed all 
for ever. For, as the book saith, Sir 
Tristram was never so matched, but if 
it were Sir Launcelot. Thus as they 
stood and beheld both parties, that one 
party laughing, and the other part 
weeping, Sir Tristram remembered him 
of his lady, La Beale Isoud, that looked 
upon him, and how he was hkely never 
to come in her presence. Then he 
pulled up his shield, that erst hung full 
low ; and then he dressed up his shield 
unto Elias, and gave him many sad 
strokes, twenty against one, and all to- 
brake his shield and his hauberk, that 
the hot blood ran down to the earth. 
Then began king Mark to laugh and all 
Cornish men, and that other party to 
weep. And ever Sir Tristram said to 
Sir Elias, Yield thee ! Then when Sir 
Tristram saw him so staggering on the 
ground, he said. Sir Elias, I am right 
sorry for thee, for thou art a passing 
good knight as ever I met withal, except 
Sir Launcelot. Therewithal Sir Elias 
fell to the earth, and there died. What 
shall I do? said Sir Tiistram unto king 
Mark, for this battle is at an end. 
Then they of Elias's party departed; 



CHAP. XXXII. 



HOW KING MARK SLEW BOUDWIN. 



267 



and king Mark took of them many 
prisoners, to redress the harms and the 
scathes that he had of them, and the 
remnant he sent into their country to 
ransom out their fellows. Then was Sir 
Tristram searched and well healed. Yet 
for all this king Mark would fain have 
slain Sir Tristram. But for all that 
ever Sir Tristram saw or heard by king 
Mark, yet would he never beware of his 
treason, but ever he would be there as 
La Beale Isoud was. 

CHAP. XXXI. 

Hoio at a great feast that king Mark 
made, an harper came and sang the 
lay that Dinadan had made. 

Now will we pass of this matter, and 
speak we of the harper that Sir Laun- 
celot and Sir Dinadan had sent into 
Cornwall. And at the great feast that 
king Mark made for joy that the Ses- 
soins were put out of his country, then 
came Eliot the harper, with the lay 
that Dinadan had made, and secretly 
brought it unto Sir Tristram, and told 
him the lay that Dinadan had made by 
king Mark. And when Sir Tristram 
heard it, he said : That Dinadan can 
make wonderly well and ill, there as it 
shall be. Sir, said Eliot, dare I sing 
this song afore king Mark ? Yea, on my 
peril, said Sir Tristram, for I shall be 
thy warrant. Then at the meat came 
in Eliot the harper, and because he was 
a curious harper men heard him sing 
the same lay that Dinadan had made, 
the which spake the most villainy by 
king Mark of his treason that ever man 
heard. When the harper had sung his 
song to the end, king Mark was won- 
derly wroth, and said. Thou harper, 
how durst thou be so bold on thy head 
to sing this song before me ? Sir, said 
Eliot, wit you well I am a minstrel, and 
I must do as I am commanded of these 
lords that I bear the arms of. And, sir, 
wit you well that Sir Dinadan, a knight 
of the Table Round, made this song, and 
made me to sing it afore you. Thou 
sayest well, said king Mark, and be- 
cause thou art a minstrel thou shalt go 



quit, but I charge thee hie thee fast out 
of my sight. So the harper departed, 
and went to Sir Tristram, and told him 
how he had sped. Then Sir Tristram 
let make letters, as goodly as he could, 
to Launcelot, and to Sir Dinadan. And 
so he let conduct the harper out of the 
country. But to say that king Mark 
was wonderly wroth, he was; for he 
deemed that the lay that was sung 
afore him was made by Sir Tristram's 
counsel, wherefore he thought to slay 
him and all his well-willers in that 
country. 

CHAP. xxxn. 

How king Mark slew by treason his brother 
Boudwin, for good service that he had 
done to him. 

Now turn we to another matter, that 
fell between king Mark and his brother 
that was called the good prince Sir 
Boudwin, that all the people of the 
countiy loved passing well. So it be- 
fell upon a time, that the miscreants 
Saracens landed in the country of Corn- 
wall, soon after these Sessoins were 
gone. And then the good prince Sir 
Boudwin, at the landing, he raised the 
country privily and hastily. And or it 
were day he let put wild-fire in three of 
his own ships, and suddenly he pulled 
up the sail, and with the wind he made 
those ships to be driven among the 
navy of the Saracens ; and to make 
short tale, those three ships set on fire 
all the ships, that none were saved. 
And at the point of the day the good 
prince Boudwin, with all his fellowship, 
set on the miscreants, with shouts and 
cries, and slew to the number of forty 
thousand, and left none alive. When 
king Mark wist this, he was wonderly 
wroth that his brother should win 
such worship. And because this prince 
was better beloved than he in all that 
country, and that also Sir Boudwin 
loved well Sir Tristram, therefore he 
thought to slay him. And thus hastily 
as a man out of his wit, he sent for 
prince Boudwin, and Anglides his wife, 
and bad them bring their young son 
with them, that he might see him. All 



268 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



this he did to the intent to slay the 
child as well as his father, for he was 
the falsest traitor that ever was born, 
Alas, for his goodness and for his good 
deeds this gentle prince Boudwin was 
slain. So when he came with his wife 
Anglides, the king made them fair sem- 
blant till they had dined. And when 
they had dined, king Mark sent for his 
brother, and said thus : Brother, how 
sped you when the miscreants arrived 
by you ? Me seemeth it had been your 
part to have sent me word, that I might 
have been at that journey, for it had 
been reason that I had had the honour, 
and not you. Sir, said the prince Boud- 
win, it was so that and I had tarried till 
that I had sent for you, those miscreants 
had destroyed my countiy. Thou liest, 
false traitor, said king Mark, for thou 
art ever about for to win worship from 
me, and put me to dishonour, and thou 
cherishest that 1 hate. And therewith 
he struck him to the heart with a dag- 
ger, that he never after spake word. 
Then the lady Anglides made great 
dole and swooned, for she saw her lord 
slain afore her face. Then was there 
no more to do, but prince Boudwin 
was despoiled and brought to burial. 
But Anglides privily got her husband's 
doublet and his shirt, and that she kept 
secretly. Then was there much sorrow 
and crying, and great dole made Sir 
Tristram, Sir Dinas, Sir Fergus, and so 
did all the knights that were there, for 
that prince was passingly well beloved. 
So La Beale Isoud sent unto Anglides, 
the prince Boudwin's wife, and bad her 
avoid lightly, or else her young son 
Alisander le Orphelin should be slain, 
I When she heard this, she took her 
I horse and her child, and rode her way 
! with such poor men as durst ride with 
j her. 

j CHAP, XXXIII. 

How Anglides, Boudwin's wife, escaped 
with her young son, Alisander le Or- 
phelin, and came to the castle of 
Arundel. 
Notwithstanding, when king Mark 

had done this deed, yet he thought to 



do more vengeance ; and with his sword 
in his hand he sought from chamber 
to chamber, to find Anglides and her 
young son. And when she was missed, 
he called a good knight that hight Sir 
Sadok, and charged him, by pain of 
death, to fetch Anglides again, and her 
young son. So Sir Sadok departed, 
and rode after Anglides. And within 
ten mile he overtook her, and bade her 
turn again, and ride with him to king 
Mark. Alas, fair knight, she said, what 
shall ye win by my son's death, or by 
mine ? I have had over much harm, 
and too great a loss. Madam, said 
Sadok, of your loss is dole and pity ; 
but, madam, said Sadok, would ye de- 
part out of this country with your son, 
and keep him till he be of age, that he 
may revenge his father's death, then 
would I suffer you to depart from me, 
so ye promise me for to revenge the 
death of prince Boudwin. Ah, gentle 
knight, Jesu thank thee, and if ever 
my son Alisander le Orphelin live to 
be a knight, he shall have his father's 
doublet and his shirt with the bloody 
marks ; and I shall give him such a 
charge that he shall remember it while 
he liveth. And therewithal Sadok 
departed from her, and either betook 
other to God. And when Sadok came 
to king Mark, he told him faithfully 
that he had drowned young Alisander, 
her son ; and thereof king Mark was 
full glad. 

Now t«m we unto Anglides, that 
rode both night and day by adventure 
out of Cornwall, and little and in few 
places she rested. But ever she drew 
southward to the sea side, till by for- 
tune she came to a castle that is called 
Magouns, and now it is called Arundel 
in Southsex. And the constable of the 
castle welcomed her, and said she was 
welcome to her own castle ; and there 
was Anglides worshipfully received, 
for the constable's wife was nigh her 
cousin. And the constable's name was 
Bellangere, and that same constable 
told Anglides that the same castle was 
hers by right inheritance. Thus An- 
glides endured years and winters, till 



CHAP. XXXV. 



OF ALISANDER LE ORPHELIN. 



Alisander was big and strong. There 
was none so wight in all that country, 
neither there was none that might do 
no manner of mastery afore him. 

CHAP. XXXIV. 

How Anglides gave the bloody doublet to 
Alisander her son the same day that he 
was made knight, and the charge withal. 

Then upon a day Bellangere the 
constable came to Anglides and said. 
Madam, it were time that my lord 
Alisander were made knight, for he is 
a passing strong young man. Sir, said 
she, I would he were made knight ; but 
then must I give him the most charge 
that ever sinful mother gave to her 
child. Do as ye list, said Bellangere, 
and I shall give him warning that he 
shall be made knight. Now it will be 
well done that he may be made knight 
at our Ladyday in Lent. Be it so, said 
Anglides, and I pray you make ready 
therefore. So came the constable to 
Alisander, and told him that he should 
at our Ladyday in Lent be made 
knight. I thank God, said Alisander, 
these are the best tidings that ever 
came to me. Then the constable or- 
dained twenty of the greatest gentle- 
men's sons, and the best born men 
of the country, that should be made 
knights that same day that Alisander 
was made knight. So on the same day 
that Alisander and his twenty fellows 
were made knights, at the offering of 
the mass there came Anglides unto her 
son, and said thus : O fair sweet son, I 
charge thee upon my blessing, and of 
the high order of chivalry that thou 
takest here this day, that thou under- 
stand what I shall say and charge thee 
withal. Therewithal she pulled out a 
bloody doublet and a bloody shirt, that 
were be-bled with old blood. When 
Alisander saw this, he start back and 
waxed pale, and said, Fair mother, what 
may this mean? I shall tell thee, fair son ; 
this was thine own father's doublet and 
shirt that he ware upon him that same 
day that he was slain. And there she 
told him why and wherefore : and how 



for his goodness king Mark slew him 
with his dagger afore mine own eyes. 
And therefore this shall be your charge, 
that I shall give thee. Now I require 
thee and charge thee upon my blessing, 
and upon the high order of knighthood, 
that thou be revenged upon king Mark 
for the death of thy father. And there- 
withal she swooned. Then Alisander 
leaped to his mother, and took her up 
in his arms, and said. Fair mother, ye 
have given me a great charge, and here 
I promise you I shall be avenged upon 
king Mark when that I may, and that 
I promise to God and to you. So this 
feast was ended. And the constable, 
by the advice of Anglides, let purvey 
that Sir Alisander v/as well horsed and 
harnessed. Then he justed with his 
twenty fellows that were made knights 
with him. But, for to make a short tale, 
he overthrew all those twenty, that none 
might withstand him a buffet. 

CHAP. XXXV. 

Hotv it was told to hing Mark of Sir 
Alisander, a?id how he wotdd have 
slain Sir Sadok for saving of his life. 
Then one of those knights departed 
unto king Mark, and told him all how 
Alisander was made knight, and all the 
charge that his mother gave him, as ye 
have heard afore time. Alas, false trea- 
son, said king Mark, I wend that young 
traitor had been dead. Alas, whom 
may I trust? And therewithal king 
Mark took a sword in his hand, and 
sought Sir Sadok from chamber to 
chamber to slay him. When Sir Sadok 
saw king Mark come with his sword in 
his hand, he said thus : Beware, king 
Mark, and come not nigh me, for wit 
thou well that I saved Alisander his 
life, of which I never repent me, for 
thou falsely and cowardly slewest his 
father Boudwin traitorly for his good 
deeds. Wherefore I pray almighty Jesu 
send Alisander might and strength to be 
revenged upon thee. And now beware 
king Mark of young Alisander, for he 
is made a knight. Alas, said king Mark, 
that ever I should hear a traitor say so 
afore me. And therewith four knights 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



of king Mark drew their swords to slay 
Sir Sadok. But anon Sir Sadok slew 
them all in king Mark's presence. And 
then Sir Sadok passed forth into his 
chamber, and took his horse and his 
harness, and rode on his way a good 
pace. For there was neither Sir Tristram, 
neither Sir Dinas, nor Sir Fergus, that 
would Sir Sadok any evil will. Then 
was king Mark wroth, and thought to 
destroy Sir Alisander, and Sir Sadok 
that had saved him, for king Mark dread 
and hated Sir Alisander most of any 
man living. When Sir Tristram under- 
stood that Alisander was made knight, 
anon forthwithal he sent him a letter, 
praying him and charging him that he 
would draw him to the court of king 
Arthur, and that he put him in the 
rule and in the hands of Sir Launcelot. 
So this letter was sent to Alisander 
from his cousin Sir Tristram. And at 
that time he thought to do after his 
commandment. Then king Mark called 
a knight that brought him the tidings 
from Alisander, and bade him abide 
still in that country. Sir, said that 
knight, so must I do, for in mine own 
country I dare not come. No force, 
said king Mark. I shall give thee here 
double as much lands as thou haddest of 
thine own. But within short space Sir 
Sadok met with that false knight and 
slew him. Then was king Mark wood 
wroth out of measure. Then he sent 
unto queen Morgan le Fay and to the 
queen of Northgalis, praying them in his 
letters that they two sorceresses would 
set all the country in fire, with ladies that 
were enchantresses, and by such that 
were dangerous knights, as Malgrin, and 
Breuse Sance Pite ; that by no means 
Alisander le Orphelin should escape, but 
either he should be taken or slain. This 
ordinance made king Mark for to destroy 
Alisander. 

CHAP. XXX VI. 

How Sir Alisander wan the prize at a 
tournament, and of Morgan le Fay. 
And how he fought with Sir Malgrin 
and slew him. 
Now turn we again unto Sir Alisander, 



that at his departing from his mother 
took with him his father's bloody shirt. 
So that he bare with him always till his 
death day, in tokening to think on his 
father's death. So was Alisander pur- 
posed to ride to London by the counsel 
of Sir Tristram to Sir Launcelot. And 
by fortune he went by the sea -side, 
and rode wrong. And there he won 
at a tournament the gree, that king 
Carados made. And there he smote 
down king Carados, and twenty of his 
knights, and also Sir Safere a good 
knight, that was Sir Palamides' brother, 
the good knight. All this saw a dam- 
sel, and saw the best knight just that 
ever she saw. And ever as he smote 
down knights he made them to swear 
to wear no harness in a twelvemonth 
and a day. This is well said, said Mor- 
gan le Fay, this is the knight that I 
would fain see. And so she took her 
palfrey and rode a great while, and then 
she rested her in her pavilion. So there 
came four knights: two were armed, 
and two were unarmed, and they told 
Morgan le Fay their names. The first 
was Elias de Gomeret, the segond was 
Car de Gomeret ; those were armed : 
that other twain were of Camiliard, 
cousins unto queen Guenever, and 
that one hight Sir Guy, and that other 
hight Garaunt ; those were unarmed. 
There these four knights told Morgan 
le Fay how a young knight had smitten 
them down before a castle. For the 
maiden of that castle said that he was 
but late made knight and young. But 
as we suppose, but if it were Sir Tris- 
tram, or Sir Launcelot, or Sir Lamorak 
the good knight, there is none that 
might sit him a buffet with a spear. 
Well, said Morgan le Fay, I shall meet 
that knight or it be long time, and he 
dwell in that country. 

So turn we to the damsel of the 
castle, that when Alisander le Orphelin 
had forjusted the four knights, she 
called him to her, and said thus: Sir 
knight, wilt thou for my sake just and 
fight with a knight of this country, that 
is and hath been long time an evil 
neighbour to me, his name is Malgrin, 



CHAP. XXXVII. 



OF ALISANDER AND MORGAN LE FAY. 



271 



and he will not suffer me to be married 
in no manner wise for all that I can do, 
or any knight for my sake. Damsel, 
said Alisander, and he come while I 
am here I will fight with him, and my 
poor body for your sake I will jeopard. 
And therewithal she sent for him, for 
he was at her commandment. And 
when either had a sight of other they 
made them ready for to just, and they 
came together eagerly, and Malgrin 
bruised his spear upon Alisander, and 
Alisander smote him again so hard that 
he bare him quite from his saddle to the 
earth. But this Malgrin arose lightly 
and dressed his shield and drew his 
sword, and bad him alight, saying, 
Though thou have the better of me on 
horseback, shalt thou find that I shall 
endure like a knight on foot. It is well 
said, said Alisander. And so lightly he 
voided his horse, and betook him to his 
varlet. And then they rashed together 
like two boars, and laid on their helms 
and shields long time by the space of 
three hours, that never man could say 
which was the better knight. And in 
the m.eanwhile came Morgan le Fay to 
the damsel of the castle, and they beheld 
the battle. But this Malgrin was an 
old roted knight, and he was called one 
of the dangerous knights of the world 
to do battle on foot : but on horseback 
there were many better. And ever this 
Malgrin awaited to slay Alisander, and 
so wounded him wonderly sore, that it 
was marvel that ever he might stand, 
for he had bled so much blood : for 
Alisander fought wildly and not wittily. 
And that other was a felonious knight, 
and awaited him, and smote him sore. 
And sometime they rashed together with 
their shields like two boars or rams, and 
fell groveling both to the earth. Now 
knight, said Malgrin, hold thy hand 
awhile, and tell me what thou art. I 
will not, said Alisander, but if me list. 
But tell me thy name, and why thou 
keepest this country, or else thou shalt 
die of my hands. Wit thou well, said 
Malgrin, that for this maiden's love of 
this castle I have slain ten good knights 
by mishap ; and by outrage and pride of 



myself I have slain ten other knights. 
Truly, said Alisander, this is the foulest 
confession that ever I heard knight 
make, nor never heard I speak of other 
men of such a shameful confession ; 
wherefore it were great pity and great 
shame to me that I should let thee live 
any longer ; therefore keep thee as well 
as ever thou mayest, for as I am true 
knight, either thou shalt slay me or 
else I shall slay thee, I promise thee 
faithfully. Then they lashed together 
fiercely. And at the last Alisander 
smote Malgrin to the earth, and then 
he raced off his helm, and smote off his 
head lightly. And when he had done 
and ended this battle, anon he called to 
him his varlet, the which brought him 
his horse. And then he weening to be 
strong enough would have mounted. 
And so she laid Sir Alisander in a horse- 
litter, and led him into the castle, for 
he had no foot nor might to stand upon 
the earth. For he had sixteen great 
wounds, and in especial one of them 
was like to be his death. 

CHAP. XXXVII. 

How queen Morgan le Fay had Alisan- 
der in her castle, and hoiu she healed 
his jvounds. 

Then queen Morgan le Fay searched 
his wounds, and gave such an ointment 
unto him that he should have died. And 
on the morn when she came to him, he 
complained him sore ; and then she put 
other ointments upon him, and then he 
was out of his pain. Then came the 
damsel of the castle, and said unto Mor- 
gan le Fay, I pray you help me that 
this knight might wed me, for he hath 
won me with his hands. Ye shall see, 
said Morgan le Fay, what I shall say. 
Then Morgan le Fay went to Sir Ali- 
sander and bad in any wise that he 
should refuse this lady — if she desire to 
wed you, for she is not for you. So the 
damsel came and desired of him mar- 
riage. Damsel said Orphelin, I thank 
you, but as yet I cast me not to marry 
in this country. Sir, said she, sithen ye 
will not marry me, I pray you, insomuch 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



as ye have won me, that ye will give 
me to a knight of this country that 
hath been my friend and loved me many 
years. With all my heart, said Alisan- 
der, I will assent thereto. Then was 
the knight sent for; his name was Sir 
Gerine le Grose. And anon he made 
them handfast and wedded them. Then 
came queen Morgan le Fay to Ali- 
sander, and bad him arise, and put him 
in a horse-litter : and gave him such 
a drink that in three days and three 
nights he waked never but slept : and 
so she brought him to her own castle, 
that at that time was called La Beale 
Regard. Then Morgan le Fay came to 
Alisander, and asked him if he would 
fain be whole. Who would be sick, 
said Alisander, and he might be whole ? 
Well, said Morgan le Fay, then shall 
ye promise me by your knighthood that 
this day twelvemonth and a day ye 
shall not pass the compass of this castle, 
and without doubt ye shall lightly be 
whole. I assent, said Sir Alisander. 
And there he made her a promise. 
Then was he soon whole. And when 
Alisander was whole then he repented 
him of his oath, for he might not be re- 
venged upon king Mark. Right so there 
came a damsel that was cousin to the 
Earl of Pase, and she was cousin to 
Morgan le Fay. And by right that 
castle of La Beale Regard should have 
been hers by true inheritance. So this 
damsel entered into this castle where 
lay Alisander, and there she found him 
upon his bed, passing heavy and all 
sad. 

CHAP. XXXVIII. 

How Alisander was delivered from the 
queen Morgan le Fay by the means of 
a damsel. 

Sir knight, said the damsel, and ye 
would be merry, I could tell you good 
tidings. Well were me, said Alisander, 
and I might hear of good tidings, for 
now I stand as a prisoner by my 
promise. Sir, said she, wit you well 
that ye be a prisoner, and worse than 
ye ween. For my lady, my cousin queen 
Morgan le Fay, keepeth you here for 



none other intent but for to do her 
pleasure with you, when it liketh her. 
Defend me, said Alisander, from such 
pleasure, for I had lever die than I 
would do her such pleasure. Truly, 
said the damsel, and ye would love 
me and be ruled by me, I shall 
make your deliverance with your wor- 
ship. Tell me, said Alisander, by what 
mean, and ye shall have my love. 
Fair knight, said she, this castle of 
right ought to be mine, and I have an 
uncle the which is a mighty earl, he is 
earl of Pase, and of all folks he hateth 
most Morgan le Fay, and I shall send 
unto him, and pray him for my sake 
to destroy this castle for the evil cus- 
toms that be used therein ; and then 
will he come and set wild fire on every 
part of the castle, and I shall get you 
out at a privy postern, and there shall 
ye have your horse and your harness. 
Ye say well, damsel, said Alisander. 
And then she said. Ye may keep the 
room of this castle this twelvemonth 
and a day, then break ye not your oath. 
Truly, fair damsel, said Alisander, ye 
say sooth. And then he kissed her. So 
anon she sent unto her uncle, and bad 
him come and destroy that castle ; for 
as the book saith, he would have de- 
stroyed that castle afore time, had 
not that damsel been. When the earl 
understood her letters he sent her 
word again, that on such a day he 
would come and destroy that castle. 
So when that day came, she shewed 
Alisander a postern where through he 
should flee into a garden, and there he 
should find his armour and his horse. 
When the day came that was set, thither 
came the earl of Pase with four hundred 
knights, and set on fire all the parts of 
the castle, that, or they ceased, they 
left not a stone standing. And all this 
while that the fire was in the castle, he 
abode in the garden. And when the fire 
was done, he let make a cry that he 
would keep that piece of earth, there as 
the castle of La Beale Regard was, a 
twelvemonth and a day, from all manner 
knights that would come. 

So it happed there was a duke that 



CHAP. XXXIX. 



OF ALICE LA BE ALE PILGRIM. 



273 



hight Ansirus, and he was of the kin of 
Sir Launcelot. And this knight was a 
great pilgrim, for every third year he 
would be at Jemsalem. And because 
he used all his life to go in pilgrimage, 
men called him duke Ansirus the pil- 
grim. And this duke had a daughter 
that hight Alice, that was a passing fair 
woman, and because of her father she 
was called Alice La Beale Pilgrim. 
And anon as she heard of this cry, 
she went unto Arthur's court, and said 
openly in hearing of many knights, 
That what knight may overcome that 
knight that keepeth that piece of earth 
shall have me and all my lands. When 
the knights of the Round Table heard 
her say thus, many were glad, for she 
was passing fair, and of great rents. 
Right so she let cry in castles and 
towns as fast on her side as Sir Alisan- 
der did on his side. Then she dressed 
her pavilion straight by the piece of 
earth that Alisander kept. So she was 
not so soon there but there came a 
knight of Arthur's court, that hight 
Sagramor le Desirous, and he prof- 
fered to just with Alisander, and they 
encountered, and Sagramor le Desirous 
bruised his spear upon Sir Alisander, 
but Sir Alisander smote him so hard 
that he avoided his saddle. And when 
La Beale Alice saw him just so well, she 
thought him a passing goodly knight 
on horseback. And then she lept out 
of her pavilion and took Sir Alisan- 
der by the bridle, and thus she said: 
Fair knight, I require thee of thy 
knighthood, shew me thy visage. I 
dare well, said Alisander, shew my 
visage. And then he put off his helm ; 
and when she saw his visage she said, 
Truly, thee I must love and never other. 
Then shew me your visage, said he. 

CHAP. XXXIX. 

Horv Alisander met with Alice la Beale 
Pilgrim, and how he Justed with two 
knights ; and after of him and of Sir 
Mordred. 

Then she unwimpled her visage. And 
when he saw her he said, Here have 



I found my love and my lady. Truly, 
fair lady, said he, I promise you to be 
your knight, and none other that bear- 
eth the life. Now, gentle knight, said 
she, tell me your name. My name is, 
said he, Alisander le Orphelin. Now, 
damsel, tell me your name, said he. 
My name is, said she, Alice la Beale 
Pilgrim. And when we be more at 
our heart's ease, both ye and I shall 
tell each other of what blood we be 
come. So there was great love betwixt 
them. And as they thus talked, there 
came a knight that hight Harsouse le 
Berbuse, and asked part of Sir Alisan- 
der's spears. Then Sir Alisander en- 
countered with him, and at the first Sir 
Alisander smote him over his horse 
croup. And then there came another 
knight that hight Sir Hewgon. And 
Sir Alisander smote him down as he 
did that other. Then Sir Hewgon prof- 
fered to do battle on foot. Sir Alisan- 
der overcame him with three strokes, 
and there would have slain him had he 
not yielded him. So then Alisander 
made both those knights to swear to 
wear none armour in a twelvemonth and 
a day. Then Sir Alisander alight down, 
and went to rest him and repose him. 
Then the damsel that halp Sir Alisan- 
der out of the castle, in her play told 
dame Alice altogether how he was 
prisoner of the castle of La Beale Re- 
gard: and there she told her how 
she gat him out of prison. Sir, said 
Alice la Beale Pilgrim, me seemeth ye 
are much beholden to this maiden. 
That is truth, said Sir Alisander. And 
there Alice told him of what blood she 
was come. Sir, wit ye well, she said, 
that I am of the blood of king Ban, 
that was father unto Sir Launcelot. 
Ye wis, fair lady, said Alisander, my 
mother told me that my father was 
brother unto a king, and I am nigh 
cousin to Sir Tristram. Then this while 
came there three knights, that one 
hight Vains, and that other hight Har- 
vis de les Marches, and the third hight 
Perin de la Montaine. And with one 
spear Sir Alisander smote them down 
all three, and gave them such falls that 



18 



274 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



they had no list to fight upon foot. So 
he made them to swear to wear no 
arms in a twelvemonth. So when they 
were departed, Sir Alisander beheld his 
lady Alice on horseback as he stood in 
her pavilion. And then he was so en- 
amoured upon her, that he wist not 
whether he were on horseback or on 
foot. Right so came the false knight 
Sir Mordred, and saw Sir Alisander was 
assotted upon his lady : and therewithal 
he took his horse by the bridle and 
led him here and there, and had cast to 
have led him out of that place to have 
shamed him. When the damsel that 
halp him out of that castle saw how 
shamefully he was led, anon she let arm 
her, and set a shield upon her shoulder. 
And therewith she mounted upon his 
horse, and gat a naked sword in her 
hand, and she thrust unto Alisander 
with all her might, and she gave him 
such a buffet that he thought the fire 
flew out of his eyes. And when Ali- 
sander felt that stroke he looked about 
him, and drew his sword. And when 
she saw that, she fled, and so did Mor- 
dred into the forest, and the damsel fled 
into the pavilion. So when Sir Alisan- 
der understood himself how the false 
knight would have shamed him, had 
not the damsel been, then was he wroth 
with himself that Sir Mordred was so 
escaped his hands. But then Sir Ali- 
sander and dame Alice had good game 
at the damsel, how sadly she hit him 
upon the helm. Then Sir Alisander 
justed thus day by day, and on foot- he 
did many battles with many knights of 
king Arthur's court, and with many 
knights strangers. Therefore to tell all 
the battles that he did it were overmuch 
to rehearse, for every day within that 
twelvemonth he had ado with one 
knight or with other, and some day 
he had ado with three or with four. 
And there was never knight that put 
him to the worse. And at the twelve- 
month's end he departed with his lady 
Alice la Beale Pilgrim, And the dam- 
sel would never go from him : and so 
they went into their country of Benoye, 
and lived there in great joy. 



CHAP. XL. 

How Sir Galahalt did do cry a justs in 
Surluse, and queen Gtienever's knights 
should just against all that would come. 

But as the book saith, king Mark 
would never stint till he had slain him 
by treason. And by Alice he gat a 
child which hight Bellengerus le Beuse. 
And by good fortune he came to the 
court of king Arthur, and proved a 
passing good knight : and he revenged 
his father's death ; for the false king 
Mark slew both Sir Tristram and Ali- 
sander falsely and feloniously. And it 
happed so that Alisander had never 
grace nor fortune to come unto king 
Arthur's court. For and he had come 
to Sir Launcelot, all knights said that 
knew him, he was one of the strongest 
knights that was in Arthur's days. And 
great dole was made for him. 

So let we of him pass, and turn we to 
another tale. So it befell that Sir Gala- 
halt the haut prince was lord of the 
countiy of Surluse, whereof came many 
good knights. And this noble prince 
was a passing good man of arms, and 
ever he held a noble fellowship together. 
And then he came to Arthur's court, 
and told him his intent, how this was 
his will, how he would let cry a justs 
in the country of Surluse, the which 
country was within the lands of king 
Arthur, and there he asked leave to 
let cry a justs. I will give you leave, 
said king Arthur. But wit thou well, 
said king Arthur, I may not be there. 
Sir, said queen Guenever, please it you 
to give me leave to be at that justs. 
With right good will, said Arthur, for 
Sir Galahalt the haut prince shall have 
you in governance. Sir, said Galahalt, 
I will as ye will. Sir, then the queen 
I will take with me, and such knights 
as please me best. Do as ye list, 
said king Arthur. So anon she com- 
manded Sir Launcelot to make him 
ready with such knights as he thought 
best. So in every good town and castle 
of this land was made a cry, that in the 
country of Surluse Sir Galahalt should 
make a justs that should last eight days: 



OF THE GREAT JUSTS IN SURLUSE. 



275 



and how the haut prince with the help 
of queen Guenever's knights should just 
against all manner of men that would 
come. ^Vhen this cry was known, kings 
and princes, dukes and earls, barons and 
noble knights, made them ready to be 
at that justs. And at the day of justing 
there came in Sir Dinadan disguised, 
and did many great deeds of arms. 

CHAP. XLI. 

How Sir Lawicelot fought in the tour- 
nament, and how Sir Palamides did 
arms there for a damsel. 

Then at the request of queen Guenever 
and of king Bagdemagus, Sir Launcelot 
came into the range, but he was dis- 
guised, and that was the cause that few 
folk knew him. And there met with 
him Sir Ector de Maris his own brother, 
and either brake their spears upon other 
to their hands. And then either gat 
another spear, and then Sir Launcelot 
smote down Sir Ector de Maris his own 
brother. That saw Sir Bleoberis, and 
he smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet 
upon the helm that he wist not well 
where he was. Then Sir Lanncelot was 
wroth, and smote Sir Bleoberis so sore 
upon the helm that his head bowed 
down backward. And he smote eft 
another buffet that he avoided his sad- 
dle. And so he rode by and thrust 
forth to the thickest. When the king 
of Northgalis saw Sir Ector and Sir 
Bleoberis lie on the ground, then he 
was wonderous wroth, for they came 
on his part against them of Surluse. 
So the king of Northgalis ran to Sir 
Launcelot, and brake a spear upon him 
all to pieces. Therewith Sir Launcelot 
overtook the king of Northgalis and 
smote him such a buffet on the helm 
with his sword that he made him to 
avoid his horse ; and anon the king was 
horsed again. So both the king Bag- 
demagus and the king of Northgalis 
party hurled together : and then began 
a strong meddle, but they of Northgalis 
were far bigger. 

When Sir Launcelot saw his party 
go to the worst, he thronged into the 



thickest press with a sword in his hand, 
and there he smote down on the right 
hand and on the left hand, and pulled 
down knights, and rased off their helms, 
that all men had wonder that ever one 
knight might do such deeds of arms. 
When Sir Meliagant, that was son unto 
king Bagdemagus, saw how Sir Launcelot 
fared, he marvelled greatly. And when 
he understood that it was he, he wist 
well that he was disguised for his sake. 
Then Sir Meliagant prayed a knight to 
slay Sir Launcelot's horse, either with 
sword or with spear. At that time king 
Bagdemagus met with a knight that 
hight Sauseise, a good knight, to whom 
he said. Now fair Sauseise, encounter 
with my son Meliagant, and give him 
large payment ; for I would he were 
well beaten of thy hands, that he might 
depart out of the field. And then Sir 
Sauseise encountered with Sir Melia- 
gant, and either smote other down. 
And then they fought on foot, and there 
Sauseise had won Sir Meliagant had 
not there come rescues. So then the 
haut prince blew to lodging. And every 
knight unarmed him and went to the 
great feast. Then in the meanwhile 
there came a damsel unto the haut 
prince, and complained that there was 
a knight that hight Goneries, that with- 
held her all her lands. Then the knight 
was there present, and cast his glove to 
him, or to any that M'ould fight in her 
name. So the damsel took up the glove 
all heavily for default of a champion. 
Then there came a varlet to her and 
said. Damsel, will ye do after me ? Full 
fain, said the damsel. Then go ye unto 
such a knight that lyeth here beside in 
an hermitage, and that followeth the 
questing beast, and pray him to take 
the battle upon him, and anon I wot 
well he will grant you. 

So anon she took her palfrey, and 
within awhile she found that knight, 
that was Sir Palamides. And when she 
required him, he armed him and rode 
with her, and made her to go to the 
haut prince, and to ask leave for her 
knight to do battle. I will well, said 
the haut prince. Then the knights 

18—2 " 



276 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK X. 



were ready in the field to just on horse- 
back: and either gat a spear in their 
hands, and met so fiercely together that 
their spears all to-shivered. And then 
they flung out swords, and Sir Pala- 
raides smote Sir Goneries down to the 
earth, and then he rased off his helm, 
and smote off his head. Then they 
went to supper. And the damsel loved 
Sir Palamides, but the book saith she 
was of his kin. So then Sir Palamides 
disguised him in this manner ; in his 
shield he bear the questing beast, and 
in all his trappings. And when he was 
thus ready, he sent to the haut prince 
to give him leave to just with other 
knights, but he was adoubted of Sir 
Launcelot. The haut prince sent him 
word again that he should be welcome, 
and that Sir Launcelot should not just 
with him. Then Sir Galahalt the haut 
prince let cry what knight soever he 
were that smote down Sir Palamides 
should have his damsel to himself. 

CHAP. XLII. 

How Sir Galahalt and Palamides fought 
together, and of Sir Dinadan and Sir 
Galahalt. 

Hebe beginneth the second day. 
Anon as Sir Palamides came into the 
field. Sir Galahalt the haut prince was 
at the range end, and met with Sir 
Palamides, and he with him, with great 
spears. And then they came so hard 
together that their spears all to-shivered. 
But Sir Galahalt smote him so hard 
that he bare him backward over his 
horse, but yet he lost not his stirrups. 
Then they drew their swords and lashed 
together many sad strokes that many 
worshipful knights left their business to 
behold them. But at the last Sir Gala- 
halt the haut prince smote a stroke of 
might unto Sir Palamides sore upon the 
helm, but the helm was so hard that the 
sword might not bite, but slipped and 
smote off the head of the horse of Sir 
Palamides. When the haut prince wist, 
and saw the good knight fall unto the 
earth, he was ashamed of that stroke. 
And therewith he alighted down off his 



own horse, and prayed the good knight 
Sir Palamides to take that horse of his 
gift, and to forgive him that deed. Sir, 
said Palamides, I thank you of your 
great goodness, for ever of a man 'of 
worship a knight shall never have dis- 
worship. And so he mounted upon that 
horse, and the haut prince had another 
anon. Now, said the haut prince, I 
release to you that maiden, for ye 
have won her. Ah, said Palamides, the 
damsel and I be at your commandment. 
So they departed, and Sir Galahalt did 
great deeds of arms. And right so 
came Dinadan and encountered with 
Sir Galahalt, and either came to other 
so fast with their spears, that their 
spears brake to their hands. But Dina- 
dan had wend the haut prince had been 
more weary than he was. And then he 
smote many sad strokes at the haut 
prince. But when Dinadan saw he 
might not get him to the earth, he said, 
My lord, I pray you leave me and take 
another. The haut prince knew not 
Dinadan, and left goodly for his fair 
words, and so they departed. But soon 
there came 'another, and told the haut 
prince that it was Dinadan. For- 
sooth, said the prince, therefore am I 
heavy that he is so escaped from me : 
for with his mocks and jests now shall 
I never have done with him. And then 
Galahalt rode fast after him, and bad 
him, Abide, Dinadan, for king Arthur's 
sake. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, we meet 
no more together this day. Then in 
that wrath the haut prince met with 
Mehagant, and he smote him in the 
throat, that and he had fallen his neck 
had broken, and with the same spear 
he smote down another knight. Then 
came in they of Northgalis, and many 
strangers, and were hke to have put 
them of Surluse to the worse, for Sir 
Galahalt the haut prince had ever much 
in hand. So there came in the good 
knight Semound the Valiant, with forty 
knights, and he beat them all aback. 
Then the queen Guenever and Sir Laun- 
celot let blow to lodging: and every 
knight unarmed him, and dressed him 
to the feast. 



CHAP. XLIV. 



OF THE THIRD DAY OF JUSTING. 



277 



CHAP. XLIII. 

Ho^v Sir Archade appealed Sir Palamides 
of treason, and bow Sir Palamides 
slew him. 

When Palamides was unarmed, he 
asked lodging for himself and the dam- 
sel. Anon the haut prince commanded 
them to lodging. And he was not so 
soon in his lodging, but there came a 
knight that hight Archade ; he was 
brother mito Goneries, that Sir Pala- 
mides slew afore in the damsel's quar- 
rel. And this knight Archade called 
Sir Palamides traitor, and appealed him 
for the death of his brother. By the 
leave of the haut prince, said Sir Pala- 
mides, I shall answer thee. When the 
haut prince understood their quarrel, he 
bad them go to dinner, and as soon as 
ye have dined, look that either knight 
be ready in the field. So when they 
had dined, they were armed both, and 
took their horses; and the queen, and 
the prince, and Sir Launcelot, were 
set to behold them. And so they let 
run their horses, and there Sir Pala- 
mides bare Archade on his spear over 
his horse tail. And then Palamides 
alight, and drew his sword ; but Sir 
Archade might not arise, and there 
Sir Palamides rased off his helm, and 
smote off his head. Then the haut 
prince and queen Guenever went to 
supper. Then king Bagdemagus sent 
away his son Meliagant, because Sir 
Launcelot should not meet with him, 
for he hated Sir Launcelot, and that 
knew he not. 

CHAP. XLIV. 

Of the third day, and how Sir Palamides 
justed with Sir Lamorak, and other 
things. 

Now beginneth the third day of just- 
ing, and at that day king Bagdema- 
gus made him ready, and there came 
j against him king Marsil, that had in 
gift an island of Sir Galahalt the haut 
prince ; and this island had the name 
Pomitain. Then it befell that king 
Bagdemagus and king INIarsil of Pomi- 



tain met together with spears, and 
king Marsil had such a buffet that he 
fell over his horse croup. Then there 
came in a knight of king Marsil, to 
revenge his lord : and king Bagdemagus 
smote him down, horse and man, to the 
earth. So there came an earl that hight 
Arrouse, and Sir Breuse, and an hundred 
knights with them of Pomitain, and 
the king of Northgalis was with them ; 
and all these were against them of Sur- 
luse. And then there began great battle, 
and many knights were cast under horse 
feet. And ever king Bagdemagus did 
best, for he first began, and ever he 
held on. Gaheris, Gawaine's brother, 
smote ever at the face of king Bagde- 
magus : and at the last king Bagdema- 
gus hurtled down Gaheris, horse and 
man. Then, by adventure, Sir Pala- 
mides, the good knight, met with Sir 
Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis' bro- 
ther, and there either smote other with 
great spears, that both their horses and 
knights fell to the earth. But Sir Bla- 
mor had such a fall that he had almost 
broken his neck ; for the blood brast 
out at nose, mouth, and his ears; but 
at the last he recovered well by good 
surgeons. Then there came in duke 
Chaleins of Clarance, and in his go- 
vernance there came a knight that 
hight Ehs la Noire ; and there encoun- 
tered with him king Bagdemagus, and 
he smote Elis that he made him to 
avoid his saddle. So the duke Chaleins 
of Clarance did there great deeds of 
arms ; and of so late as he came in the 
third day there was no man did so well, 
except king Bagdemagus and Sir Pala- 
mides ; that the prize was given that 
day unto king Bagdemagus. And then 
they blew unto lodging, and unarmed 
them, and went to the feast. Right so 
there came Sir Dinadan, and mocked 
and jested with king Bagdemagus, that 
all knights laughed at him ; for he was 
a fine jester, and well loving all good 
knights. So anon as they had dined 
there came a varlet, bearing four spears 
on his back, and he came to Palamides 
and said thus : Here is a knight by hath 
sent you the choice of four spears, and 



278 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



requireth you for your lady's sake to 
take that one half of these spears, and 
just with him in the field. Tell him, 
said Palamides, I will not fail him. 
When Sir Galahalt wist of this, he bad 
Palamides make him ready. So the 
queen Guenever, the haut prince, and 
Sir Launcelot, they were set upon scaf- 
folds to give the judgment of these two 
knights. 

Then Sir Palamides and the strange 
knight ran so eagerly together that 
their spears brake to their hands. Anon 
withal either of them took a great spear 
in his hand and all to-shivered them in 
pieces. And then either took a greater 
spear. And then the knight smote 
down Sir Palamides, horse and man, 
to the earth. And as he would have 
passed over him, the strange knight's 
horse stumbled, and fell down upon Pa- 
lamides. Then they drew their swords, 
and lashed together wonderly sore a 
great while. Then the haut prince and 
Sir Launcelot said they saw never two 
knights fight better than they did. But 
ever the strange knight doubled his 
strokes, and put Palamides aback. There- 
with the haut prince cried, Ho ; and 
then they went to lodging. And when 
they were unarmed they knew it was 
the noble knight Sir Lamorak. When 
Sir Launcelot knew that it was Sir 
Lamorak he made much of him ; for 
above all earthly men he loved him 
best except Sir Tristram. Then queen 
Guenever commended him, and so did 
all other good knights make much 
of him, except Sir Gawaine's brethren. 
Then queen Guenever said unto Sir 
Launcelot, Sir, I require you that and 
ye just any more, that ye just with none 
of the blood of my lord Arthur. So he 
promised he would not as at that time. 

CHAP. XLV. 

Of the fourth day, and of many great feats 
of arms. 

Here beginneth the fourth day. Then 
came into the field the king with the 
hundred knights, and all they of North- 
galis, and the duke Chaleins of Cla- 



rance, and king Marsil of Pomitain. 
And there came Safere, Palamides' bro- 
ther, and there he told him tidings of 
his mother, and how he appealed an 
earl before king Arthur : — For he made 
war upon our father and mother, and 
there I slew him in plain battle. So 
they went into the field, and the damsel 
with them ; and there came to encounter 
against them Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and 
Sir Ector de Maris. Sir Palamides en- 
countered with Sir Bleoberis, and either 
smote other down; and in the same 
wise did Sir Safere and Sir Ector, and 
those two couples did battle on foot. 
Then came in Sir Lamorak, and he en- 
countered with the king with the hun- 
dred knights, and smote him quite over 
his horse tail ; and in the same wise he 
served the king of Northgalis, and also 
he smote down king Marsil. And so, 
or ever he stint, he smote down with 
his spear and with his sword thirty 
knights. When duke Chaleins saw La- 
morak do so great prowess, he would 
not meddle with him for shame; and 
then he charged all his knights in pain 
of death that none of you touch him, 
for it were shame to all good knights 
and that knight were shamed. Then 
the two kings gathered them together, 
and all they set upon Sir Lamorak, and 
he failed them not, but rashed here and 
there, smiting on the right hand and on 
the left, and rased off many helms, so 
that the haut prince and queen Gue- 
never said they saw never knight do 
such deeds of arms on horseback. Alas, 
said Launcelot to king Bagdemagus, I 
will arm me and help Sir Lamorak. 
And I will ride with you, said king 
Bagdemagus. And when they two were 
horsed, they came to Sir Lamorak, that 
stood among thirty knights, and well 
was him that might reach him a buffet : 
and ever he smote again mightily. Then 
came there into the press Sir Launcelot, 
and he threw down Sir Mador de la 
Porte, and with the truncheon of that 
spear he threw down many knights. 
And king Bagdemagus smote on the 
left hand and on the right hand mar- 
vellously well. And then the three kings 



CHAP. XL\^. 



OF THE FIFTH DAY OF JUSTING. 



fled aback. Therewithal then Sir Gala- 
halt let blow to lodging, and all the 
heralds gave Sir Lamorak the prize. 
And all this while fought Palamides, 
Sir Bleoberis, Sir Safere, Sir Ector, on 
foot. Never were there four knights 
evener matched. And then they were 
parted, and had unto their lodging, and 
unarmed them, and so they went to the 
great feast. 

But when Sir Lamorak was come 
unto the court, queen Guenever took 
him in her arms, and said, Sir, well 
have ye done this day. Then came the 
haut prince, and he made of him great 
joy, and so did Dinadan, for he wept 
for joy. But the joy that Sir Launcelot 
made of Sir Lamorak there might no 
man tell. Then they went unto rest ; 
and on the mom the haut prince let 
blow unto the field. 

CHAP. XLVI. 
0/ the fifth day, and how Sir Lamorak 
behaved him. 
Here beginneth the fifth day. So it 
befell that Sir Palamides came in the 
mom-tide and proffered to just there as 
king Arthur was, in a castle there be- 
side Surluse ; and there encountered 
with him a worshipful duke, and there 
Sir Palamides smote him over his horse 
croup. And this duke was uncle unto 
king Arthur. Then Sir Elise's son 
rode unto Palamides, and Palamides 
served Elise in the same wise. When Sir 
Uwaine saw this, he was wroth. Then 
he took his horse, and encountered with 
Sir Palamides, and Palamides smote 
him so hard that he went to the earth, 
horse and man. And for to make a 
short tale, he smote down three bre- 
thren of Sir Gawaine's, that is for to 
say, Mordred, Gaheris, and Agravaine. 
Truly, said Arthur, this is a great 
despite of a Saracen, that he shall smite 
down my blood. And therewithal 
king Arthur was wood wroth, and 
thought to have made him ready to 
just. That espied Sir Lamorak, that 
Arthur and his blood were discomfited. 
And anon he was ready, and asked 
Palamides if he would any more just. 



Why should I not? said Palamides. 
Then they hurtled together, and brake 
their spears and all to-shivered them, 
that all the castle rang of their dints. 
Then either gat a greater spear in his 
hand, and they came so fiercely to- 
gether ; but Sir Palamides' spear all 
to-brast, and Sir Lamorak's did hold. 
Therewithal Sir Palamides lost his 
stirrups and lay upright on his horse's 
back. And then Sir Palamides returned 
again, and took his damsel, and Sir 
Safere returned his way. So when he 
was departed, king Arthur came to Sir 
Lamorak, and thanked him of his good- 
ness, and prayed him to tell him his 
name. Sir, said Lamorak, wit you well, 
I owe you my service : but as at this 
time I will not abide here, for I see of 
mine enemies many about me. Alas, 
said Arthur, now wot I well it is Sir 
Lamorak de Galis. O, Lamorak, abide 
with me, and by my crown I shall never 
fail thee : and not so hardy in Ga- 
waine's head, nor none of his brethren, 
to do thee any wrong. Sir, said Sir La- 
morak, wrong have they done me and 
to you both. That is tmth, said king 
Arthur, for they slew their own mother 
and my sister, which me sore grieveth. 
It had been much fairer and better 
that ye had wedded her, for ye are a 
king's son as well as they. Truly, said 
the noble knight Sir Lamorak unto 
Arthur, her death shall I never forget ; 
I promise you and make mine avow I 
shall avenge her death as soon as I see 
time convenient. And if it were not at 
the reverence of your highness I should 
now have been revenged upon Sir Ga- 
waine and his brethren. Truly, said 
Arthur, I will make you at accord. Sir, 
said Lamorak, as at this time I may 
not abide with you, for I must to the 
justs, where is Sir Launcelot and the 
haut prince Sir Galahalt. 

Then there was a damsel that was 
daughter to king Bandes ; and there was 
a Saracen knight that hight Corsabrin, 
and he loved the damsel, and in no wise 
he would suffer her to be married. For 
ever this Sir Corsabrin defamed her, 
and named her that she was out of her 



28o 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



mind; and thus he let her that she 
might not be married. 

CHAP. XLVII. 

Hovj Sir Palamides fought with Corsabrin 
for a lady, and how Palamides dew 

Corsabrin. 

So by fortune this damsel heard tell 
that Palamides did much for damsels' 
sakes ; so she sent to him a pensel, and 
prayed him to fight with Sir Corsabrin 
for her love, and he should have her, 
and her lands of her father's that should 
fall to her. Then the damsel sent unto 
Corsabrin, and bad him go unto Sir 
Palamides, that was a Paynim as well 
as he : and she gave him warning that 
she had sent him her pensel ; and if he 
might overcome Palamides she would 
wed him. When Corsabrin wist of her 
deeds, then was he wood wroth and 
angry, and rode unto Surluse, where 
the haut prince was, and there he found 
Sir Palamides ready, the which had the 
pensel. So there they waged battle 
either with other afore Galahalt. Well, 
said the haut prince, this day must 
noble knights just, and at after dinner 
we shall see how ye can speed. Then 
they blew to justs. And in came Dina- 
dan, and met with Sir Gerin, a good 
knight, and he threw him down over 
his horse croup : and Sir Dinadan over- 
threw four knights more ; and there he 
did great deeds of arms. For he was a 
good knight, but he was a scoffer, and 
a jester, and the merriest knight among 
fellowship that was that time living. 
And he had such a custom that he 
loved every good knight, and every 
good knight loved him again. So then 
when the haut prince saw Dinadan do 
so well, he sent unto Sir Launcelot, and 
bade him strike down Sir Dinadan : — 
And when that ye have done so, bring 
him afore me and the noble queen Gue- 
never. Then Sir Launcelot did as he 
was required. Then Sir Lamorak and 
he smote down many knights, and 
rased off helms, and drove all the 
knights afore them. And so Sir Laun- 
celot smote down Sir Dinadan, and 
made his men to unarm him, and so 



brought him to the queen and the haut 
prince, and then laughed at Sir Dina- 
dan so sore that they might not stand. 
W^ell, said Sir Dinadan, yet have I no 
shame, for the old shrew Sir Launcelot 
smote me down. So they went to din- 
ner, and all the court had good sport at 
Dinadan. Then when the dinner was 
done, they blew to the field, to behold 
Sir Palamides and Corsabrin. Sir Pala- 
mides pight his pensel in the midst of 
the field, and then they hurtled together 
with their spears as it were thunder, 
and either smote other to the earth. 
And then they pulled their swords, and 
dressed their shields, and lashed to- 
gether mightily as mighty knights, that 
well nigh there was no piece of harness 
would hold them. For this Corsabrin 
was a passing felonious knight. Cor- 
sabrin, said Palamides, wilt thou release 
me yonder damsel, and the pensel? 
Then was Corsabrin wroth out of 
measure, and gave Palamides such a 
buffet that he kneeled on his knee. 
Then Palamides arose lightly, and 
smote him upon the helm that he fell 
down right to the earth. And there- 
with he rased off his helm, and said, 
Corsabrin, yield thee, or else thou shalt 
die of my hands. Fie on thee, said Cor- 
sabrin, do thy worst. Then he smote 
off his head. And therewithal came 
a stench of his body when the soul de- 
parted, so that there might no body 
abide the savour. So was the corpse 
had away and buried in a wood, because 
he was a Paymin. 

Then they blew unto lodging, and 
Palamides was unarmed. Then he 
went unto queen Guenever, to the haut 
prince, and to Sir Launcelot. Sir, said 
the haut prince, here have ye seen 
this day a great miracle by Corsabrin, 
what savour there was when the soul 
departed from the body. Therefore, Sir, 
we will require you to take the baptism 
upon you ; and I promise you, all 
knights will set the more by you, and 
say more worship by you. Sir, said 
Palamides, I will that ye all know that 
into this land I came to be christened, 
and in my heart I am christened, and 



CHAP. XLVIII, 



OF THE JUSTING ON THE SIXTH DAY. 



2»I 



christened will I be. But I have made 
such an avow, that I may not be chris- 
tened till I have done seven true battles 
for Jesus' sake. And then will I be chris- 
tened. And I trust God will take mine 
intent, for I mean truly. Then Sir Pala- 
mides prayed queen Guenever and the 
haut prince to sup with him. And so 
they did both, Sir Launcelot, and Sir 
Lamorak, and many other good knights. 
So on the morn they heard their mass, 
and blew the field; and then knights 
made them ready. 

CHAP. XLVIII. 

Of the sixth day, and what then was 
done. 

Here beginneth the sixth day. Then 
came there in Sir Gaheris, and there 
encountered with him Sir Ossaise of 
Surluse, and Sir Gaheris smote him over 
his horse croup. And then either party 
encountered with other, and there was 
many spears broken, and many knights 
cast under feet. So there came Sir 
Dornard and Sir Aglovale, that were 
brethren unto Sir Lamorak, and they 
met with other two knights, and either 
smote other so hard that all four knights 
and horses fell to the earth. When 
Sir Lamorak saw his two brethren 
down he Avas wroth out of measure. 
And then he gat a great spear in his 
hand, and therewithal he smote down 
four good knights, and then his spear 
brake. Then he pulled out his sword, 
and smote about him on the right hand 
and on the left hand, and rased off 
helms and pulled down knights, that all 
men marvelled of such deeds of arms 
as he did, for he fared so that many 
knights fled. Then he horsed his bre- 
thren again, and said, Brethren, ye 
ought to be ashamed to fall so off 
your horses ; what is a knight but when 
he is on horseback ? I set not by a 
knight when he is on foot, for all 
battles on foot are but pelowres bat- 
tles. For there should no knight fight 
on foot, but if it were for treason, or 
else he were driven thereto by force: 
therefore, brethren, sit fast upon your 



horses, or else fight never more afore 
me. With that came in duke Cha- 
leins of Clarance ; and there encoun- 
tered with him the earl Ulbawes of 
Surluse, and either of them smote other 
down. Then the knights of both par- 
ties horsed their lords again; for Sir 
Ector and Bleoberis were on foot, wait- 
ing on the duke Chaleins; and the 
king with the hundred knights was with 
the earl of Ulbawes. With that came 
Gaheris, and lashed to the king with 
the hundred knights, and he to him 
again. Then came the duke Chaleins 
and departed them. Then they blew 
to lodging, and the knights unarmed 
them, and drew them to their dinner ; 
and at the midst of their dinner in came 
Dinadan, and began to rail. Then he 
beheld the haut prince, that seemed 
wroth with some fault that he saw. 
For he had a custom he loved no fish ; 
and because he was served with fish, the 
which he hated, therefore he was not 
merry. When Sir Dinadan had espied 
the haut prince, he espied where was a 
fish with a great head, and that he gat 
betwixt two dishes, and served the haut 
prince with that fish. And then he 
said thus : Sir Galahalt, well may I 
liken you to a wolf, for he will never 
eat fish, but flesh. Then the haut 
prince laughed at his words. Well, well, 
said Dinadan to Launcelot, what do 
ye in this country ; for here may no 
mean knights win no worship for thee ? 
Sir Dinadan, said Launcelot, I ensure 
thee that I shall no more meet with 
thee, nor with thy great spear, for I 
may not sit in my saddle when that 
spear hitteth me. And if I be happy, 
I shall beware of that boisterous body 
that thou bearest. W^ell, said Laun- 
celot, make good watch ever. God 
forbid that ever we meet, but if it be 
at a dish of meat. Then laughed the 
queen and the haut prince, that they 
might not sit at their table. Thus they 
made great joy till on the morn. And 
then they heard mass, and blew to field. 
And queen Guenever and all the estates 
were set, and judges armed clean with 
their shields to keep the right. 



282 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. XLIX. 

Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Laun- 
celot, being disguised like a maid, smote 
down Sir Dinadan. 

Now beginneth the seventh battle. 
There came in the duke Cambines, and 
there encountered with him Sir Aris- 
tance, that was counted a good knight, 
and they met so hard that either bare 
other down, horse and man. Then came 
there the earl of Lambaile, and helped 
the duke again to horse. Then came 
there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he 
smote the earl Lambaile down from his 
horse. Then began they to do great 
deeds of arms, and many spears were 
broken, and many knights were cast to 
the earth. Then the king of Northgalis 
and the earl Ulbawes smote together, 
that all the judges thought it was like 
mortal death. This mean while queen 
Guenever and the haut prince and Sir 
Launcelot made there Sir Dinadan make 
him ready to just. I would, said Sir 
Dinadan, ride into the field, but then 
one of you twain will meet with me. 
Perdy, said the haut prince, ye may see 
how we sit here as judges with our 
shields, and always mayest thou behold 
whether we sit here or not. So Sir 
Dinadan departed, and took his horse, 
and met with many knights, and did 
passing well. And as he was departed, 
Sir Launcelot disguised himself, and put 
upon his armour a maiden's garment 
freshly attired. Then Sir Launcelot 
made Sir Galihodin to lead him through 
the range, and all men had wonder 
what damsel it was. And so as Sir 
Dinadan came into the range. Sir Laun- 
celot, that was in the damsel's array, 
gat Galihodin's spear, and ran unto 
Sir Dinadan. And always Sir Dinadan 
looked up there as Sir Launcelot was, 
and then he saw one sit in the stead 
of Sir Launcelot, armed. But when 
Dinadan saw a manner of a damsel, he 
dread perils that it was Sir Launcelot 
disguised. But Sir Launcelot came 
on him so fast that he smote him 
over his horse croup. And then with 
great scorns they gat Sir Dinadan into 



the forest there beside, and there they 
despoiled him unto his shirt, and put 
upon him a woman's garment, and so 
brought him into the field, and so they 
blew unto lodging. And every knight 
went and unarmed him. Then was Sir 
Dinadan brought in among them all. 
And when queen Guenever saw Sir 
Dinadan brought so among them all, 
then she laughed that she fell down, 
and so did all that were there. Well, 
said Dinadan to Launcelot, thou art so 
false that I can never beware of thee. 
Then, by all the assent, they gave Sir 
Launcelot the prize : the next was Sir 
Lamorak de Galis ; the third was Sir 
Palamides ; the fourth was king Bagde- 
magus. So these four knights had the 
prize. And there was great joy and 
great nobley in all the court. And 
on the morn queen Guenever and Sir 
Launcelot departed unto king Arthur; 
but in no wise Sir Lamorak would not 
go with them. I shall undertake, said 
Sir Launcelot, that, and ye will go with 
us. king Arthur shall charge Sir Gawaine 
and his brethren never to do you hurt. 
As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I will 
not trust Sir Gawaine, nor none of his 
brethren; and wit ye well Sir Laun- 
celot, and it were not for my lord king 
Arthur's sake, I should match Sir Ga- 
waine and his brethren well enough. 
But to say that I should trust them, 
that shall I never. And therefore I 
pray you recommend me unto my lord 
Arthur, and unto all my lords of the 
Round Table. And in what place that 
ever I come I shall do you service to 
my power : and, sir, it is but late that 
I revenged that when my lord Ar- 
thur's kin were put to the worse by 
Sir Palamides. Then Sir Lamorak de- 
parted from Sir Launcelot, and either 
wept at their departing. 

CHAP. L. 

How by treason Sir Tristram was brought 
to a tournament for to have been slain, 
and how he was put in prison. 
Now turn we from this matter, and 

speak we of Sir Tristram, of whom this 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM WAS PUT IN PRISON. 



283 



book is principally of; and leave we the 
king and the queen, Sir Launcelot, and 
Sir Lamorak. And here beginneth the 
treason of king Mark that he ordained 
against Sir Tristram. There was cried 
by the coasts of Cornwall a great tour- 
nament and justs. And all was done 
by Sir Galahalt the haut prince, and 
king Bagdemagus, to the intent to slay 
Sir Launcelot, or else utterly destroy 
him and shame him, because Sir Laun- 
celot had always the higher degree : 
therefore this prince and this king made 
this justs against Sir Launcelot. And 
thus their counsel was discovered unto 
king Mark, whereof he was full glad. 
Then king Mark bethought him that he 
would have Sir Tristram unto that tour- 
nament disguised that no man should 
know him, to that intent that the haut 
prince should ween that Sir Tristram 
were Sir Launcelot. So at these justs 
came in Sir Tristram. And at that time 
Sir Launcelot was not there, but when 
they saw a knight disguised do such 
deeds of arms, they wend it had been 
Sir Launcelot. And in especial king 
Mark said it was Sir Launcelot plainly. 
Then they set upon him, both king 
Bagdemagus and the haut prince, and 
their knights, that it was wonder that 
ever Sir Tristram might endure that 
pain. Notwithstanding for all the pain 
that he had, Sir Tristram wan the de- 
gree at that tournament, and there he 
hurt many knights, and bruised them, 
and they hurt him, and bruised him 
wonderly sore. So when the justs were 
all done they knew well that it was Sir 
Tristram de Liones. And all that were 
on king Mark's party were glad that 
Sir Tristram was hurt, and the remnant 
were sorry of his hurt ; for Sir Tristram 
was not so behated as was Sir Launce- 
lot within the realm of England. Then 
came king Mark unto Sir Tristram, and 
said, Fair nephew, I am sorry of your 
hurts. Gramercy, my lord, said Sir 
Tristram. Then king Mark made Sir 
Tristram for to be put in a horse bier, 
in great sign of love, and said, Fair 
cousin, I shall be your leech myself. 
And so he rode forth with Sir Tristram, 



and brought him to a castle by day- 
light. And then king Mark made Sir 
Tristram to eat, and then after he gave 
him a drink, the which as soon as he 
had drunk he fell on sleep ; and when 
it was night he made him to be carried 
to another castle, and there he put him 
in a strong prison, and there he ordained 
a man and a woman to give him his 
meat and drink. So there he was a 
great while. Then was Sir Tristram 
missed, and no creature wist where he 
was become. When La Beale Isoud 
heard how he was missed, privily she 
went unto Sir Sadok, and prayed him to 
espy where was Sir Tristram. Then 
when Sadok wist how Sir Tristram 
was missed, and anon espied that he 
was put in prison by king Mark and 
the traitors of Magons, then Sadok and 
two of his cousins laid them in an am- 
bushment, fast by the castle of Tintagil, 
in arms. And as by fortune there came 
riding king Mark and four of his 
nephews, and a certain of the traitors 
of Magons. When Sir Sadok espied 
them he brake out of the bushment, 
and set there upon them. And when 
king Mark espied Sir Sadok he fled as 
fast as be might. And there Sir Sadok 
slew all the four nephews unto king 
Mark. But these traitors of Magons slew 
one of Sadok's cousins, with a great 
wound in the neck, but Sadok smote 
the other to death. Then Sir Sadok rode 
upon his way unto a castle that was 
called Liones, and there he espied of 
the treason and felony of king Mark. 
So they of that castle rode with Sir 
Sadok till that they came to a castle that 
hight Arbray. And there in the town 
they found Sir Dinas the seneschal, 
that was a good knight. But when Sir 
Sadok had told Sir Dinas of all the 
treason of king Mark, he defied such a 
king, and said he would give up his 
lands that he held of him. And when 
he said these words all manner knights 
said as Sir Dinas said. Then by his 
advice, and of Sir Sadok's, he let stuff 
all the towns and castles within the 
countiy of Liones, and assembled all 
the people that they might make. 



284 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. LI. 

How Tiing Mark let do counterfeit letters 
from the Pope, and how Sir Percivale 
delivered Sir Tristram out of prison. 

Now turn we unto king Mark, that 
when he was escaped from Sir Sadok 
he rode unto the castle of Tintagil, and 
there he made great cry and noise, and 
cried unto harness all that might bear 
arms. Then they sought and found 
where were dead four cousins of king 
Mark's, and the traitors of Magons. 
Then the king let inter them in a 
chapel. Then the king let cry in all 
the country that held of him, to go 
unto arms, for he understood to the 
war he must needs. When king Mark 
heard and understood how Sir Sadok 
and Sir Dinas were risen in the country 
of Liones, he remembered of wiles and 
treason. Lo, thus he did : he let make 
and counterfeit letters from the Pope, 
and did make a strange clerk to bear 
them unto king Mark. The which 
letters specified, that king Mark should 
make him ready, upon pain of cursing, 
with his host to come to the Pope, to 
help to go to Jerusalem, for to make war 
upon the Saracens. When this clerk 
was come by the mean of the king, 
anon withal king Mark sent these let- 
ters unto Sir Tristram, and bad him say 
thus ; That and he would go war upon 
the miscreants, he should be had out of 
prison, and to have all his power. 
When Sir Tristram understood this 
letter, then he said thus to the clerk: 
Ah, king Mark, ever hast thou been a 
traitor, and ever wilt be: but clerk, 
said Sir Tristram, say thou thus unto 
king Mark. Since the apostle Pope 
hath sent for him, bid him go thither 
himself, for tell him, traitor king as he 
is, I will not go at his command, get I 
out of my prison as I may. For I see I 
am well rewarded for my true service. 
Then the clerk returned unto king 
Mark, and told him of the answer of 
Sir Tristram. Well, said king Mark, yet 
shall he be beguiled. So he went into 
his chamber, and counterfeited letters, 
and the letters specified that the Pope 



desired Sir Tristram to come himself to 
make war upon the miscreants. When 
the clerk was come again unto Sir Tris- 
tram and took him these letters, then 
Sir Tristram beheld these letters, and 
anon espied they were of king Mark's 
counterfeiting. Ah, said Sir Tristram, 
false hast thou been ever, king Mark, 
and so wilt thou end. Then the clerk 
departed from Sir Tristram, and came 
to king Mark again. By then there 
were come four wounded knights within 
the castle of Tintagil, and one of them 
his neck was nigh broken in twain, 
another had his arm stricken away, the 
third was borne through with a spear, 
the fourth had his teeth stricken in 
twain. And when they came afore king 
Mark they cried and said. King, why 
fleest thou not, for all this country is 
arisen clearly against thee. Then was 
king Mark wroth out of measure. And 
in the mean while there came into the 
country Sir Percivale de Galis, to seek 
Sir Tristram. And when he heard that 
Sir Tristram was in prison, Sir Percivale 
made clearly the deliverance of Sir Tris- 
tram by his knightly means. And when 
he was so delivered he made great joy 
of Sir Percivale, and so each one of 
other. Sir Tristram said unto Sir Perci- 
vale, And ye will abide in these marches, 
I will ride with you. Nay, said Perci- 
vale, in this country may I not tarry, 
for I must needs into Wales, So Sir 
Percivale departed from Sir Tristram, 
and rode straight unto king Mark, and 
told him how he had delivered Sir Tris- 
tram. And also he told the king that 
he had done himself great shame for 
to put Sir Tristram in prison, for he is 
now the knight of most renown in all 
this world living. And wit thou well 
the most noble knights of the world 
love Sir Tristram, and if he will make 
war upon you ye may not abide it. 
That is truth, said king Mark, but I 
may not love Sir Tristram because he 
loveth my queen and my wife, La Beale 
Isoud. Ah fie for shame, said Sir Perci- 
vale, say ye never so more. Are ye not 
uncle unto Sir Tristram, and he your 
nephew ? Ye should never think that so 



HOW SIR TRISTRAM CAME TO ENGLAND. 



noble a knight as Sir Tristram is, that 
he would do himself so great a villarty 
to hold his uncle's wife, howbeit, said 
Sir Percivale, he may love your queen 
sinless, because she is called one of the 
fairest ladies of the world. Then Sir 
Percivale departed from king Mark. 
So when he was departed king Mark 
bethought him of more treason, not- 
withstanding king Mark granted Sir 
Percivale never by no manner of means 
to hurt Sir Tristram. So anon king 
Mark sent unto Sir Dinas the seneschal, 
that he shou]d put down all the people 
that he had raised, for he sent him an 
oath that he would go himself unto the 
Pope of Rome to war upon the mis- 
creants, and this is a fairer war than 
thus to raise the people against your 
king. When Sir Dinas the seneschal 
understood that king Mark would go 
upon the miscreants, then Sir Dinas in 
all the haste put down all the people ; 
and when the people were departed 
every man to his home, then king Mark 
espied where was Sir Tristram with La 
Beale Isoud. And there by treason king 
Mark let take him and put him in 
prison, contrary to his promise that he 
made unto Sir Percivale. When queen 
Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was 
in prison she made as great sorrow as 
ever made lady or gentlewoman. Then 
Sir Tristram sent a letter unto La Beale 
Isoud, and prayed her to be his good 
lady; and if it pleased her to make a 
vessel ready for her and him, he would 
go with her unto the realm of Logris, 
that is this land. When La Beale Isoud 
understood Sir Tristram's letters and 
his intent, she sent him another, and 
bad him be of good comfort, for she 
would do make the vessel ready, and 
all things to purpose. Then La Beale 
Isoud sent unto Sir Dinas, and to 
Sadok, and prayed them in any wise 
to take king Mark and put him in 
prison, unto the time that she and Sir 
Tristram were departed unto the realm 
of Logris. When Sir Dinas the se- 
neschal understood the treason of king 
Mark, he promised her again, and sent 
to her word that king Mark should be 



put in prison. And as they devised it 
so it was done. And then Sir Tristram 
was delivered out of prison, and anon 
in all the haste queen Isoud and Sir 
Tristram went and took their counsel 
with that they would have with them 
when they departed. 

CHAP. LII. 
How Sir Tristra7n and La Beale Isoud 

came into England, and how Sir Laun- 

celot brought them to Joyous Gard. 

Then La Beale Isoud and Sir Tris- 
tram took their vessel, and came by 
water into this land. And so they were 
not in this land four days but there 
came a cry of a justs and tournament 
that king Arthur let make. When Sir 
Tristram heard tell of that tournament, 
he disguised himself and La Beale 
Isoud, and rode unto that tournament. 
And when he came there he saw many 
knights just and tourney, and so Sir 
Tristram dressed him to the range. 
And to make short conclusion, he over- 
threw fourteen knights of the Round 
Table. When Sir Launcelot saw these 
knights thus overthrown Sir Launcelot 
dressed him to Sir Tristram. That saw 
La Beale Isoud, how Sir Launcelot 
was come into the field. Then La 
Beale Isoud sent unto Sir Launcelot a 
ring, and bad him wit that it was Sir 
Tristram de Liones. When Sir Launce- 
lot understood that there was Sir Tris- 
tram, he was full glad, and would not 
just. Then Sir Launcelot espied whither 
Sir Tristram went, and after him he 
rode, and then either made of other 
great joy. And so Sir Launcelot brought 
Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto 
Joyous Gard, that was his own castle 
that he had won with his own hands. 
And there Sir Launcelot put them in to 
weld for their own. And wit ye well 
that castle was garnished and furnished 
for a king and a queen royal there to 
have sojourned. And Sir Launcelot 
charged all his people to honour them 
and love them as they would do himself. 

So Sir Launcelot departed unto king 
Arthur; and then he told queen Gue- 
never how he that justed so well at the 



286 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



last tournament was Sir Tristram. And 
there he told her how he had with him 
La Beale Isoud, maugre king Mark ; 
and so queen Guenever told all this 
unto king Arthur. When king Arthur 
wist that Sir Tristram was escaped, and 
come from king Mark, and had brought 
La Beale Isoud with him, then was he 
passing glad. So because of Sir Tris- 
tram king Arthur let make a cry, that 
on May-day should be a justs, before 
the castle of Lonazep ; and that castle 
was fast by Joyous Gard. And thus 
king Arthur devised, that all the knights 
of this land, and of Cornwall, and of 
North Wales, should just against all 
these countries, — Ireland, Scotland, and 
the remnant of Wales, and the country 
of Gore, and Surluse, and of Listinoise, 
and they of Northumberland, and all 
they that held lands of king Arthur on 
this half the sea. When this cry was 
made, many knights were glad and 
many were unglad. Sir, said Launcelot 
unto Arthur, by this cry that ye have 
made, ye will put us that be about you 
in great jeopardy, for there be many 
knights that have great envy to us, 
therefore when we shall meet at the 
day of justs, there will be hard shift 
among us. As for that, said Arthur, 
I care not, there shall we prove who 
shall be the best of his hands. So when 
Sir Launcelot understood wherefore king 
Arthur made this justing, then he made 
such purveyance that La Beale Isoud 
should behold the justs in a secret place 
that was honest for her estate. 

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram and 
La Beale Isoud, how they made great 
joy daily together with all manner of 
mirths that they could devise ; and every 
day Sir Tristram would go ride on 
hunting, for Sir Tristram was that time 
called the best chaser of the world, and 
the noblest blower of an horn of all 
manner of measures. For, as books 
report, of Sir Tristram came all the 
good terms of venery and hunting, and 
all the sizes and measures of blowing of 
an horn; and of him we had first all 
the tei-ms of hawking, and which were 
beasts of chase, and beasts of venery, 



and which were vermins; and all the 
blasts that belong to all manner of 
games. First to the uncouphng, to the 
seeking, to the rechate, to the flight, to 
the death, and to strake ; and many 
other blasts and terms, that all manner 
of gentlemen have cause to the world's 
end to praise Sir Tristram and to pray 
for his soul. 

CHAP. LIIL 
How by the counsel of La Beale Isoud Sir 

Tristram rode armed, and how he met 

with Sir Palamides. 

So on a day La Beale Isoud said unto 
Sir Tristram, I marvel me much, said 
she, that ye remember not yourself, how 
that ye be here in a strange country, 
and here be many perilous knights, and 
well ye wote that king Mark is full of 
treason, and that ye will ride thus to 
chase and hunt unarmed ; ye might be 
destroyed. My fair lady and my love, 
I cry you mercy, I will no more do 
so. So then Sir Tristi-am rode daily 
on hunting armed, and his men bear- 
ing his shield and his spear. So on 
a day, a little afore the month of May, 
Sir Tristram chased an hart passing 
eagerly, and so the hart passed by 
a fair well. And then Sir Tristram 
alighted, and put off his helm to drink 
of that burbley water. Right so he 
heard and saw the questing beast come 
to the well. When Sir Tristram saw 
that beast, he put on his helm, for he 
deemed he should hear of Sir Pala- 
mides, for that beast was his quest. Right 
so Tristram saw where came a knight 
armed, upon a noble courser, and he 
saluted him, and they spake of many 
things ; and this knight's name was 
Breuse Sance Pite. And right so withal 
there came unto them the noble knight 
Sir Palamides, and either saluted other, 
and spake fair to other. Fair knights, 
said Sir Breuse Sance Pite, I can tell 
you tidings. What is that ? said those 
knights. Sirs, wit ye well that king 
Mark is put in prison by his own 
knights, and all was for love of Sir 
Tristram: for king Mark had put Sir 
Tristram twice in prison ; and once 



CHAP. LIII. 



OF SIR BREUSE SANCE PITE. 



287 



Sir Percivale delivered the noble knight 
Sir Tristram out of prison ; and at the 
last time queen La Beale Isoud de- 
livered him, and went clearly away with 
him into this realm : and all this while 
king Mark the false traitor is in prison. 
Is this truth ? said Sir Palamides ; then 
shall we hastily hear of Sir Tristram. 
And as for to say that I love La Beale 
Isoud, I dare make good that I do, and 
that she hath my service above all other 
ladies, and shall have the term of my 
life. And right so as they stood talking 
they saw afore them where came a 
knight, all armed on a great horse, and 
one of his men bare his shield, and the 
other his spears. And anon as that 
knight espied them, he gat his shield 
and his spear, and dressed him to just. 
Fair fellows, said Sir Tristram, yonder 
is a knight will just with us ; let see 
which of us shall encounter with him, 
for I see well he is of the court of king 
Arthur. It shall not be long or he be 
met withal, said Sir Palamides, for I 
found never no knight in my quest of 
this glasting beast but, and he would 
just, I never refused him. As well may 
I, said Breuse Sance Pite, follow that 
beast as ye. Then shall ye do bat- 
tle with me, said Sir Palamides. So 
Sir Palamides dressed him unto the 
other knight. Sir Bleoberis, that was a 
full noble knight, nigh kin unto Sir 
Launcelot. And so they met so hard 
that Sir Palamides fell to the earth, 
horse and all. Then Sir Bleoberis cried 
aloud, and said thus : Make thee ready, 
thou false traitor knight, Breuse Sance 
Pite, for wit thou certainly I will have 
ado with thee to the utterance, for the 
noble knights and ladies that thou hast 
falsely betrayed. When this false knight 
and traitor, Breuse Sance Pite, heard 
him say so, he took his horse by the 
bridle, and fled his way as fast as his 
horse might run, for sore he was of him 
afeard. When Sir Bleoberis saw him 
flee, he followed fast after him, through 
thick and through thin. And by for- 
tune as Sir Breuse fled, he saw even 
afore him three knights of the Table 
Round, of the which the one hight Sir 



Ector de Maris, the other hight Sir 
Percivale de Galis, the third hight Sir 
Harry le Fise Lake, a good knight and 
an hardy. And as for Sir Percivale, he 
was called that time of his time one of 
the best knights of the world, and the 
best assured. When Breuse saw these 
knights, he rode straight unto them, 
and cried unto then), and prayed them 
of rescues. What need have ye? said 
Sir Ector. Ah, fair knights, said Sir 
Breuse, here followeth me the most 
traitor knight and most coward, and 
most of villainy: his name is Breuse 
Sance Pite ; and if he may get me, he 
will slay me without mercy and pity. 
Abide with us, said Sir Percivale, and 
we shall warrant you. Then were they 
ware of Sir Bleoberis, that came riding 
all that he might. Then Sir Ector put 
himself forth for to just afore them all. 
When Sir Bleoberis saw that they were 
four knights, and he but himself, he 
stood in a doubt whether he would turn 
or hold his way. Then he said to him- 
self, I am a knight of the Table Round, 
and rather than I should shame mine 
oath and my blood I will hold my way 
whatsoever fall thereof. And then Sir 
Ector dressed his spear, and smote 
either other passing sore, but Sir Ector 
fell to the earth. That saw Sir Perci- 
vale, and he dressed his horse toward 
him all that he might drive; but Sir 
Percivale had such a stroke that horse 
and man fell to the earth. When Sir 
Harry saw that they were both to the 
earth, then he said to himself, Never 
was Breuse of such prowess. So Sir 
Harry dressed his horse, and they met 
together so strongly that both the 
horses and knights fell to the earth ; 
bat Sir Bleoberis's horse began to re- 
cover again. That saw Sir Breuse, and 
he came hurtling, and smote him over 
and over, and would have slain him as 
he lay on the ground. Then Sir Harry 
le Fise Lake arose lightly, and took the 
bridle of Sir Breuse's horse, and said. 
Fie for shame, strike never a knight 
when he is at the earth ; for this 
knight may be called no shameful 
knight of his deeds : for yet as men 



28S 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



may see there as he lieth on the ground, 
he hath done worshipfully, and put to the 
worse passing good knights. Therefore 
will I not let, said Sir Breuse. Thou 
shalt not choose, said Sir Harry, as at 
this time. Then when Sir Breuse saw 
that he might not choose, nor have his 
will, he spake fair. Then Sir Harry let 
him go. And then anon he made his 
horse to run over Sir Bleoberis, and 
rashed him to the earth like if he would 
have slain him. When Sir Harry saw 
him do so villainously, he cried, Traitor 
knight, leave off for shame. And as Sir 
Harry would have taken his horse to 
fight with Sir Breuse, then Sir Breuse 
ran upon him as he was half upon his 
horse, and smote him down horse and 
man to the earth, and had near slain Sir 
Harry the good knight. That saw Sir 
Percivale, and then he cried, Traitor 
knight what dost thou? And when 
Sir Percivale was upon his horse, Sir 
Breuse took his horse, and fled all that 
ever he might, and Sir Percivale and Sir 
Harry followed after him fast, but ever 
the longer they chased the further were 
they behind. Then they turned again, 
and came to Sir Ector de Maris and to 
Sir Bleoberis. Ah fair knights, said 
Bleoberis, why have ye succoured that 
false knight and traitor ? Why, said Sir 
Harry, what knight is he? for well I 
wot it is a false knight, said Sir Harry, 
and a coward, and a felonious knight. 
Sir, said Bleoberis, he is the most 
coward knight, and a devourer of ladies, 
and a destroyer of good knights, and 
specially of Arthur's. What is your 
name ? said Sir Ector. My name is Sir 
Bleoberis de Ganis. Alas, fair cousin, 
said Ector, forgive it me, for I am Sir 
Ector de ]\Iaris. Then Sir Percivale 
and Sir Harry made great joy that they 
met with Bleoberis, but all they were 
heavy that Sir Breuse was escaped them, 
whereof they made great dole. 

CHAP. LIV. 

Of Sir Palamides, and how he met with 
Sir Bleoberis and with Sir Ector, and 
of Sir Percivale. 
Right so as they stood thus, there 



came Sir Palamides ; and when he saw 
the shield of Bleoberis lie on the earth, 
then said Palamides, He that owneth 
that shield, let him dress him to me, for 
he smote me down here fast by at a 
fountain, and therefore I will fight with 
him on foot. I am ready, said Sir Bleo- 
beris, here to answer thee ; for wit thou 
well, sir knight, it was I, and my name 
is Bleoberis de Ganis. W^ell art thou 
met, said Palamides, and wit thou well 
my name is Sir Palamides the Saracen. 
And either of them hated other to the 
death. Sir Palamides, said Ector, wit 
thou well, there is neither thou, nor none 
knight that beareth the life, that slay- 
eth any of our blood, but he shall die 
for it ; therefore, and thou list to fight, 
go seek Sir Launcelot, or Sir Tristram, 
and there shall ye find your match. 
With them have 1 met, said Palamides, 
but I had never no worship of them. 
W^as there never no manner of knight, 
said Sir Ector, but they, that ever 
matched with you? Yes, said Pala- 
mides, there was the third, a good 
knight as any of them, and of his age 
he was the best that ever I found ; for, 
and he might have lived till he had 
been an hardier man, there liveth no 
knight now such, and his name was Sir 
Lamorak de Galis. And as he had 
justed at a tournament, there he over- 
threw me and thirty knights more, and 
there he won the degree. And at his 
departing, there met him Sir Gawaine 
and his brethren, and with great pain 
tliey slew him feloniously, unto all good 
knights' great damage. And when Sir 
Percivale heard that his brother was 
dead, Sir Lamorak, he fell over his horse's 
mane swooning, and there he made the 
greatest dole that ever made knight. 
And when Sir Percivale arose, he said, 
Alas, my good and noble brother Sir 
Lamorak, now shall we never meet, and 
I trow in all the wide world a man 
might not find such a knight as he was 
of his age ; and it is too much to suffer 
the death of our father king Pellinore, 
and now the death of our good brother 
Sir Lamorak. Then in the mean while 
there came a varlet from the court of 



CHAP. Lv. HOW SIR DIN AD AN MOCKED AT ALL LOVERS. 



289 



king Arthur, and told them of the great 
tournament that should be at Lonazep, 
and how these lands, Cornwall, and 
Northgalis, should be against all them 
that would come. 

CHAP. LV. 

How Sir Tristram met with Sir Dinadan, 
and of their devices, and what he said 
to Sir Gawaine's hrethreii. 

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that 
as he rode on hunting he met with Sir 
Dinadan, that was come into that 
countiy to seek Sir Tristram, Then 
Sir Dinadan told Sir Tristram his 
name, but Sir Tristram would not tell 
his name, wherefore Sir Dinadan was 
wroth. For such a foolish knight as 
ye are, said Sir Dinadan, I saw but late 
this day lying by a well, and he fared 
as he slept, and there he lay like a fool 
grinning, and would not speak, and his 
shield lay by him, and his horse stood 
by him, and well I wot he was a lover. 
Ah, fair sir, said Sir Tristram, are 
ye not a lover? Marry, fie on that 
craft, said Sir Dinadan. That is evil 
said, said Sir Tristram, for a knight 
may never be of prowess, but if he be a 
lover. It is well said, said Sir Dina- 
dan : now tell me your name, sith ye be 
a lover, or else I shall do battle with 
you. As for that, said Sir Tristram, it 
is no reason to fight with me but I tell 
you my name : and as for that, my name 
shall ye not wit as at this time. Fie 
for shame, said Dinadan, art thou a 
knight, and darest not tell thy name to 
me ? therefore I will fight with thee. As 
for that, said Sir Tristram, I will be ad- 
vised, for I will not fight but if me list ; 
and if I do battle, said Sir Tristram, ye 
are not able to withstand me. Fie on 
thee, coward, said Sir Dinadan. And 
thus as they hoved still, they saw a 
knight came riding against them. Lo, 
said Sir Tristram, see where cometh a 
knight riding will just with you. Anon 
as Sir Dinadan beheld him, he said. 
That is the same doted knight that I 
saw lie by the well, neither sleeping 
nor waking. Well, said Sir Tristram, I 



know that knight well with the covered 
shield of azure, he is the king's son of 
Northumberland, his name is Epinegris, 
and he is as great a lover as I know, and 
he loveth the king's daughter of Wales, 
a full fair lady. And now I suppose, 
said Sir Tristram, and ye require him 
he will just with you ; and then shall ye 
prove whether a lover be a better knight 
or ye that will not love no lady. Well, 
said Sir Dinadan, now shalt thou see 
what I shall do. Therewithal Sir Dina- 
dan spake on high and said. Sir knight, 
make thee ready to just with me, for it 
is the custom of errant knights one to 
just with other. Sir, said Epinegris, is 
it the rule of you errant knights for 
to make a knight to just will he or 
nill? As for that, said Dinadan, make 
thee ready, for here is for me. And 
therewithal they spurred their horses, 
and met together so hard that Epinegris 
smote down Sir Dinadan. Then Sir 
Tristram rode to Sir Dinadan, and said, 
How now ? me seemeth the lover hath 
well sped. Fie on thee coward, said 
Sir Dinadan, and if thou be a good 
knight revenge me. Nay, said Sir Tris- 
tram, I will not just as at this time, but 
take your horse, and let us go hence. 
Defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from thy 
fellowship, for I never sped well since I 
met with thee. And so they departed. 
Well, said Sir Tristram, peradventure I 
could tell you tidings of Sir Tristram. 
Defend me, said Dinadan, from thy fel- 
lowship, for Sir Tristram were mickle 
the worse and he were in thy company. 
And then they departed. Sir, said Sir 
Tristram, yet it may happen I shall 
meet with you in other places. So rode 
Sir Tristram unto Joyous Card, and 
there he heard in that town great noise 
and cry. What is this noise, said Sir 
Tristram. Sir, said they, here is a 
knight of this castle that hath been 
long among us, and right now he is 
slain with two knights, and for none 
other cause but that our knight said 
that Sir Launcelot were a better knight 
than Sir Gawaine. That was a simple 
cause, said Sir Tristram, for to slay a 
good knight for to say well by his 



19 



29© 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



master. That is little remedy to us, 
said the men of the town, for and Sir 
Launcelot had been here, soon we 
should have been revenged upon the 
false knights. When Sir Tristram heard 
them say so, he sent for his shield and 
for his spear, and lightly within a little 
while he had overtaken them, and bade 
them turn and amend what they had 
misdone. What amends wouldest thou 
have ? said the one knight. And there- 
with they took their course, and either 
met other so hard, that Sir Tristram 
smote down that knight over his horse 
tail. Then the other knight dressed 
him to Sir Tristram; and in the same 
wise he served the other knight. And 
then they gat off their horses as well as 
they might, and dressed their shields 
and swords to do their battle to the 
utterance. Knights, said Sir Tristram, 
ye shall tell me of whence ye are and 
what be your names; for such men ye 
might be ye should hard escape my 
hands; and ye might be such men of 
such a country that for all your evil 
deeds ye should pass quit. Wit thou 
well, sir knight, said they, we fear us 
not to tell thee our names, for my 
name is Sir Agravaine, and my name is 
Gaheris, brethren unto the good knight 
Sir Gawaine, and we be nephews unto 
king Arthur. Well, said Sir Tristram, 
for king Arthur's sake I shall let you 
pass as at this time. But it is shame, 
said Sir Tristram, that Sir Gawaine and 
ye that be come of so great a blood, 
that ye four brethren are so named 
as ye be. For ye be called the great- 
est destroyers and murderers of good 
knights that be now in this realm ; for 
it is but as I heard say, that Sir Ga- 
waine and ye slew among you a better 
knight than ever ye were, that was the 
noble knight Sjr Lamorak de Galis; 
and it had pleased God, said Sir Tris- 
tram, I would I had been by Sir Lamo- 
rak at his death. Then shouldest thou 
have gone the same way, said Sir Ga- 
heris. Fair knight, said Sir Tristram, 
there must have been many more knights 
than ye are. And therewithal Sir Tris- 
tram departed from them toward Joyous 



Gard. And when he was departed they 
took their horses, and the one said to 
the other. We will overtake him and be 
revenged upon him in the despite of Sir 
Lamorak. 

CHAP. LVI. 

How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Agra- 
vaine and Sir Gaheris, and how Sir 
Dinadan was sent for by La Beale 
Isoud. 

So when they had overtaken Sir 
Tristram, Sir Agravaine bade him, Turn, 
traitor knight. That is evil said, said Sir 
Tristram; and therewith he pulled out his 
sword, and smote Sir Agravaine such a 
buffet upon the helm that he tumbled 
down off his horse^ in a swoon, and he 
had a grievous wound. And then he 
turned to Gaheris, and Sir Tristram 
smote his sword and his helm together 
with such a might that Gaheris fell out 
of his saddle ; and so Sir Tristram rode 
unto Joyous Gard, and there he alight 
and unarmed him. So Sir Tristram 
told La Beale Isoud of all his adventure 
as ye have heard tofore. And when she 
heard him tell of Sir Dinadan, Sir, sh? 
said, is not that he that made the song 
by king Mark ? That same is he, said Sir 
Tristram, for he is the best joker and. 
jester, and a noble knight of his hands, 
and the best fellow that I know, and all 
good knights love his fellowship. Alas, 
Sir, said she, why brought ye not him 
with you? Have ye no care, said Sir 
Tristram, for he rideth to seek me in 
this country, and therefore he will not 
away till he have met with me. And 
there Sir Tristram told La Beale Isoud 
how Sir Dinadan held against all lovers. 
Right so there came in a varlet and told 
Sir Tristram how there was come an 
errant knight into the town with such 
colours upori his shield. That is Sir Di- 
nadan, said Sir Tristram. Wit ye what 
ye shall do ? said Sir Tristram ; send ye 
for him, my lady Isoud, and I will not 
be seen, ajid ye shall hear the merriest 
knight that ever ye spake withal, and 
the maddest talker, and I pray you 
heartily that ye make him good ciieer. 
Then anon La Beale Isoud sent into the 



CHAP. LVII. 



HOW DIN AD AN KNEW SIR TRISTRAM. 



291 



town, and prayed Sir Dinadan that he 
would come into the castle and repose 
him there, with a lady. With a good 
will, said Sir Dinadan. And so he 
mounted upon his horse, and rode into 
the castle, and there he alight, and 
was unarmed, and brought into the 
castle. Anon La Beale Isoud came unto 
him, and either saluted other. Then 
she asked him of whence that he was. 
Madam, said Dinadan, I am of the court 
of king Arthur, and knight of the Table 
Round, and my name is Sir Dinadan. 
What do ye in this country? said La 
Beale Isoud. Madam, said he, I seek 
Sir Tristram the good knight, for it was 
told me that he was in this country. 
It may well be, said La Beale Isoud, 
but I am not aware of him. Madam, 
said Dinadan, I marvel of Sir Tris- 
tram and more other lovers, what aileth 
them to be so mad and so sotted upon 
women. Why, said La Beale Isoud, 
are ye a knight and be no lover ? It 
is shame to you : wherefore ye may 
not be called a good knight but if 
ye make a quarrel for a lady. Nay, 
said Sir Dinadan, for the joy of love is 
too short, and the sorrow thereof, and 
what Cometh thereof, dureth over long. 
Ah, said La Beale Isoud, say ye not so, 
for here fast by was the good knight 
Sir Bleoberis, that fought with three 
knights at once for a damsel's sake, and 
he wan her afore the king of Northum- 
berland. It was so, said Sir Dinadan, for 
I know him well for a good knight and 
a noble, and come of noble blood, for 
all be noble knights of whom he is come 
of, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Now 
I pray you, said La Beale Isoud, tell me 
will ye fight for my love with three 
knights that done me great wrong ? and 
in so much as ye be a knight of king 
Arthur's I require you to do battle for 
me. Then Sir Dinadan said, I shall say 
you be as fair a lady as ever I saw any, 
and much fairer than is my lady queen 
Guenever, but, wit ye well at one word, 
I will not fight for you with three 
knights. Heaven defend me. Then 
Isoud laughed, and had good game at 
him. So he had all the cheer that she 



m.ight make him ; and there he lay all 
that night. And on the morn early 
Sir Tristram armed him, and La Beale 
Isoud gave him a good helm ; and then 
he promised her that he would meet 
with Sir Dinadan, and they two would 
ride together unto Lonazep, where the 
tournament should be ; — and there shall 
I make ready for you, where ye shall see 
the tournament. Then departed Sir 
Tristram with two squires that bare his 
shield and his spears that were great 
and long, 

CHAP. LVIL 

How Sir Dinadan met with Sir Tristram, 
and with justing with Sir Palamides 
Sir Dinadan knew him. 

Then after that, Sir Dinadan departed 
and rode his way a great pace until he 
had overtaken Sir Tristram. And when 
Sir Dinadan had overtaken him, he 
knew him anon, and he hated the fellow- 
ship of him above all other knights. 
Ah, said Sir Dinadan, art thou that 
coward knight that I met with yester- 
day, keep thee, for thou shalt just with 
me, maugre thy head. Well, said Sir 
Tiistram, and 1 am loth to just. And 
so they let their horses run, and Sir 
Tristram missed of him a purpose, and 
Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon Sir 
Tristram ; and therewith Sir Dinadan 
dressed him to draw out his sword. 
Not so, said Sir Tristram, why are ye 
so wroth ? I will not fight. Fie on thee, 
coward, said Sir Dinadan, thou shamest 
all knights. As for that, said Sir Tris- 
tram, I care not, for I will wait upon 
you and be under your protection, for 
because ye are so good a knight ye may 
save me. The devil deliver me of thee, 
said Sir Dinadan, for thou art as goodly 
a man of arms and of thy person as 
ever I saw, and the most coward that 
ever I saw. What wilt thou do with 
those great spears that thou carriest 
with thee ? I shall give them, said Sir 
Tristram, to some good knight when 
I come to the tournament : and if I see 
you do best I shall give them to you. 
So thus as they rode talking they saw 
where came an errant knight afore 



19 — 2 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



them, that dressed him to just, Lo, 
said Sir Tristram, yonder is orxC will 
just, now dress thee to him. A shame 
betide thee, said Sir Dinadan. Nay not 
so, said Tristram, for that knight be- 
seemeth a shrew. Then shall I, said 
Sir Dinadan. And so they dressed their 
shields and their spears, and they met 
together so hard that the other knight 
smote down Sir Dinadan from his horse. 
Lo, said Sir Tristram, it had been better 
ye had left. Fie on thee, coward, said 
Sir Dinadan. Then Sir Dinadan started 
up, and gat his sword in his hand, and 
proffered to do battle on foot. Whether 
in love or in wrath, said the other knight. 
Let us do battle in love, said Sir Dinadan. 
What is your name ? said that knight, I 
pray you tell me. Wit ye well my name 
is Sir Dinadan. Ah Dinadan, said that 
knight, and my name is Gareth, the 
youngest brother unto Sir Gawaine. 
Then either made of other great cheer, 
for this Gareth was the best knight of 
all the brethren, and he proved a good 
knight. Then they took their horses, 
and there they spake of Sir Tristram, 
how such a coward he was : and every 
word Sir Tristram heard, and laughed 
them to scorn. Then were they ware 
M^here there came a knight afore them 
well horsed and well armed, and he 
made him ready to just. Fair knights, 
said Sir Tristram, look betwixt you who 
shall just with yonder knight, for I warn 
you I will not have ado with him. 
Then shall I, said Sir Gareth : and so 
they encountered together, and there 
that knight smote down Sir Gareth over 
his horse croup. How now, said Sir 
Tristram unto Sir Dinadan, dress thee 
now, and revenge the good knight 
Gareth. That shall I not, said Sir 
Dinadan, for he hath stricken down a 
much bigger knight than I am. Ah, 
said Sir Tristram, now Sir Dinadan I 
see and feel well your heart faileth you, 
therefore now shall ye see what I shall 
do. And then Sir Tristram hurtled unto 
that knight, and smote him quite from 
his horse. And when Sir Dinadan saw 
that he marvelled greatly : and then he 
deemed that it was Sir Tristram. Then 



this knight that was on foot pulled out his 
sword to do battle. What is your name ? 
said Sir Tristram. Wit ye well, said 
the knight, my name is Sir Palamides. 
What knight hate ye most? said Sir 
Tristram. Sir knight, said he, I hate 
Sir Tristram to the death, for and I may 
meet with him the one of us shall die. 
Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and wit 
ye well that I am Sir Tristram de Liones, 
and now do your worst. When Sir 
Palamides heard him say so he was 
astonished, and then he said thus, I 
pray you. Sir Tristram, forgive me all 
mine evil will, and if I live I shall do 
you service above all other knights that 
be living, and there as I have owed you 
evil will me sore repenteth. I wot not 
what aileth me, for me seemeth that ye 
are a good knight, and none other 
knight that named himself a good 
knight should not hate you ; therefore 
I require you. Sir Tristram, take no 
displeasure at mine unkind words. Sir 
Palamides, said Sir Tristram, ye say 
well, and well I wot ye are a good 
knight, for I have seen you proved, and 
many great enterprises have ye taken 
upon you, and well achieved them ; 
therefore, said Sir Tristram, and ye 
have any evil will to me, now may ye 
right it, for I am ready at your hand. 
Not so, my lord Sir Tristram ; I will do 
you knightly service in all things as ye 
will command. And right so I will 
take you, said Sir Tristram. And so 
they rode forth on their ways, talking of 
many things. O my lord Sir Tristram, 
said Dinadan, foul have ye mocked me, 
for truly I came into this country for 
your sake, and by the advice of my lord 
Sir Launcelot, and yet would not Sir 
Launcelot tell me the certainty of you, 
where I should fmd you. Truly, said 
Sir Tristram, Sir Launcelot wist well 
where I was, for I abode within his 
own castle. 

CHAP. LVin. 

How they approached the castle Lonazep, 
and of other devices of the death of Sir 
Lamorak. 
Thus- they rode until they were ware 



HOW THEY CAME TO HUMBER BANK. 



293 



of the castle Lonazep : and then were 
they ware of four hundred tents and 
pavilions, and marvellous great ordi- 
nance. Truly, said Sir Tristram, yon- 
der I see the greatest ordinance that 
ever I saw. Sir, said Palamides, me 
seemeth there was as great an ordinance 
at the castle of Maidens upon the rock 
where ye won the prize, for I saw my- 
self where ye forjusted thirty knights. 
Sir, said Dinadan, and in Surluse at 
that tournament that Sir Galahalt of 
the Long Isles made, the which there 
dured seven days, was as great a gather- 
ing as is here, for there were many 
nations. Who was the best ? said Sir 
Tristram. Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du 
Lake and the noble knight Sir Lamorak 
de Galis. And Sir Launcelot won the 
degree. I doubt not, said Sir Tristram, 
but he won the degree, so he had not 
been overmatched with many knights. 
And of the death of Sir Lamorak, said 
Sir Tristram, it was over great pity, for 
I dare say he was the cleanest mighted 
man and the best winded of his age 
that was on live, for I knew him that he 
was the biggest knight that ever I met 
withal, but if it were Sir Launcelot. 
Alas, said Sir Tristram, full woe is me 
for his death. And if they were not 
tlie cousins of my lord Arthur that 
slew him, they should die for it, and all 
those that were consenting to his death. 
And for such things, said Sir Tristram, 
I fear to draw unto the court of my 
lord Arthur: I will that ye wit it, 
said Sir Tristram unto Gareth. Sir, I 
blame you not, said Gareth, for well 
I understand the vengeance of my 
brethren Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, 
Gaheris, and Mordred. But as for me, 
said Sir Gareth, I meddle not of their 
matters, therefore is none of them that 
loveth me ; and for I understand they be 
murderers of good knights I left their 
company, and God would I had been by, 
said Gareth, when the noble knight Sir 
Lamorak was slain. Now, truly, said Sir 
Tristram, it is well said of you, for I had 
lever than all the gold betwixt this and 
Rome I had been there. Yea, said Sir Pa- 
lamides, and so would I had been there, 



and yet had I never the degree at no 
justs nor tournament there as he was, 
but he put me to the worse or on foot 
or on horseback, and that day that he 
was slain he did the most deeds of arms 
that ever I saw knight do in all my life 
days. And when him was given the 
degree by my lord Arthur, Sir Gawaine 
and his three brethren, Agravaine, 
Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, set upon Sir 
Lamorak in a privy place, and there 
they slew his horse, and so they fought 
with him on foot more than three hours, 
both before him and behind him ; and 
Sir Mordred gave him his death's wound 
behind him at his back, and all to-hewed 
him : for one of his squires told me 
that saw it. Fie upon treason, said Sir 
Tristram, for it killeth my heart to hear 
this tale. So doth it mine, said Gareth ; 
brethren as they be mine I shall never 
love them, nor draw in their fellowship, 
for that deed. Now speak we of other 
deeds, said Sir Palamides, and let him 
be, for his life ye may not get again. 
That is the more pity, said Dinadan, 
for Sir Gawaine and his brethren, except 
you. Sir Gareth, hate all the good 
knights of the Round Table for the 
most part ; for well I wot, and they 
might privily, they hate my lord Sir 
Launcelot, and all his kin, and great 
privy despite they have at him, and that 
is my lord Sir Launcelot well ware of, 
and that causeth him to have the good 
kpights of his kin about him. 

CHAP. LIX. 

How they came to Humber bank, and how 
they found a ship there, wherein lay the 
body of king Hermance. 

Sir, said Palamides, let us leave off 
this matter, and let us see how we shall 
do at this tournament. By mine advice, 
said Palamides, let us four hold together 
against all that will come. Not by my 
counsel, said Sir Tristram, for I see by 
their pavilions there will be four hun- 
dred knights, and doubt ye not, said 
Sir Tristram, but there will be many 
good knights, and be a man never so 
valiant nor so big yet he may be over- 



294 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



matched. And so have I seen knights 
done many times : and when they wend 
best to have won worship they lost it. 
For manhood is not worth but if it be 
meddled with wisdom : and as for me, 
said Sir Tristram, it may happen I shall 
keep mine own head as well as another. 
So thus they rode until that they came to 
Humber bank, where they heard a cry 
and a doleful noise. Then were they 
ware in the wind where came a rich 
vessel covered over with red silk, and 
the vessel landed fast by them. There- 
with Sir Tristram alight and his knights. 
And so Sir Tristram went afore and en- 
tered into that vessel. And when he 
came within, he saw a fair bed richly 
covered, and thereupon lay a dead 
seemly knight, all armed, save the head 
was all be-bled, with deadly wounds 
upon him: the which seemed to be a 
passing good knight. How may this 
be, said Sir Tristram, that this knight 
is thus slain ? Then Sir Tristram was 
ware of a letter in the dead knight's 
hand. Master mariners, said Sir Tris- 
tram, what meaneth that letter? Sir, 
said they, in that letter ye shall hear 
and know how he was slain, and for 
what cause, and what was his name ; 
but sir, said the mariners, wit ye well 
that no man shall take that letter and 
read it but if he be a good knight, and 
that he v/ill faithfully promise to revenge 
his death, else shall there no knight see 
that letter open. Wit ye well, said 
Sir Tristram, that some of us may re- 
venge his death as well as others, and 
if it be so as ye mariners say, his death 
shall be revenged. And therewith Sir 
Tristram took the letter out of the 
knight's hand ; and it said thus : — Her- 
mance king and lord of the Red City, 
I send unto all knights errant recom- 
mending unto you noble knights of 
Arthur's court, I beseech them all 
among them to find one knight that 
will fight for my sake with two brethren 
that 1 brought up of nought, and felo- 
niously and traitorly they have slain 
me, wherefore I beseech one good 
knight to revenge my death. And he 
that revengeth my death, I will that he 



have my Red City and all my castles. 
Sir, said the mariners, wit ye well this 
king and knight that here lieth was a 
full worshipful man, and of lull great 
prowess, and full well he loved all 
manner of knights errant. Truly, said 
Sir Tristram, here is a piteous case, and 
full fain I would take this enterprise upon 
me, but I have made such a promise 
that needs I must be at this great tour- 
nament or else I am shamed. For well 
I wot for my sake in especial my lord 
Arthur let make this justs and tourna- 
ment in this country ; and well I wot 
that many worshipful people will be 
there at that tournament for to see me. 
Therefore I fear me to take this en- 
terprise upon me, that I shall not come 
again betimes to this justs. Sir, said 
Palamides, I pray you give me this 
enterprise, and ye shall see me achieve 
it worshipfully, or else I shall die in 
this quarrel. Well, said Sir Tristram, 
and this enterprise I give you, with this 
that ye be with me at this tournament, 
that shall be as at this day seven night. 
Sir, said Palamides, I promise you that 
I shall be with you by that day if I be 
unslain or unmaimed. 

CHAP. LX. 

How Sir Tristram with his fellowship 
came and were with an host which 
after fought with Sir Tristram ; and 
other matters. 

Then departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, 
and Sir Dinadan, and left Sir Palamides 
in the vessel ; and so Sir Tristram beheld 
the mariners how they sailed over long 
Humber. And when Sir Palamides was 
out of their sight, they took their horses, 
and beheld about them. And then were 
they ware of a knight that came riding 
against them unarmed, and nothing 
about him but a sword. And when 
this knight came nigh them he saluted 
them, and they him again. Fair knights, 
said that knight, I pray you insomuch 
as ye be knights errant, that ye will 
come and see my castle, and take such 
as ye find there; I pray you heartily. 
And so they rode with him into his 



HOW THEY FOUGHT FOR AN HELM. 



295 



castle ; and there they were brought 
into the hall, that was well apparelled, 
and so they were there unarmed and set 
at a board. And when this knight saw 
Sir Tristram, anon he knew him ; and 
then this knight waxed pale and wroth 
at Sir Tristram. \Vhen Sir Tristram 
saw his host make such cheer, he mar- 
velled and said. Sir, mine host, what 
cheer make you ? Wit thou well, said he, 
I fare the worse for thee, for I know 
thee. Sir Tristram de Liones, thou slewest 
my brother. And therefore I give thee 
summons I will slay thee, and ever I may 
get thee at large. Sir knight, said Sir 
Tristram, I am never advised that ever I 
slew any brother of yours ; and if ye say 
that I did I will make you amends unto 
my power. I will none amends, said 
the knight, but keep thee from me. So 
when he had dined. Sir Tristram asked 
his arms and departed. And so they 
rode on their ways ; and within a little 
while Sir Dinadan saw where came a 
knight well armed, and well horsed, 
without shield. Sir Tristram, said Sir 
Dinadan, take keep to yourself, for I 
undertake yonder cometh your host 
that will have ado with you. Let him 
come, said Sir Tristram, I shall abide 
him as well as I may. Anon the knight, 
when he came nigh Sir Tristram, he 
cried and bade him abide and keep him. 
So they hurtled together, but Sir Tris- 
tram smote the other knight so sore 
that he bare him over his horse croup. 
That knight arose lightly and took his 
horse again, and so rode fiercely to Sir 
Tristram, and smote him twice hard 
upon the helm. Sir knight, said Sir 
Tristram, 1 pray you leave off and smite 
me no more, for I would be loth to deal 
with you and I might choose, for I have 
your meat and your drink within my 
body. For all that he would not leave, 
and then Sir Tristram gave him such a 
buffet upon the helm, that he fell up so 
down from his horse, that the blood 
burst out at the ventails of his helm, 
and so he lay still, likely to have been 
dead. Then Sir Tristram said. Me re- 
penteth sore of this buffet that I smote 
so sore, for as I suppose he is dead. 



And so they left him and rode on 
their ways. So they had not ridden but 
a while, but they saw coming against 
them two full likely knights, well armed 
and well horsed, and goodly servants 
about them. The one was Berrant le 
Apres, and he was called the king with 
the hundred knights, and the other was 
Sir Segwarides, which were renowned 
two noble knights. So as they came 
either by other, the king looked upon 
Sir Dinadan, that at that time had Sir 
Tristram's helm upon his shoulder, the 
which helm the king had seen before 
with the queen of Northgalis, and that 
queen the king loved, and that helm the 
queen of Northgalis had given unto La 
Beale Isoud, and the queen La Beale 
Isoud gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir 
knight, said Berrant, where had ye that 
helm ? What would ye ? said Sir Di- 
nadan. For I will have ado with thee, 
said the king, for the love of her that 
owned that helm, and therefore keep 
you. So they departed and came to- 
gether with all the mights of their 
horses ; and there the king with the 
hundred knights smote Sir Dinadan, 
horse and all, to the earth ; and then he 
commanded his sers-ant, Go and take 
thou his helm off, and keep it. So 
the varlet went to unbuckle his helm. 
What helm ? What wilt thou do ? said 
Sir Tristram ; leave that helm. To what 
intent, said the king, will ye, sir knight, 
meddle with that helm ? Wit you well, 
said Sir Tristram, that helm shall not 
depart from me, or it be dearer bought. 
Then make you ready, said Sir Berrant 
unto Sir Tristram. So they hurtled 
together, and there Sir Tristram smote 
him down over his horse tail. And 
then the king arose lightly, and gat his 
horse lightly again, and then he strake 
fiercely at Sir Tristram many great 
strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave 
Sir Berrant such a buffet upon the 
helm that he fell down over his horse, 
sore stunned. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, 
that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I 
had a fall for it, and now, sir king, 
have ye another fall. Then Segwarides 
asked. Who shall just with me ? I pray 



296 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



BOOK X. 



thee, said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, let 
me have this justs. Sir, said Dinadan, 
I pray you take it as for me. That 
is no reason, said Tristram, for this 
justs should be yours. At a word, said 
Sir Dinadan, I will not thereof. Then 
Gareth dressed him to Sir Segwarides, 
and there Sir Segwarides smote Sir 
Gareth and his horse to the earth. 
Now, said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, 
just with yonder knight. I will not 
thereof, said Dinadan. Then will I, 
said Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tris- 
tram ran to him and gave him a fall, 
and so they left them on foot. And 
Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, 
and there Sir Gareth would not of his 
courtesy have gone into this castle, but 
Sir Tristram would not suffer him to 
depart. And so they alight and un- 
armed them, and had great cheer. But 
when Dinadan came afore La Beale 
Isoud, he cursed the time that ever he 
bare Sir Tristram's helm, and there he 
told her how Sir Tristram had mocked 
him. Then was there laughing and 
jesting at Sir Dinadan, that they wist 
not what to do with him. 

CHAP. LXI. 

How Palamtdes went for to fight ivilb 
two brethren for the death of king 
Hertnance. 

Now will we leave them merry with- 
in Joyous Gard, and speak we of Sir 
Palamides. Then Sir Palamides sailed 
even along Humber to the coasts of the 
sea, where was a fair castle. And at 
that time it was early in the morning 
afore day. Then the mariners went 
unto Sir Palamides, that slept fast. Sir 
knight, said the mariners, ye must 
arise, for here is a castle, there ye must 
go into. I assent me, said Sir Pa- 
lamides. And therewithal he arrived. 
And then he blew his horn, that the 
mariners had given him. And when 
they within the castle heard that horn, 
they put forth many knights, and there 
they stood upon the walls, and said 
with one voice. Welcome be ye to this 
castle. And then it waxed clear day, 



and Sir Palamides entered into the 
castle. And within a while he was 
served with many divers meats. Then 
Sir Palamides heard about him much 
weeping and great dole. What may 
this mean? said Sir Palamides: I love 
not to hear such a sorrow, and fain 
I would know what it meaneth. Then 
there came afore him one whose name 
was Sir Ebel, that said thus. Wit ye 
well, sir knight, this dole and sorrow 
is here made every day, and for this 
cause : we had a king that hight Her- 
mance, and he was king of the Red 
City, and this king that was lord was 
a noble knight, large and liberal of his 
expense. And in the world he loved 
nothing so much as he did errant 
knights of king Arthur's court, and all 
justing, hunting, and all manner of 
knightly games ; for so kind a king and 
knight had never the rule of poor people 
as he was ; and because of his goodness 
and gentleness we bemoan him and ever 
shall. And all kings and estates may 
beware by our lord, for he was destroyed 
in his own default, for had he cherished 
them of his blood he had yet lived with 
great riches and rest ; but all estates 
may beware of our king. But alas, said 
Ebel, that we shall give all other warn- 
ing by his death. Tell me, said Pala- 
mides, in what manner was your lord 
slain, and by whom ? Sir, said Sir Ebel, 
our king brought up of children two men 
that now are perilous knights, and these 
two knights our king had so in charity, 
that he loved no man nor trusted 
no man of his blood, nor none other 
that was about him. And by these two 
knights our king was governed : and so 
they ruled him peaceably, and his lands, 
and never would they suffer none of his 
blood to have no rule with our king. 
And also he was so free and so gentle, 
and they so false and deceivable, that 
they ruled him peaceably ; and that 
esjjied the lords of our king's blood, and 
departed from him unto their own live- 
lihood. Then when these two traitors 
understood that they had driven all 
the lords of his blood from him, they 
were not pleased with that rule, but 



CHAP. Lxii. THE LETTER TELLING OF KING HERMANCE'S DEATH. 



297 



then they thought to have more, as ever 
it is an old saw, Give a churl rule, and 
thereby he will not be sufficed ; for 
whatsoever he be that is ruled by a 
villain born, and the lord of the soil 
to be a gentleman born, the same vil- 
lain shall destroy all the gentlemen 
about him ; therefore all estates and 
lords beware whom ye take about you. 
And if ye be a knight of king Arthur's 
court, remember this tale, for this is the 
end and conclusion. My lord and king 
rode unto the forest hereby, by the ad- 
vice of these false traitors ; and there 
he chased at the red deer, armed at all 
pieces full like a good knight ; and so 
f labour he waxed dry, and then he 
alight and drank at a well ; and when 
he was alight, by the assent of these 
two traitors, that one that hight Helius 
he suddenly smote our king through the 
body with a spear, and so they left him 
there. And when they were departed, 
then by fortune I came to the well, and 
found my lord and king wounded to the 
death. And when I heard his com- 
plaint, I let bring him to the water side, 
and in that same ship I put him alive ; 
and when my lord king Hermance was 
in that vessel, he required me for the 
true faith I owed unto him for to write 
a letter in this manner : — 

CHAP. LXII. 

T^e copy of the letter written for to revenge 
the king's death, and how Sir Palamides 
fought for to have the battle. 

Recommending unto king Arthur and 
to all his knights errant, beseeching 
them all that insomuch as I king Her- 
mance, king of the Red City, thus am 
slain by felony and treason through two 
knights of mine own, and of mine own 
bringing up, and of mine own making, 
that some worshipful knight will revenge 
my death, insomuch I have been ever to 
my power well willing unto Arthur's 
court ; and who that will adventure his 
life with these two traitors for my sake 
in one battle, I king Hermance, king 
of the Red City, freely give him all my 
lands and rents that ever I held in 



my life. This letter, said Ebel, I wrote 
by my lord's commandment ; and then 
he received his Creator, and when he 
was dead he commanded me or ever he 
was cold to put that letter fast in his 
hand ; and then he commanded me to 
put forth that same vessel down Hum- 
ber, and I should give these mariners in 
commandment never to stint until that 
they came unto Logris, where all the 
noble knights shall assemble at this 
time; — And there shall some good knight 
have pity on me to revenge my death, 
for there was never king nor lord 
falselyer ne traitorlyer slain than I am 
here to my death. Thus was the com- 
plaint of our king Hermance. Now, 
said Sir Ebel, ye know all how our lord 
was betrayed, we require you for God's 
sake have pity upon his death, and wor- 
shipfully revenge his death, and then 
may ye hold all these lands. For we 
all wit well that, and ye may slay these 
two traitors, the Red City and all those 
that be therein will take you for their 
lord. Truly, said Sir Palamides, it 
grieveth my heart for to hear you tell 
this doleful tale. And to say the truth, 
I saw the same letter that ye speak of; 
and one of the best knights on the earth 
read that letter to me, and by his com- 
mandment I came hither to revenge 
your king's death ; and therefore have 
done, and let me wit where I shall find 
those traitors, for I shall never be at 
ease in my heart till that I be in hands 
with them. Sir, said Sir Ebel, then 
take your ship again, and that ship 
must bring you unto the Delectable 
Isle, fast by the Red City, and we in 
this castle shall pray for you and abide 
your again-coming ; for this same castle, 
and ye speed well, must needs be yours ; 
for our king Hermance let make this 
castle for the love of the two traitors, 
and so we. kept it with strong hand, 
and therefore full sore are we threated. 
Wot ye what ye shall do, said Sir Pala- 
mides ; Avhatsoever come of me, look ye 
keep well this castle. For, and it mis- 
fortune me so to be slain in this quest, I 
am sure there will come one of the best 
knights of the world for to revenge my 



298 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



death, and that is Sir Tristram de Liones, 
or else Sir Launcelot du Lake. 

Then Sir Palamides departed from 
that castle. And as he came nigh the 
city, there came out of a ship a goodly 
knight armed against him, with his 
shield on his shoulder, and his hand 
upon his sword. And anon as he came 
nigh Sir Palamides he said, Sir knight, 
what seek ye here? Leave this quest, 
for it is mine, and mine it was or ever it 
was yours, and therefore I will have it. 
Sir knight, said Palamides, it may well 
be that this quest was yours or it was 
mine, but when the letter was taken out 
of the dead king's hand, at that time 
by likelihood there was no knight had 
undertaken to revenge the death of the 
king. And so at that time I promised 
to revenge his death. And so I shall, 
or else I am ashamed. Ye say well, 
said the knight, but wit ye well then 
will I fight with you, and who be the 
better knight of us both, let him take 
the battle upon hand. I assent me, 
said Sir Palamides. And then they 
dressed their shields and pulled out 
their swords, and lashed together many 
sad strokes as men of might ; and this 
fighting was more than an hour ; but at 
the last Sir Palamides waxed big and 
better winded, so that then he smote 
that knight such a stroke that he made 
him to kneel upon his knees. Then 
that knight spake on high and said, 
Gentle knight, hold thy hand. Sir 
Palamides was goodly, and withdrew 
his hand. Then this knight said. Wit 
ye well, knight, that thou art better 
worthy to have this battle than I, and 
I require thee of knighthood tell me 
thy name. Sir, my name is Palamides, 
a knight of king Arthur, and of the 
Table Round, that hither I came to 
revenge the death of this dead king. 

CHAP. LXIII. 

Of the preparation of Sir Palamides and 
the two brethre7i that shoidd fight with 
him. 

Well be ye found, said the knight to 
Palamides, for of all knights that be on 



live, except three, I had levest have you. 
The first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the 
second is Sir Tristram de Liones, the 
third is my nigh cousin Sir Lamorak de 
Galis. And I am brother unto king 
Hermance that is dead, and my name 
is Sir Hermind. Ye say well, said Sir 
Palamides, and ye shall see how I shall 
speed. And if I be there slain go ye to 
my lord Sir Launcelot, or else to my 
lord Sir Tristram, and pray them to re- 
venge my death, for as for Sir Lamorak, 
him shall ye never see in this world. 
Alas, said Sir Hermind, how may that 
be? He is slain, said Sir Palamides, 
by Sir Gawaine and his brethren. 
Truly, said Hermind, there was not 
one for one that slew him. That is 
truth, said Sir Palamides, for they were 
four dangerous knights that slew him, 
as Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Ga- 
heris, and Sir Mordred ; but Sir Gareth 
the fifth brother was away, the best 
knight of them all. And so Sir Pala- 
mides told Hermind all the manner, and 
how they slew Sir Lamorak all only 
by treason. So Sir Palamides took his 
ship, and arrived up at the Delectable 
Isle. And in the meanwhile Sir Her- 
mind, that was the king's brother, he ar- 
rived up at the Red City, and there he 
told them how there was come a knight 
of king Arthur's to avenge king Her- 
mance s death ; and his name is Sir 
Palamides the good knight, that for the 
most part he followeth the beast Glati- 
sant. Then all the city made great joy. 
For mickle had they heard of Sir Pala- 
mides, and of his noble prowess. So 
let they ordain a messenger and sent 
unto the two brethren, and bade them 
to make them ready, for there was a 
knight come that would fight with them 
both. So the messenger went unto 
them where they were at a castle there 
beside. And there he told them how 
there was a knight come of king Ar- 
thur's court to fight with them both at 
once. He is welcome, said they. But 
tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir Launce- 
lot, or any of his blood. He is none of 
that blood, said the messenger. Then 
we care the less, said the two brethren, 



CHAP. LXIV. 



HOW SIR PALAMIDES AVENGED HIM. 



299 



for with none of the blood of Sir Laun- 
celot we keep not to have ado withal. 
Wit ye well, said the messenger, that 
his name is Sir Palamides, that yet is 
unchrislened, a noble knight. Well, said 
they, and he be now unchristened he 
shall never be christened. So they ap- 
pointed to be at the city within two 
days. 

And when Sir Palamides was come 
to the city, they made passing great joy 
of him : and then they beheld him and 
saw that he was well made, cleanly and 
bigly, and unmaimed of his limbs, and 
neither too young nor too old ; and so 
all the people praised him. And though 
he was not christened, yet he believed 
in the best manner, and was full faithful 
and true of his promise, and well con- 
ditioned. And because he made his 
avow that he would never be christened 
until the time that he had achieved the 
beast Glatisant, which was a wonderful 
beast, and a great signification, for 
Merlin prophesied much of that beast. 
And also Sir Palamides avowed never 
to take full Christendom unto the time 
that he had done seven battles within 
the lists. So within the third day there 
came to the city these two brethren, 
the one hight Helius, the other hight 
Helake, the which were men of great 
prowess, howbeit that they were false 
and full of treason, and but poor men 
born, yet were they noble knights of their 
hands. And with them they brought 
forty knights to that intent that they 
should be big enough for the Red City. 
Thus came the two brethren with great 
boasting and pride, for they had put the 
Red City in fear and damage. Then 
they were brought to the lists. And 
Sir Palamides came into the place, and 
said thus : Be ye the two brethren, 
Ilelius and Helake, that slew your 
king and lord, Sir Hermance, by 
felony and treason, for whom that I 
am come hither to revenge his death? 
Wit thou well, said Sir Helius and Sir 
Helake, that we are the same knights 
that slew king Hermance. And wit 
thou well Sir Palamides, Saracen, that 
we shall handle thee so or thou depart 



that thou shalt wish that thou werest 
christened. It may well be, said Sir 
Palamides, for yet I would not die or I 
were christened, and yet so am I not 
afeard of you both, but I trust to God 
that I shall die a better christian man 
than any of you both; and doubt ye 
not, said Sir Palamides, either ye or I 
shall be left dead m this place, 

CHAP. LXIV. 

0/ the battle between Sir Palamides atid 
the tivo brethren, and how the two 
brethren were slain. 

Then they departed, and the two 
brethren came against Sir Palamides, 
and he against them, as fast as their 
horses might run. And by fortune Sir 
Palamides smote Helake through his 
shield, and through the breast more 
than a fathom. All this while Sir 
Helius held up his spear, and for pride 
and presumption he would not smite 
Sir Palamides with his spear. But when 
he saw his brother lie on the earth, and 
saw he might not help himself, then he 
said unto Sir Palamides, Help thyself: 
and therewith he came hurtling unto 
Sir Palamides with his spear, and smote 
him quite from his saddle. Then Sir 
Helius rode over Sir Palamides twice or 
thrice. And therewith Sir Palamides 
was ashamed, and gat the horse of Sir 
Helius by the bridle, and therewithal 
the horse areared, and Sir Palamides 
halp after, and so they fell both to the 
earth, but anon Sir Helius start up 
lightly, and there he smote Sir Palamides 
a mighty stroke upon the helm, so that 
he kneeled upon his own knee. Then 
they lashed together many sad strokes, 
and traced and traversed, now backward, 
now sideling, hurtling together like two 
boars, and that same time they fell 
both groveling to the earth. Thus 
they fought still without any reposing 
two hours, and never breathed, and then 
Sir Palamides waxed faint and weary, 
and Sir Helius waxed passing strong, 
and doubled his strokes, and drove Sir 
Palamides overthwart and endlong all 
the field, that they of the city, when they 



30O 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



saw Sir Palamides in this case, they 
wept, and cried, and made great dole, 
and the other party made as great joy. 
Alas, said the men of the city, that this 
noble knight should thus be slain for 
our king's sake. And as they were thus 
weeping and crying, Sir Palamides that 
had suffered an hundred strokes, that 
it was wonder that he stood upon his 
feet, at the last, Sir Palamides beheld 
as he might the common people how 
they wept for him, and then he said 
to himself. Ah, fie for shame. Sir 
Palamides, why hangest thou thy head 
so low ? And therewith he bear up his 
shield, and looked Sir Helius in the 
visage, and he smote him a great stroke 
upon the helm, and after that another and 
another. And then he smote Sir Helius 
with such a might that he fell to the 
earth groveling, and then he rased off his 
helm from his head, and there he smote 
him such a buffet that he departed his 
head from the body. And then were the 
people of the city the joyfullest people 
that might be. So they brought him 
to his lodging with great solemnity, and 
there all the people became his men. 
And then Sir Palamides prayed them all 
to take keep unto all the lordship of 
king Hermance ; — For, fair sirs, wit ye 
well, I may not as at this time abide 
with you, for I must in all haste be with 
my lord king Arthur at the castle of 
Lonazep, the which I have promised. 

Then were the people full heavy at his 
departing. For all that city proffered 
Sir Palamides the third part of their 
goods so that he would abide with them : 
but in no wise as at that time he would 
not abide. And so Sir Palamides de- 
parted. And so he came unto the 
castle, there as Sir Ebel was lieutenant. 
And when they in the castle wist how 
Sir Palamides had sped there was a joy- 
ful company. And so Sir Palamides 
departed, and came to the castle of 
Lonazep. And when he wist that Sir 
Tristram was not there, he took his way 
over Humber, and came unto Joyous 
Gard where as Sir Tristram was, and 
La Beale Isoud. Sir Tristram had com- 
manded that what knight errant came 



within the Joyous Gard, as in the town, 
that they should warn Sir Tristram. 
So there came a man of the town, and 
told Sir Tristram how there was a knight 
in the town a passing goodly man. 
What manner of man is he ? said Sir 
Tristram, and what sign beareth he? 
So the man told Sir Tristram all the 
tokens of him. That is Palamides, said 
Dinadan. It may well be, said Sir 
Tristram : go ye to him, said Sir Tris- 
tram unto Dinadan. So Dinadan went 
unto Sir Palamides, and there either 
made of other great joy, and so they 
lay together that night, and on the 
mom early came Sir Tristram and Sir 
Gareth, and took them in their beds, 
and so they arose and brake their fast. 

CHAP. LXV. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides met 
Bretise Satice Pile, arid how Sir Tris- 
tram and La Beale Isoud went unto 
Lonazep. 

And then Sir Tristram desired Sir 
Palamides to ride into the fields and 
woods ; so they were accorded to repose 
them in the forest. And when they had 
played them a great while, they rode 
unto a fair well, and anon they were 
ware of an armed knight that came 
riding against them, and there either 
saluted other. Then this armed knight 
spake to Sir Tristram, and asked what 
were those knights that were lodged in 
Joyous Gard. I wot not what they are, 
said Sir Tristram. What knights be 
ye, said that knight, for me seemeth 
that ye be no knights errant, because 
ye ride unarmed ? Whether we be 
knights or not, we list not to tell thee 
our name. Wilt thou not tell me thy 
name, said that knight, then keep thee, 
for thou shalt die of my hands. And 
therewith he gat his spear in his hands, 
and wouldhave run Sir Tristram through. 
That saw Sir Palamides, and smote his 
horse traverse in midst of the side, that 
man and horse fell to the earth. And 
therewith Sir Palamides alight, and 
pulled out his sword to have slain him. 
Let be, said Sir Tristram, slay him not. 



CHAP. LXVI. 



HOW THEY WENT TO LONAZEP. 



301 



the knight is but a fool, it were shame 
to slay him. But take away his spear, 
said Sir Tristram, and let him take his 
horse and go where that he will. So 
when this knight arose he groaned sore 
of the fall, and so he took his horse, and 
when he was up, he turned then his 
horse, and required Sir Tristram and 
Sir Palamides to tell him what kniglits 
they were. Now wit ye well, said Sir 
Tristram, that my name is Sir Tristram 
de Liones, and this knight's name is 
Sir Palamides. When he wist what 
they were, he took his horse with the 
spurs because they should not ask him 
his name, and so rode fast away through 
thick and thin. Then came there by 
them a knight with a bended shield of 
azure, whose name was Epinogris, and 
he came toward them a great wallop. 
Whither are ye riding? said Sir Tris- 
tram. My fair lords, said Epinogris, I 
follow the falsest knight that beareth 
the life, wherefore I require tell me 
whether ye saw him, for he beareth a 
shield with a case of red over it. Truly, 
said Tristram, such a knight departed 
from us not a quarter of an hour ago ; 
we pray you tell us his name. Alas, 
said Epinogris, why let ye him escape 
from you, and he is so great a foe unto 
all errant knights : his name is Breuse 
Sance Pite. Ah fie for shame, said Sir 
Palamides, alas that ever he escaped my 
hands, for he is the man in the world 
that I hate most. Then every knight 
made great sorrow to other, and so 
Epinogris departed, and followed the 
chase after him. Then Sir Tristram and 
his three fellows rode unto Joyous Gard, 
and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir 
Palamides of his battle, how he sped at 
the Red City; and as ye have heard 
afore, so was it ended. Truly, said 
Sir Tristram, I am glad ye have well 
sped, for ye have done worshipfully. 
Well, said Sir Tristram, we must for- 
ward to-morn. And then he devised 
how it should be, and Sir Tristram 
devised to send his two pavilions to set 
them fast by the well of Lonazep, — and 
therein shall be the queen La Beale 
Isoud. It is well said, said Sir Dinadan. 



But when Sir Palamides heard of that, 
his heart was ravished out of measure : 
notwithstanding he said but little. So 
when they came to Joyous Gard, Sir 
Palamides would not have gone into the 
castle, but as Sir Tristram took him by 
the finger, and led him into the castle. 
And when Sir Palamides saw La Beale 
Isoud, he was so ravished so that he 
might scarcely speak. So they went 
unto meat, but Palamides might not eat, 
and there was all the cheer that might 
be had. And on the morn they were 
apparelled to ride towards Lonazep. 

So Sir Tristram had three squires, and 
La Beale Isoud had three gentlewomen, 
and both the queen and they were richly 
apparelled ; and other people had they 
none with them, but varlets to bear their 
shields and their spears. And thus they 
rode forth. So as they rode they saw 
afore them a rout of knights : it was 
the knight Galihodin with twenty 
knights with him. Fair fellows, said 
Galihodin, yonder come four knights, 
and a rich and a well fair lady : I am in 
will to take that lady from them. That 
is not of the best counsel, said one of 
Galihodin's men, but send ye to them 
and wit what they will say. And so 
it was done. There came a squire to 
Sir Tristram and asked him whether 
they would just, or else to lose their 
lady? Not so, said Sir Tristram, tell 
your lord, I bid him come as many 
as we be, and win her and take her. 
Sir, said Palamides, and it please you, 
let me have this deed, and I shall 
undertake them all four. I will that 
ye have it, said Sir Tristram, at your 
pleasure. Now go and tell your lord 
Galihodin, that this same knight will 
encounter with him and his fellows. 

CHAP. LXVL 

How Sir Palamides justed with Sir Gali- 
hodin and after with Sir Gawaine, and 
smote them down. 

Then this squire departed and told 
Galihodin, and then he dressed his 
shield, and put forth a spear, and Sir 
Palamides another, and there Sir Pala- 
mides smote Galihodin so hard that he 



302 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



smote both horse and man to the earth. 
And there he had an horrible fall. And 
then came there another knight, and in 
the same wise he served him, and so he 
served the third and the fourth, that he 
smote them over their horse croups : 
and always Sir Palamides' spear was 
whole. Then came six knights more of 
Galihodin's men, and would have been 
avenged upon Sir Palamides. Let be, 
said Sir Galihodin, not so hardy ! None 
of you all meddle with this knight, for 
he is a man of great bounty and honour ; 
and if he would, ye were not able to 
meddle with him. And right so they 
held them still. And ever Sir Palamides 
was ready to just. And when he saw 
they would no more, he rode unto Sir 
Tristram. Right well have ye done, 
said Sir Tristram, and worshipfully have 
ye done as a good knight should. This 
Galihodin was nigh cousin unto Ga- 
lahalt the haut prince. And this Gali- 
hodin was a king within the country of 
Surluse. So as Sir Tristram, Sir Pala- 
mides, and La Beale Isoud rode together, 
they saw afore them four knights, and 
every man had his spear in his hand. 
The first was Sir Gawaine, the second 
Sir Uwaine, the third Sir Sagramor le 
Desirous, and the fourth was Dodinas 
le Savage. When Sir Palamides beheld 
them, that the four knights were ready 
to just, he prayed Sir Tristram to give 
him leave to have ado with them all so 
long as he might hold him on horse- 
back : — And if that I be smitten down, I 
pray you revenge me. Well, said Sir 
Tristram, I will as ye will, and ye are 
not so fain to have worship, but I would 
as fain increase your worship. And 
there withal Sir Gawaine put forth his 
spear, and Sir Palamides another, and 
so they came so eagerly together that 
Sir Palamides smote Sir Gawaine to the 
earth, horse and all; and in the same 
wise he served Uwaine, Sir Dodinas, 
and Sagramor. All these four knights 
Sir Palamides smote down with divers 
spears. And then Sir Tristram departed 
toward Lonazep. And when they were 
departed, then came thither Galihodin 
with his ten knights unto Sir Gawaine, 



and there he told him all how he had 
sped. I marvel, said Sir Gawaine, what 
knights they be that are so arrayed in 
green. And that knight upon the white 
horse smote me down, said Galihodin, 
and my three fellows. And so he did to 
me, said Gawaine, and well I wot, said 
Sir Gawaine, that either he upon the 
white horse is Sir Tristram, or else Sir 
Palamides, and that gaybeseen lady is 
queen Isoud. Thus they talked of one 
thing and of other. And in the mean 
while Sir Tristram passed on, till that 
he came to the well where his two 
pavilions were set, and there they 
alighted, and there they saw many 
pavilions and great array. Then Sir 
Tristram left there Sir Palamides and 
Sir Gareth with La Beale Isoud; and 
Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to 
Lonazep to hearken tidings ; and Sir 
Tristram rode upon Sir Palamides' white 
horse. And when he came into the castle. 
Sir Dinadan heard a great horn blow, 
and to the horn drew many knights. 
Then Sir Tristram asked a knight. What 
meaneth the blast of that horn? Sir, 
said that knight, it is all those that 
shall hold against king Arthur at this 
tournament. The first is the king of 
Ireland, and the king of Surluse, the 
king of Listinoise, the king of Northum- 
berland, and the king of the best part 
of Wales, with many other countries: 
and these draw them to a council, to 
understand what governance they shall 
be of. But the king of Ireland, whose 
name was Marhalt, and father to the 
good knight Sir Marhaus that Sir Tris- 
tram slew, had all the speech, that Sir 
Tristram might hear it. He said : Lords 
and fellows, let us look to ourselves, for 
wit ye well king Arthur is sure of many 
good knights, or else he would not 
with so few knights have ado with us ; 
therefore, by my counsel, let every king 
have a standard and a cognizance by 
himself, that every knight draw to his 
natural lord, and then may every king 
and captain help his knights, if they 
have need. When Sir Tristram had 
heard all their counsel, he rode unto 
king Arthur for to hear of his counsel. 



CHAP, LXVIII, 



OF THE TOURNAMENT OF LONAZEP. 



303 



CHAP. LXVII. 

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship came 
unto the tournament of Lonazep ; and of 
divers Justs and matters. 

But Sir Tristram was not so soon 
come into the place, but Sir Gawaine 
and Sir Galihodin went to king Arthur, 
and told him. That same green knight 
in the green harness, with the white 
horse, smote us two down, and six of 
our fellows, this same day. Well, said 
Arthur; and then he called Sir Tris- 
tram, and asked him what was his 
name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, ye shall 
hold me excused as at this time, for ye 
shall not wit my name. And there Sir 
Tristram returned and rode his way. I 
have marvel, said Arthur, that yonder 
knight will not tell me his jiame, but 
go thou, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and 
pray him to speak with me betwixt us. 
Then Sir Griflet rode after him, and 
overtook him, and said to him that king 
Arthur prayed him for to speak with 
him secretly apart. Upon this cove- 
nant, said Sir Tristram, I will speak 
with him that I will turn again, so that 
ye will ensure me not to desire to hear 
my name. I shall undertake, said Sir 
Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it 
of you. So they rode together until 
they came to king Arthur. Fair sir, 
said king Arthur, what is the cause ye 
will not tell me your name ? Sir, said 
Sir Tristram, without a cause I will not 
hide my name. Upon what party will 
ye hold ? said king Arthur. Truly, my 
lord, said Sir Tristram, I wot not yet on 
what party I will be on until I come to 
the field ; and there as my heart giveth 
me there will I hold : but to-morrow ye 
shall see and prove on what party I 
shall come. And therewithal he re- 
turned and went to his pavilions. And 
upon the morn they armed them all in 
green, and came into the field ; and 
there young knights began to just, and 
did many worshipful deeds. Then spake 
Gareth unto Sir Tristram, and prayed 
him to give him leave to break his 
spear, for him thought shame to bear 
his spear whole again. When Sir Tris- 



tram heard him say so he laughed, and 
said, I pray you, do your best. Then 
Sir Gareth gat a spear, and proffered to 
just. That saw a nephew unto the king 
of the hundred Jvnights, his name was 
Selises, and a good man of arms. So 
this knight Selises then dressed him 
unto Sir Gareth, and they two met to- 
gether so hard that either smote other 
down, horse and all, to the earth ; so 
they were both bruised and hurt, and 
there they lay till the king with the 
hundred knights halp Selises up ; and 
Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides halp up 
Gareth again ; and so they rode with 
Sir Gareth unto their pavilions, and 
then they pulled off his helm. And 
when La Beale Isoud saw Sir Gareth 
bruised in the face, she asked him what 
ailed him. Madam, said Sir Gareth, I 
had a great buffet, and, as I suppose, 
I gave another, but none of my fellows 
would not rescue me. Forsooth, said 
Palamides, it longed not to none of us 
as this day to just, for there have not 
this day justed no proved knights ; and 
needs ye would just, and when the other 
party saw ye preferred yourself to just, 
they sent one to you, a passing good 
knight of his age, for I know him well, 
his name is Selises, and worshipfully ye 
met with him, and neither of you are 
dishonoured ; and therefore refresh your- 
self, that ye may be ready and whole to 
just to-morrow. As for that, said Sir 
Gareth, I shall not fail you, and I may 
bestride my horse. 

CHAP. LXVIII. 

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship 
justed, and of the ?ioble feats that they 
did in that tourneying. 

Now upon what party, said Sir Tris- 
tram, is it best we be withal as to- 
morn? Sir, said Palamides, ye shall 
have mine advice to be against king 
Arthur as to-morn, for on his party will 
be Sir Launcelot, and many good knights 
of his blood with him. And the more 
men of worship that they be, the more 
worship we shall win. That is full 
knightly spoken, said Sir Tristram, and 



304 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



right so as ye counsel me, so will we 
do. So be it, said they all. So that 
night they were lodged with the best. 
And on the morn when it was day, they 
were arrayed in green trappings, shields, 
and spears ; and La Beale Isoud in the 
same colour, and her three damsels. And 
right so these four knights came into 
the field endlong and through. And so 
they led La Beale Isoud thither as she 
should stand and behold all the justs in 
a bay window ; but always she wimpled 
that no man might see her visage. And 
then these three knights rode straight 
unto the party of the king of Scots. 

When king Arthur had seen them do 
all this, he asked Sir Launcelot what 
were these knights and that queen ? Sir, 
said Sir Launcelot, I cannot say you 
in certain, but if Sir Tristram be in this 
country, or Sir Palamides, wit ye well 
it be they in certain, and La Beale 
Isoud. Then Arthur called to him Sir 
Kay, and said. Go lightly and wit how 
many knights there be here lacking of 
the Table Round, for by the sieges thou 
mayest know. So went Sir Kay, and 
saw by the writing in the sieges that 
there lacked ten knights, — And these be 
their names that be not here, Sir Tris- 
tram, Sir Palamides, Sir Percivale, Sir 
Gaheris, Sir Epinogris, Sir Mordred, Sir 
Dinadan, Sir La Cote Male Taile, and 
Sir Pelleas the noble knight. Well, said 
Arthur, some of these I dare undertake 
are here this day against us. Then 
came therein two brethren, cousins unto 
Sir Gawaine, the one hight Sir Edward, 
that other hight Sir Sadok, the which 
were two good knights, and they asked 
of king Arthur that they might have the 
first justs, for they were of Orkney. I 
am pleased, said king Arthur. Then 
Sir Edward encountered with the king 
of Scots, in whose party was Sir Tris- 
tram and Sir Palamides; and Sir Ed- 
ward smote the king of Scots quite 
from his horse ; and Sir Sadok smote 
down the king of North Wales, and 
gave him a wonder great fall, that 
there was a great cry on king Arthur's 
party, and that made Sir Palamides 
passing wroth; and so Sir Palamides 



dressed his shield and his spear, and 
with all his might he met with Sir 
Edward of Orkney, that he smote him 
so hard that his horse might not stand 
on his feet, and so they hurtled to the 
earth : and then with the same spear 
Sir Palamides smote down Sir Sadok 
over his horse croup. Oh, said Arthur, 
what knight is that arrayed all in 
green ? he justeth mightily. Wit you 
well, said Sir Gawaine, he is a good 
knight, and yet shall ye see him just 
better or he depart ; and yet shall ye 
see, said Sir Gawaine, another bigger 
knight in the same colour than he is, for 
that same knight, said Sir Gawaine, that 
smote down right now my two cousins, 
he smote me down within these two 
days, and seven fellows more. This 
meanwhile, as they stood thus talking, 
there came into the place Sir Tristram 
upon a black horse, and or ever he 
stint he smote down with one spear 
four good knights of Orkney, that were 
of the kin of Sir Gawaine; and Sir 
Gareth and Sir Dinadan every each 
of them smote down a good knight. 
Truly, said Arthur, yonder knight upon 
the black horse doth mightily and mar- 
vellously well. Abide you, said Sir 
Gawaine; that knight with the black 
horse began not yet. Then Sir Tris- 
tram made to horse again the two 
kings that Edward and Sadok had un- 
horsed at the beginning. And then Sir 
Tristram drew his sword, and rode into 
the thickest of the press against them 
of Orkney, and there he smote down 
knights, and rashed off helms, and 
pulled away their shields, and hurtled 
down many knights : he fared so that 
Sir Arthur and all knights had great 
marvel, when they saw one knight do 
so great deeds of arms. And Sir Pala- 
mides failed not upon the other side, 
but did so marvellously well that all 
men had wonder. For there king Ar- 
thur likened Sir Tristram, that was on 
the black horse, like to a wood lion, and 
likened Sir Palamides, upon the white 
horse, unto a wood libbard, and Sir 
Gareth and Sir Dinadan unto eager 
wolves. But the custom was such 



CHAP. Lxix. SIR TRISTRAM UNHORSED BY SIR LAUNCELOT. 



305 



among them, that none of the kings 
would help other, but all the fellow- 
ship of every standard to help other as 
they might. But ever Sir Tristram did 
so much deeds of arms that they of 
Orkney waxed weary of him, and so 
withdrew them unto Lonazep. 

CHAP. LXIX. 

How Sir Tristram was unhorsed and 
smitten down by Sir Launcelot, and 
after that Sir Tristram smote down 
Icing Arthur. 

Then was the cry of heralds and all 
manner of common people, The green 
knight hath done marvellously, and 
beaten all them of Orkney. And there 
the heralds numbered that Sir Tristram, 
that sat upon the black horse, had 
smitten down twenty knights; and Sir 
Palamides had smitten down twenty 
knights ; and the most part of these 
fifty knights were of the house of king 
Arthur, and proved knights. Truly, 
said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, this is 
a great shame to us to see four knights 
beat so many knights of mine ; and 
therefore make you ready, for we will 
have ado with them. Sir, said Sir Laun- 
celot, wit ye well that there are two 
passing good knights, and great worship 
were it not to us now to have ado with 
them, for they have this day sore tra- 
vailed. As for that, said Arthur, I will 
be avenged, and therefore take with 
you Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector, and I 
will be the fourth, said Arthur. Sir, said 
Launcelot, ye shall find me ready, and 
my brother Sir Ector, and my cousin 
Sir Bleoberis. And so when they were 
ready and on horseback, Now choose, 
said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, with 
whom that ye will encounter withal. 
Sir, said Launcelot, I will meet with the 
green knight upon the black horse (that 
was Sir Tristram), and my cousin Sir 
Bleoberis shall match the green knight 
upon the white horse (that was Sir Pa- 
lamides), and my brother Sir Ector 
shall match with the green knight upon 
the white horse (that was Sir Gareth). 
Then must I, said Sir Arthur, have ado 



with the green knight upon the grisled 
horse (and that was Sir Dinadan). Now 
every man take heed to his fellow, said 
Sir Launcelot. And so they trotted on 
together; and there encountered Sir 
Launcelot against Sir Tristram. So Sir 
Launcelot smote Sir Tristram so sore 
upon the shield that he bare horse and 
man to the earth : but Sir Launcelot 
wend it had been Sir Palamides, and so 
he passed forth. And then Sir Bleoberis 
encountered with Sir Palamides, and 
he smote him so hard upon the shield 
that Sir Palamides and his white horse 
rustled to the earth. Then Sir Ector , 
de Maris smote Sir Garelh so hard that ! 
down he fell off his horse. And the | 
noble king Arthur encountered with | 
Sir Dinadan, and he smote him quite j 
from his saddle. And then the noise 
turned awhile how the green knights 
were slain down. When the king of 
Northgalis saw that Sir Tristram had 
a fall, then he remembered him how 
great deeds of aims Sir Tristram had 
done. Then he made ready many 
knights, for the custom and cry was 
such, that what knight were smitten 
down, and might not be horsed again 
by his fellows, or by his own strength, 
that as that day he should be prisoner 
unto the party that had smitten him 
down. So came in the king of North- 
galis, and he rode straight unto Sir 
Tristram. And when he came nigh 
him he alight down suddenly, and be- 
took Sir Tristram his horse, and said 
thus : Noble knight, I know thee not 
of what country thou art, but for the 
noble deeds that thou hast done this 
day take there my horse, and let me 
do as well as I may; for truly thou 
art better worthy to have mine horse 
than I myself Gramercy, said Sir Tris- 
tram, and if I may I shall requite }'0u. 
Look that ye go not far from us, and, 
as I suppose, 1 shall win you another 
horse. And therewith Sir Tristram 
mounted upon his horse, and there he 
met with king Arthur, and he gave him 
such a buffet upon the helm with his 
sword that king Arthur had no power 
to keep his saddle. And then Sir Tris- 



3o6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



tram gave the king of Northgalis king 
Arthur's horse. Then was there great 
press about king Arthur for to horse 
him again. But Sir Palamides would 
not suffer king Arthur to be horsed 
again: but ever Sir Palamides smote 
on the right hand and on the left 
hand mightily as a noble knight. And 
this mean while Sir Tristram rode 
through the thickest of the press, and 
smote down knights on the right and 
on the left hand, and rased off helms, 
and so passed forth unto his pavilions, 
and left Sir Palamides on foot. And 
Sir Tristram changed his horse, and 
disguised himself all in red, horse and 
harness. 

CHAP. LXX. 
IIow Sir Tristram changed his harness 
and it was all red, and how he de- 
meaned him, and how Sir Palainides 
slew Latincelot's horse. 

And when the queen La Beale Isoud 
saw that Sir Tristram was unhorsed, 
and she wist not where he was, then 
she wept greatly. But Sir Tristram, 
when he was ready, came dashing lightly 
into the field, and then La Beale Isoud 
espied him. And so he did great deeds 
of arms, with one spear that was great 
Sir Tristram smote down five knights 
or ever he stint. Then Sir Launcelot 
espied him readily that it was Sir Tris- 
tram, and then he repented him that 
he had smitten him down. And so Sir 
Launcelot went out of the press to re- 
pose him, and lightly he came again. 
And now when Sir Tristram came unto 
the press, through his great force he 
put Sir Palamides upon his horse, and 
Sir Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and then 
they began to do marvellously. But 
Sir Palamides nor none of his two fel- 
lows knew not who had holpen them 
on horseback again. But ever Sir Tris- 
tram was nigh them and succoured 
them, and they riot him, because he 
was changed into red armour. And all 
this while Sir Launcelot was away. So 
when La Beale Isoud knew Sir Tris- 
tram again upon his horse back she was 
passing glad, and then she laughed and 



made good cheer. And as it happened 
Sir Palamides looked up toward her, 
where she lay in the window, and he 
espied how she laughed : and there- 
with he took such a rejoicing that 
he smote down, what with his spear 
and with his sword, all that ever he 
met ; for through the sight of her he was 
so enamoured in her love, that he seemed 
at that time that, and both Sir Tristram 
and Sir Launcelot had been both against 
him, they should have won no worship 
of him. And in his heart, as the book 
saith. Sir Palamides wished that with 
his worship he might have ado with 
Sir Tristram before all men because of 
La Beale Isoud. Then Sir Palamides 
began to double his strength, and he 
did so marvellously that all men had 
wonder of him. And ever he cast up 
his eye unto La Beale Isoud, and when 
he saw her make such cheer he fared 
like a lion, that there might no man 
withstand him. And then Sir Tristram 
beheld him how that Sir Palamides 
bestirred him, and then he said unto 
Sir Dinadan, Truly, Sir Palamides is a 
passing good knight, and a "vvell endur- 
ing: but such deeds saw I him never 
do, nor never heard I tell that ever he 
did so much in one day. It is his day, 
said Sir Dinadan : and he would say no 
more unto Sir Tristram ; but to himself 
he said. And if ye knew for whose love 
he doth all these deeds of arms, soon 
would Sir Tristram abate his courage. 
Alas, said Sir Tristram, that Sir Pala- 
mides is not christened. So said king 
Arthur, and so said all those that be- 
held him. Then all people gave him 
the prize as for the best knight that 
day, that he passed Sir Launcelot or 
Sir Tristram. Well, said Dinadan to 
himself, all this worship that Sir Pala- 
mides hath here this day, he may thank 
the queen Isoud ; for had she been 
away this day. Sir Palamides had not 
gotten the prize this day. 

Right so came into the field Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, and saw and heard the 
noise and cry and the great worship 
that Sir Palamides had. He dressed 
him against Sir Palamides with a great 



CHAP. LXXI. 



SIR PAL AMIDES WINS THE PRIZE. 



307 



mighty spear, and a long, and thought 
to smite him down. And when Sir Pa- 
lamides saw Sir Launcelot come upon 
him so fast, he ran upon Sir Launcelot 
as fast with his sword as he might. And 
as Sir Launcelot should have stricken 
him he smote his spear on side, and 
smote it a two with his sword. And Sir 
Palamides rashed unto Sir Launcelot and 
thought to have put him to a shame, 
and with his sword he smote his horse's 
neck that Sir Launcelot rode upon, and 
then Sir Launcelot fell to the earth. 
Then was the cry huge and great ; — See 
how Sir Palamides the Saracen hath 
smitten down Sir Launcelot's horse. 
Right then were there many knights 
wroth with Sir Palamides, because he 
had done that deed. Therefore many 
knights held there against that it was 
unknightly done in a tournament to kill 
a horse wilfully, but that it had been 
done in plain battle, life for life. 

CHAP. LXXL 

How Sir Lauticelot said to Sir Palamides, 
and how the prize of that day was given 
unto Sir Palamides. 

When Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir 
Launcelot his brother have such a 
despite, and so set on foot, then he gat 
a spear eagerly and ran against Sir 
Palamides, and he smote him so hard 
that he bare him quite from his horse. 
That saw Sir Tristram that was in red 
harness, and he smote down Sir Ector 
de Maris quite from his horse. Then 
Sir Launcelot dressed his shield upon 
his shoulder, and with his sword naked 
in his hand, and so came straight upon 
Sir Palamides fiercely, and said, Wit 
thou well, thou hast done me this day 
the greatest despite that ever any wor- 
shipful knight did to me in tournament 
or in justs, and therefore I will be 
avenged upon thee, therefore take keep 
to yourself. Ah mercy, noble knight, 
said Palamides, and forgive me mine 
unkindly deeds, for I have no power 
nor might to withstand you. And I 
have done so much this day, that well 
I wot I did never so much nor never 



shall in my life days. And therefore, 
most noble knight, I require thee spare 
me as at this day, and I promise you 
I shall ever be your knight while I 
live. And ye put me from my worship 
now, ye put me from the greatest wor- 
ship that ever 1 had, or ever shall have, 
in my life days. Well, said Sir Launce- 
lot, I see, for to say the sooth, ye have 
done marvellously well this day, and 
I understand a part for whose love ye 
do it, and well I wot that love is a 
great mistress. And if my lady were 
here as she is not, wit you well that ye 
should not bear away the worship. But 
beware your love be not discovered; 
for and Sir Tristram may know it ye 
will repent it. And since my quarrel 
is not here, ye shall have this day the 
worship as for me ; considering the 
great travail and pain that ye have had 
this day, it were no worship for me to 
put you from it. And therewithal Sir 
Launcelot suffered Sir Palamides to 
depart. Then Sir Launcelot by great 
force and might gat his own horse, 
maugre twenty knights. So when Sir 
Launcelot was horsed he did many 
marvels, and so did Sir Tristram, and 
Sir Palamides in likewise. Then Sir 
Launcelot smote down with a spear 
Sir Dinadan, and the king of Scotland, 
and the king of Wales, and the king of 
Northumberland, and the king of Lis- 
tinoise. So then Sir Launcelot and his 
fellows smote down well a forty knights. 
Then came the king of Ireland and the 
king of the Straight Marches to rescue 
Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides. There 
began a great meddle, and many 
knights there were smitten down on 
both parties, and always Sir Launcelot 
spared Sir Tristram, and he spared him. 
And Sir Palamides would not meddle 
with Sir Launcelot. And so there was 
hurtling here and there. And then 
king Arthur sent out many knights of 
the Table Round. And Sir Palamides 
was ever in the foremost front. And 
Sir Tristram did so strongly well that 
the king and all other had marvel. 
And then the king let blow to lodg- 
ing. And because Sir Palamides began 



3o8 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



first, and never he went nor rode out 
of the field to repose, but ever he was 
doing marvellously well, either on foot 
or on horseback, and longest enduring, 
king Arthur and all the kings gave 
Sir Palamides the "honour and the 
gree as for that day. Then Sir Tris- 
tram commanded Sir Dinadan to fetch 
the queen La Beale Isoud, and bring 
her to his two pavilions that stood by 
the well. And so Dinadan did as he 
was commanded. But when Sir Pala- 
mides understood and wist that Sir 
Tristram was in the red armour, and on 
the red horse, wit ye well that he was 
glad, and so was Sir Garcth, and Sir 
Dinadan. For they all wend that Sir 
Tristram had been taken prisoner. 

And then every knight drew to his 
inn. And then king Arthur and every 
knight spake of those knights. But 
above all men they gave Sir Palamides 
the prize, and all knights that knew Sir 
Palamides had wonder of his deeds. 
Sir, said Sir Launcelot unto Arthur, as 
for Sir Palamides, and he be the green 
knight, I dare say as for this day he is 
best worthy to have the degree, for he 
reposed him never, ne never changed 
his weeds. And he began first and 
longest held on. And yet well I wot, 
said Sir Launcelot, that there was a 
better knight than he, and that shall be 
proved or we depart, upon pain of my 
life. Thus they talked on either party, 
and so Sir Dinadan railed with Sir 
Tristram and said, What the devil is 
upon thee this day, for Sir Palamides' 
strength feebled never this day, but ever 
he doubled his strength. 

CHAP. Lxxn. 

How Sir Dinadan provoked Sir Tristram 
to do well. 

And thou Sir Tristram faredst all this 
day as though thou hadst been asleep, 
and therefore I call thee coward. Well, 
Dinadan, said Sir Tristram, I was never 
called coward or now, of none earthly 
knight, in my life : and, wit thou well, 
sir, I call myself never the more coward 
though Sir Launcelot gave me a fall, 



for I outcept him of all knights. And 
doubt ye not. Sir Dinadan, and Sir 
Launcelot have a quarrel good, he is too 
over good for any knight that noAV is 
living; and yet of his sufferance, largesse, 
bounty, and courtesy, I call him knight 
peerless. And so Sir Tristram was in 
manner wroth with Sir Dinadan. But 
all this language Sir Dinadan said be- 
cause he would anger Sir Tristram, for 
to cause him to awake his spirits, and 
to be wroth. For well knew Sir Dinadan 
that and Sir Tristram were thoroughly 
wroth, Sir Palamides should not get the 
prize upon the morn. And for this 
intent Sir Dinadan said all this railing 
and language against Sir Tristram. 
Truly, said Sir Palamides, as for Sir 
Launcelot, of his noble knighthood, 
courtesy, and prowess, and gentleness, 
I know not his peer : for this day, 
said Sir Palamides, I did full uncour- 
teously unto Sir Launcelot, and full 
unknightly, and full knightly and cour- 
teously he did to me again : for and he 
had been as ungentle to me as I was to 
him, this day I had won no worship. 
And therefore, said Palamides, I shall 
be Sir Launcelot's knight whiles my 
life lasteth. This talking was in the 
houses of kings. But all kings, lords, 
and knights said, of clear knighthood 
and pure strength, of bounty, and cour- 
tesy, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram 
bare the prize above all knights that 
ever were in Arthur's days. And there 
were never knights in Arthur's days 
did half so many deeds as they did : 
as the book saith, no ten knights did 
not half the deeds that they did; and 
there was never knight in their days 
that required Sir Launcelot or Sir Tris- 
tram of any quest, so it were not to 
their shame, but they performed their 
desire. 

GHAP. LXXIIL 
How king Arthur and Sir Lauficelot came 
to see La Beale Isoud, and how Pala- 
mides smote down king Arthur. 
So on the morn Sir Launcelot de- 
parted, and Sir Tristram was ready, and 
La Beale Isoud with Sir Palamides and 



CHAP. LXXin. 



PALAMIDES SMITES DOWN ARTHUR. 



309 



Sir Gareth. And so they rode all in 
green, full freshly beseen, unto the forest. 
And Sir Tristram left Sir Dinadan sleep- 
ing in his bed. And so as they rode, it 
happed the king and Launcelot stood in 
a window, and saw Sir Tristram ride 
and Isoud. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, 
yonder rideth the fairest lady of the 
world, except your queen dame Guene- 
ver. Who is that ? said Sir Arthur. Sir, 
said he, it is queen Isoud, that, out- 
taken my lady your queen, she is match- 
less. Take your horse, said Arthur, and 
an-ay you at all rights, as I will do, and 
I promise you, said the king, I Avill see 
her. Then anon they were armed and 
horsed, and either took a spear and rode 
unto the forest. Sir, said Launcelot, it 
is not good that ye go too nigh them, 
for wit ye well there are two as good 
knights as now are living; and there- 
fore. Sir, I pray you be not too hasty. 
For peradventure there will be some 
knights be displeased and we come 
suddenly upon them. As for that, said 
Arthur, I will see her, for I take no 
force whom I grieve. Sir, said Laun- 
celot, ye put yourself in great jeopardy. 
As for that, said the king, we will take 
the adventure. Right so anon the king 
rode even to her, and saluted her, and 
said, God you save. Sir, said she, ye 
are welcome. Then the king beheld 
her, and liked her wonderly well. With 
that came Sir Palamides unto Arthur and 
said, Uncourteous knight, what seeketh 
thou here? Thou art uncourteous, to 
come upon a lady thus suddenly ; there- 
fore withdraw thee. Sir Arthur took 
none heed of Sir Palamides' words, but 
ever he looked still upon queen Isoud. 
Then was Sir Palamides wroth, and 
therewith he took a spear and came 
hurtling upon king Arthur, and smote 
him down with a spear. When Sir 
Launcelot saw that despite of Sir Pala- 
mides, he said to himself, I am loth to 
have ado with yonder knight, and not 
for his own sake but for Sir Tristram. 
And one thing I am sure of, if I smite 
down Sir Palamides I must have ado 
with Sir Tristram, and that were over 
much for me to match them both, for 



they are two noble knights : notwith- 
standing, whether I live or die, needs 
must I revenge my lord, and so will I 
whatsoever befal of me. And there- 
with Sir Launcelot cried to Sir Pala- 
mides, Keep thee from me ! And then 
Sir Launcelot and Sir Palamides rashed 
together with two spears strongly. But 
Sir Launcelot smote Sir Palamides so 
hard that he went quite out of his sad- 
dle, and had a great fall. When Sir 
Tristram saw Sir Palamides have that 
fall, he said to Sir Launcelot, Sir knight 
keep thee, for I must just with thee. 
As for to just with me, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I will not fail you for no dread I 
have of you, but 1 am loth to have ado 
with you and I might choose : for I will 
that ye wit that I must revenge my 
special lord, that was unhorsed unwarily 
and unknightly. And therefore, though 
I have revenged that fall, take ye no 
displeasure therein, for he is to me such 
a friend that I may not see him shamed. 
Anon Sir Tristram imderstood by his 
person and by his knightly words that 
it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, and 
verily Sir Tristram deemed that it was 
king Arthur, he that Sir Palamides had 
smitten down. 

And then Sir Tristram put his spear 
from him, and put Sir Palamides again 
on horseback ; and Sir Launcelot put 
king Arthur on horseback, and so de- 
parted. Truly, said Sir Tristram imto 
Palamides, ye did not worshipfully 
when ye smote down that knight so 
suddenly as ye did. And wit ye well 
ye did yourself great shame : for the 
knights came hither of their gentle- 
ness to see a fair lady, and that is every 
good knight's part to behold a fair 
lady, and ye had not ado to play such 
masteries afore my lady. Wit thou well 
it will turn to anger, for he that ye 
smote down was king Arthur, and that 
other was the good knight Sir Launce- 
lot. But I shall not forget the words of 
Sir Launcelot, when that he called him 
a man of great worship : thereby I wist 
that it was king Arthur. And as for 
Sir Launcelot, and there had been five 
hundred knights in the meadow he would 



3IO 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



not have refused them, and yet he said 
he would refuse me : by that again I 
wist that it was Sir Launcelot, for ever 
he forbeareth me in every place, and 
sheweth me great kindness ; and of all 
knights — I out-take none, say what men 
will say — he beareth the flower of all 
chivalry, say it him whosoever will, and 
he be well angered, and that him list to 
do his utterance without any favour, I 
know him not on live but Sir Launcelot 
is over hard for him, be it on horseback 
or on foot. I may never believe, said Sir 
Palamides, that king Arthur will ride so 
privily as a poor errant knight. Ah, 
said Sir Tristram, ye know not my lord 
Arthur, for all knights may learn to be 
a knight of him. And therefore ye may 
be sorry, said Sir Tristram, of your un- 
kindly deeds to so noble a king. And 
a thing that is done may not be undone, 
said Sir Palamides. Then Sir Tristram 
sent queen Isoud imto her lodging in 
the priory, there to behold all the tour- 
nament. 

CHAP. LXXIV. 
How the second day Palainides forsook Sir 

Tristram, and luent to the contrary part 

against him. 

Then there was a cry unto all knights, 
that when they heard an horn blow they 
should make justs as they did the first 
day. And like as the brethren Sir 
Edward and Sir Sadok began the justs 
the first day. Sir Uwaine, the king's son 
Urein, and Sir Lucanere de Buttelere, 
began the justs the second day. And 
at the first encounter Sir Uwaine smote 
down the king's son of Scots, and Sir 
Lucanere ran against the king of Wales, 
and they brake their spears all to pieces, 
and they were so fierce both, that they 
hurtled together that both fell to the 
earth. Then they of Orkney horsed 
again Sir Lucanere. And then came 
in Sir Tristram de Liones ; and then 
Sir Tristram smote down Sir Uwaine 
and Sir Lucanere ; and Sir Palamides 
smote down other two knights; and 
Sir Gareth smote down other two 
knights. Then said Sir Arthur unto Sir 
Launcelot, See yonder three knights do 



passing well, and namely the first that 
justed. Sir, said Launcelot, that knight 
began not yet, but ye shall see him this 
day do mai-vellously. And then came 
into the place the duke's son of Orkney, 
and then they began to do many deeds 
of arms, \\hen Sir Tristram saw them 
so begin, he said to Palamides, How 
feel ye yourself ? may ye do this day as 
ye did yesterday ? Nay, said Palamides, 
I feel myself so weary and so sore 
bruised of the deeds of yesterday, that 
I may not endure as I did yesterday. 
That me repenteth, said Sir Tristram, 
for 1 shall lack you this day. Sir 
Palamides said. Trust not to me, for I 
may not do as I did. All these words 
said Palamides for to beguile Sir Tris- 
tram. Sir, said Sir Tristram imto Sir 
Gareth, then must I trust upon you ; 
wherefore I pray you be not far from 
me to rescue me. And need be, said 
Gareth, I shall not fail you in all that I 
may do. 

Then Sir Palamides rode by himself, 
and then in despite of Sir Tristram he 
put himself in the thickest press among 
them of Orkney : and there he did so 
marvellous deeds of arms that all men 
had wonder of him, for there might none 
stand him a stroke. When Sir Tristram 
saw Sir Palamides do such deeds he 
marvelled, and said to himself. He is 
weary of my company. So Sir Tristram 
beheld him a great while, and did but 
little else, for the noise and cry was so 
huge and great that Sir Tristram mar- 
velled from whence came the strength 
that Sir Palamides had there in the field. 
Sir, said Sir Gareth unto Sir Tristram, 
remember ye not of the words that Sir 
Dinadan said to you yesterday, when he 
called you coward ? For sooth. Sir, he 
said it for none ill ; for ye are the man 
in the world that he most loveth, and 
all that he said was for your worship. 
And therefore, said Sir Gareth to Sir 
Tristram, let me know this day what ye 
be ; and wonder ye not so upon Sir 
Palamides, for he enforceth himself to 
win all the worship and honour from 
you. I may well believe it, said Sir 
Tristram, and since I understand his 



CHAP. LXXV. 



THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. 



311 



evil will and his envy ye shall see, if 
that I enforce myself, that the noise 
shall be left that now is upon him. 

Then Sir Tristram rode into the 
thickest of the press, and then he did 
so marvellously well, and did so great 
deeds of arms, that all men said that 
Sir Tristram did double so much deeds 
of arms that Sir Palamides had done 
aforehand. And then the noise went 
plain from Sir Palamides, and all the 
people cried upon Sir Tristram, See, 
said the people, how Sir Tristram 
smiteth down with his spear so many 
knights. And see, said they all, how 
many knights he smiteth down with his 
sword, and of how many knights he 
rashed off their helms and their shields. 
And so he beat them all of Orkney 
afore him. How now, said Sir Laun- 
celot unto king Arthur, I told you that 
this day there would a knight play his 
pageant. Yonder rideth a knight ye 
may see he doth knightly, for he hath 
strength and wind. Truly, said Arthur 
to Launcelot, ye say sooth, for I saw 
never a better knight, for he passeth 
far Sir Palamides. Sir, wit ye well, 
said Launcelot, it must be so of right, 
for it is himself that noble knight Sir 
Tristram. I may right well believe it, 
said Arthur. But when Sir Palamides 
heard the noise and the cry was 
turned from him he rode out on a part, 
and beheld Sir Tristram. And when Sir 
Palamides saw Sir Tristram do so mar- 
vellously well, he wept passingly sore 
for despite, for he wist well he should 
no worship win that day. For well 
knew Sir Palamides, when Sir Tristram 
would put forth his strength and his 
manhood, he should get but little wor- 
ship that day. 

CHAP. LXXV. 

How Sir Tristram departed out of the 
field, and aiua'ked Sir Dinadan, and 
changed his array into black. 

Then came king Arthur, and the king 
of Northgalis, and Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, and Sir Bleoberis, Sir Bors de 
Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, these three 



knights came into the field with Sir 
Launcelot. And then Sir Launcelot with 
the three knights of his kin did so 
great deeds of arms, that all the noise 
began upon Sir Launcelot. And so 
they beat the king of Wales and the 
king of Scots far aback, and made 
them to avoid the field. But Sir Tris- 
tram and Sir Gareth abode still in the 
field, and endured all that ever there 
came, that all men had wonder that any 
knight might endure so many strokes. 
But ever Sir Launcelot and his three 
kinsmen, by the commandment of Sir 
Launcelot, forbare Sir Tristram. Then 
said Sir Arthur, Is that Sir Palamides 
that endureth so well? Nay, said Sir 
Launcelot, wit ye well it is the good 
knight Sir Tristram, for yonder ye may 
see Sir Palamides beholdeth, and hoveth, 
and doth little or nought. And, sir, 
ye shall understand that Sir Tristram 
weeneth this day to beat us all out of 
the field. And as for me, said Sir 
Launcelot, I shall not beat him, beat 
him who so will. Sir, said Launcelot 
unto Arthur, ye may see how Sir Pala- 
mides hoveth yonder as though he were 
in a dream ; wit ye well he is full heavy 
that Tristram doth such deeds of arms. 
Then is he but a fool, said Arthur, for 
never was Sir Palamides, nor never shall 
be, of such prowess as Sir Tristram. 
And if he have any envy at Sir Tristram, 
and Cometh in with him upon his side, 
he is a false knight. As the king and 
Sir Launcelot thus spake. Sir Tristram 
rode privily out of the press, that none 
espied him but La Beale Isoud and Sir 
Palamides, for they two would not let 
of their eyes upon Sir Tristram. 

And when Sir Tristram came to his 
pavilions, he found Sir Dinadan in his 
bed asleep. Awake, said Tristram, ye 
ought to be ashamed so to sleep, when 
knights have ado in the field. Then Sir 
Dinadan arose lightly, and said. What 
will ye that I shall do? Make you 
ready, said Sir Tristram, to ride with 
me into the field. So when Sir Dinadan 
was armed he looked upon Sir Tris- 
tram's helm and on his shield, and 
when he saw so many strokes upon his 



312 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



helm and upon his shield, he said, In 
good time was I thus asleep ; for had I 
been with you I must needs for shame 
there have followed you, more for shame 
than any prowess that is in me, that 
I see well now by those strokes, that I 
should have been truly beaten as I was 
yesterday. Leave your jests, said Sir 
Tristram, and come off, that we were 
in the field again. What, said Sir 
Dinadan, is your heart up ? Yesterday 
ye fared as though ye had dreamed. So 
then Sir Tristram was arrayed in black 
harness. Oh, said Sir Dinadan, what 
aileth you this day? me seemeth ye 
be wilder than ye were yesterday. 
Then smiled Sir Tristram, and said to 
Dinadan, Await well upon me : if ye 
see me over-matched look that ye be 
, ever behind me, and I shall make you 
! ready way. So Sir Tristram and Sir 
Dinadan took their horses. All this 
espied Sir Palamides, both their going 
and their coming, and so did La Beale 
Isoud, for she knew Sir Tristram above 
all other. 

CHAP. LXXVI. 

How Sir Palamides changed his shield 
and his armour for to hvrt Sir Tris- 
tram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir 
Tristram. 

Then when Sir Palamides saw that 
Sir Tristram was disguised, then he 
thought to do him a shame. So Sir 
Palamides rode to a knight that was 
sore wounded, that sat under a fair 
well from the field. Sir knight, said 
Sir Palamides, I pray you to lend me 
your armour and your shield, for 
mine is over well known in this field, 
and that hath done me great damage, 
and ye shall have mine armour and 
my shield, that is as sure as yours. I 
will well, said the knight, that ye have 
mine armour and my shield, if they may 
do you any avail. So Sir Palamides 
armed him hastily in that knight's ar- 
mour, and his shield that shone as any 
crystal or silver, and so he came riding 
into the field. And then there w^as 
neither Sir Tristram nor none of king 
Arthur's party that knew Sir Palamides. 



And right so as Sir Palamides was 
come into the field Sir Tristram smote 
down three knights, even in the sight of 
Sir Palamides. And then Sir Palamides 
rode against Sir Tristram, and either 
met other with great spears, that they 
brast to their hands. And then they 
dashed together with swords eagerly. 
Then Sir Tristram had marvel what 
knight he was that did battle so knightly 
with him. Then was Sir Tristram 
wroth, for he felt him passing strong, 
so that he deemed he might not have 
ado with the remnant of the knights, 
because of the strength of Sir Pala- 
mides. So they lashed together, and gave 
many sad strokes together, and many 
knights marvelled what knight he might 
be that so encountered with the black 
knight, Sir Tristram. Full well knew 
La Beale Isoud that there was Sir Pala- 
mides that fought with Sir Tristram, for 
she espied all in her window where that 
she stood, as Sir Palamides changed his 
harness with the wounded knight. And 
then she began to weep so heartily for 
the despite of Sir Palamides that there 
she swooned. Then came in Sir Laun- 
celot with the knights of Orkney ; and 
when the other party had espied Sir 
Launcelot they cried. Return, return, 
here cometh Sir Launcelot du Lake. 
So there came knights and said. Sir 
Launcelot, ye must needs fight with 
yonder knight in the black harness 
(that was Sir Tristram), for he hath 
almost overcome that good knight that 
fighteth with him with the silver shield 
(that was Sir Palamides). Then Sir Laun- 
celot rode betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir 
Palamides, and Sir Launcelot said to 
Palamides, Sir knight, let me have the 
battle, for ye have need to be reposed. 
Sir Palamides knew Sir Launcelot well, 
and so did Sir Tristram. But because 
Sir Launcelot was a far hardier knight 
than himself therefore he was glad, and 
suffered Sir Launcelot to fight with Sir 
Tristram. For well wist he that Sir 
Launcelot knew not Sir Tristram, and 
there he hoped that Sir Launcelot should 
beat or shame Sir Tristram, whereof Sir 
Palamides was full fain. And so Sir 



CHAP. Lxxvi. SIR TRISTRAM PROVED THE BEST KNIGHT. 



313 



Launcelot gave Sir Tristram many sad 
strokes, but Sir Launcelot knew not Sir 
Tristram, but Sir Tristram knew well 
Sir Launcelot. And thus they fought 
long together, that La Beale Isoud was 
well out of her mind for sorrow. Then 
Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that 
knight in the black harness was Sir 
Tristram, and this is Launcelot that 
fighteth with him, that must needs have 
the better of him, for Sir Tristram hath 
had too much travail this day. Then 
let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth. 
So it is better that we do, said Sir 
Dinadan, than Sir Tristram be shamed. 
For yonder hoveth the strong knight 
with the silver shield to fall upon Sir 
Tristram if need be. Then forthwithal 
Gareth rushed upon Sir Launcelot, and 
gave him a great stroke upon his helm 
so hard that he was astonied. And 
then came Sir Dinadan with a spear, 
and he smote Sir Launcelot such a 
buffet that horse and all fell to the 
earth. Alas, said Sir Tristram to Sir 
Gareth and Sir Dinadan, fie for shame, 
why did ye smite down so good a knight 
as he is, and namely when I had ado 
with him? Now ye do yourself great 
shame, and him no dis-worship : for I 
held him reasonable hot though ye had 
not holpen me. Then came Sir Pala- 
mides that was disguised, and smote 
down Sir Dinadan from his horse. 
Then Sir Launcelot, because Sir Dina- 
dan had smitten him aforehand, then 
Sir Launcelot assailed Sir Dinadan pass- 
ing sore, and Sir Dinadan defended him 
mightily. But well understood Sir Tris- 
tram that Sir Dinadan might not endure 
Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Tristram 
was sorry. Then came Sir Palamides 
fresh upon Sir Tristram. And when Sir 
Tristram saw him come, he thought to 
deliver him at once, because that he 
would help Sir Dinadan, because he 
stood in great peril with Sir Launcelot. 
Then Sir Tristram hurtled unto Sir Pala- 
mides, and gave him a great buffet, and 
then Sir Tristram gat Sir Palamides, 
and pulled him down underneath him. 
And so fell Sir Tristram with him, and 
Sir Tristram lept up lightly, and left Sir 



Palamides, and went betwixt Sir Laun- 
celot and Dinadan, and then they began 
to do battle together. Right so Sir 
Dinadan gat Sir Tristram's horse, and 
said on high, that Sir Launcelot might 
hear it, My lord Sir Tristram, take your 
horse. And when Sir Launcelot heard 
him name Sir Tristram, Alas, said Sir 
Launcelot, what have I done? I am 
dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir Tris- 
tram, said Launcelot, why were ye dis- 
guised? ye have put yourself in great 
peril this day. But, I pray you, noble 
knight, to pardon me, for and I had 
known you we had not done this battle. 
Sir, said Sir Tristram, this is not the 
first kindness ye shewed me. So they 
were both horsed again. Then all the 
people on the one side gave Sir Laun- 
celot the honour and the degree, and on 
the other side all the people gave to the 
noble knight Sir Tristram the honour 
and the degree. But Launcelot said 
nay thereto : — For 1 am not worthy to 
have this honour, for I will report me 
unto all knights that Sir Tristram hath 
been longer in the field than I, and he 
hath smitten down many more knights 
this day than I have done; and there- 
fore I will give Sir Tristram my voice 
and my name, and so I pray all my 
lords and fellows so to do. Then there 
was the whole voice of dukes and earls, 
barons and knights, that Sir Tristram 
this day is proved the best knight. 

CHAP. LXXVIL 

How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale 
Isoud, and how Palamides followed and 
excused him. 

Then they blew unto lodging, and 
queen Isoud was led unto her pavilions. 
But wit you well she was wroth out 
of measure with Sir Palamides, for 
she saw all his treason from the be- 
ginning to the ending. And all this 
while neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir 
Gareth, nor Dinadan, knew not of the 
treason of Sir Palamides. But after- 
ward ye shall hear that there befel the 
greatest debate betwixt Sir Tristram 
and Sir Palamides that might be. So 



314 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



when the tournament was done, Sir 
Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan rode 
with La Beale Isoud to these pavilions. 
And ever Sir Palamides rode with them 
in their company disguised as he was. 
But when Sir Tristram had espied him, 
that he was the same knight with the 
shield of silver that held him so hot 
that day. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, 
wit you well here is none that hath need 
of your fellowship, and therefore I pray 
you depart from us. Sir Palamides 
answered again, as though he had not 
known Sir Tristram, Wit ye well, sir 
knight, from this fellowship will I 
never depart, for one of the best knights 
of the world commanded me to be in 
this company, and till he discharge me 
of my service I will not be discharged. 
By that Sir Tristram knew that it was 
Sir Palamides. Ah Sir Palamides, said 
the noble knight Sir Tristram, are ye 
such a knight? Ye have been named 
wrong, for ye have long been called a 
gentle knight, and as this day ye have 
shewed me great ungentleness, for ye 
had almost brought me unto my death. 
But as for you I suppose I should have 
done well enough, but Sir Launcelot 
with you was overmuch, for I know no 
knight living but Sir Launcelot is over 
good for him, and he will do his utter- 
most. Alas, said Sir Palamides, are ye 
my lord Sir Tristram? Yea, sir, and 
that ye know well enough. By my 
knighthood, said Palamides, until now 
I knew you not, for I wend that ye had 
been the king of Ireland, for well I wot 
that ye bare his arms. His arms I bare, 
said Sir Tristram, and that will I stand 
by, for I won them once in a field of a 
full noble knight, his name was Sir 
Marhaus, and with great pain I won 
that knight, for there was none other 
recover, but Sir Marhaus died through 
false leeches, and yet was he never 
yielden to me. Sir, said Palamides, I 
wend ye had been turned upon Sir 
Launcelot's party, and that caused me 
to turn. Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, 
and so I take you, and I forgive you. 
So then they rode into their pavilions, 
and when they were alight they un- 



armed them, and washed their faces 
and hands, and so went to meat, and 
were set at their table. But when 
Isoud saw Sir Palamides she changed 
then her colours, and for wrath she 
might not speak. Anon Sir Tris- 
tram espied her countenance, and said, 
Madam, for what cause make ye us 
such cheer? we have been sore tra- 
vailed this day. Mine own lord, said 
La Beale Isoud, be ye not displeased 
with me, for I may none otherwise do, 
for I saw this day how ye were be- 
trayed, and nigh brought to your death. 
Truly, sir, I saw every deal, how, and 
in what wise; and therefore, sir, how 
should I suffer in your presence such a 
felon and traitor as Sir Palamides. For 
I saw him with mine eyes how he be- 
held you when ye went out of the field. 
For ever he hoved still upon his horse 
till he saw you come in againward. 
And then forthwithal I saw him ride to 
the hurt knight, and change harness 
with him, and then straight I saw him 
how he rode into the field. And anon 
as he had found you he encountered 
with you, and thus wilfully Sir Pala- 
mides did battle with you, and as for 
him, sir, I was not greatly afeard, but I 
dread sore Launcelot, that knew you 
not. Madam, said Palamides, ye may 
say what so ye will, I may not contrary 
you, but by my knighthood I knew 
not Sir Tristram. Sir Palamides, said 
Sir Tristram, I will take your excuse, 
but well I wot ye spared me but little, 
but all is pardoned on my part. Then 
La Beale Isoud held down her head, 
and said no more at that time. 

CHAP. LXXVIIL 

How king Arthtr and Sir Launcelot came 
into their pavilions as they sat at supper ; 
and of Palamides. 

And therewithal two knights armed 
came unto the pavilion, and there they 
alight both, and came in armed at all 
pieces. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, 
ye are to blame to come thus armed at 
all pieces upon me while we are at our 
meat. If ye would anything, when we 
were in the field there might ye have 



CHAP. LXXIX. 



THE THIRD DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. 



315 



eased your hearts. Not so, said the one 
of those knights, we come not for that 
intent ; but wit ye well, Sir Tristram, 
we be come hither as your friends. 
And I am come here, said the one, for 
to see you, and this knight is come for 
to see La Beale Isoud. Then, said Sir 
Tristram, I require you do off your 
helms, that I may see you. That will 
we do at your desire, said the knights. 
And when their helms were off, Sir 
Tristram thought he should know 
them. Then said Sir Dinadan privily 
unto Sir Tristram, Sir, that is Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake that spake unto you first, 
and the other is my lord king Arthur. 
Then said Sir Tristram unto La Beale 
Isoud, Madam, arise, for here is my 
lord king Arthur. Then the king and 
the queen kissed, and Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Tristram braced either other 
in arms, and then there was joy without 
measure, and at the request of La Beale 
Isoud king Arthur and Launcelot were 
unarmed. And then there was merry 
talking. 

Madam, said Sir Arthur, it is many 
a day sithen that I have desired to see 
you. For ye have been praised so far, 
and now I dare say ye are the fairest 
that ever I saw ; and Sir Tristram is as 
fair and as good a knight as any that I 
know, therefore me beseemeth ye are 
well beset together. Sir, I thank you, 
said the noble knight Sir Tristram, and 
Isoud ; of your great goodness and 
largesse ye are peerless. Thus they 
talked of many things, and of all the 
whole justs. But for what cause, said 
king Arthur, were ye. Sir Tristram, 
against us? Ye are a knight of the 
Table Round ; of right ye should have 
been with us. Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
here is Dinadan and Sir Gareth your 
own nephew caused me to be against 
you. My lord Arthur, said Gareth, I 
may well bear the blame, but it were 
Sir Tristram's own deeds. That may I 
repent, said Sir Dinadan, for this un- 
happy Sir Tristram brought us to this 
tournament, and many great buffets he 
caused us to have. Then the king and 
Launcelot laughed that they might not 



sit. What knight was that, said Arthur, 
that held you so short, this with the 
shield of silver ? Sir, said Sir Tristram, 
here he sitteth at this board. What, 
said Arthur, was it Sir Palamides ? Wit 
ye well it was he, said La Beale Isoud. 
Truly, said Arthur, that was unknightly 
done of you of so good a knight, for I 
have heard many people call you a 
courteous knight. Sir, said Palamides, 
I knew not Sir Tristram, for he was so 
disguised. Tnily, said Launcelot, it may 
well be, for I knew not Sir Tristram, 
but I marvel why ye turned on our 
party. That was done for the same 
cause, said Launcelot. As for that, said 
Sir Tristram, I have pardoned him, and 
I would be right loth to leave his fellow- 
ship, for I love right well his company. 
So they left off, and talked of other 
things. And in the evening king Arthur 
and Sir Launcelot departed unto their 
lodging. But wit ye well Sir Palamides 
had envy heartily, for all that night he 
had never rest in his bed, but wailed and 
wept out of measure. So on the morn 
Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan arose 
early, and then they went unto Sir Pala- 
mides' chamber, and there they found 
him fast on sleep, for he had ail night 
watched. And it was seen upon his 
cheeks that he had wept full sore. Say 
nothing, said Sir Tristram, for I am sure 
he hath taken anger and sorrow for the 
rebuke that I gave to him, and La Beale 
Isoud. 

CHAP. LXXIX. 
How Sir Tristram afid Sir Palamides did 
the next day, and how king Arthur was 
ufihorsed. 

Then Sir Tristram let call Sir Pala- 
mides, and bade him make him ready, 
for it was time to go to the field. When 
they were ready they were armed and 
clothed all in red, both Isoud and all 
they. And so they led her passing 
freshly through the field, into the priory 
where was her lodging. And then they 
heard three blasts blow, and eveiy king 
and knight dressed him unto the field ; 
and the first that was ready to just was 
Sir Palamides and Sir Kainus le Strange, 



3i6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



a knight of the Table Round. And so 
they two encountered together, but Sir 
Palamides smote Sir Kainus so hard, 
that he smote him quite over his horse 
croup : and forth withal Sir Palamides 
smote down another knight, and brake 
then his spear, and pulled out his sword 
and did wonderly well. And then the 
noise began greatly upon Sir Palamides. 
Lo, said king Arthur, yonder Palamides 
beginneth to play his pageant. Truly, 
said Arthur, he is a passing good knight. 
And right as they stood talking thus, in 
came Sir Tristram as thunder, and he 
encountered Sir Kay the seneschal, and 
there he smote him down quite from his 
horse, and with that same spear Sir Tris- 
tram smote down three knights more ; 
and then he pulled out his sword and 
did marvellously. Then the noise and 
cry changed from Sir Palamides and 
turned to Sir Tristram, and all the people 
cried, O Tristram ! O Tristram ! And 
then was Sir Palamides clean forgotten. 
How now, said Launcelot unto Arthur, 
yonder rideth a knight that playeth his 
pageants. Truly, said Arthur to Laun- 
celot, ye shall see this day that yonder 
two knights shall here do this day won- 
ders. Sir, said Launcelot, the one knight 
waiteth upon the other, and enforceth 
himself through envy to pass the noble 
knight Sir Tristram, and he knoweth 
not of the privy envy the which Sir 
Palamides hath to him. For all that 
the noble Sir Tristram doth is through 
clean knighthood. And then Sir Gareth 
and Dinadan did wonderly great deeds 
of arms as two noble knights, so that 
king Arthur spake of them great honour 
and worship ; and the kings and knights 
of Sir Tristram's side did passing well, 
and held them truly together. Then 
Sir Arthur and Sir Launcelot took their 
horses and dressed them, and gat into 
the thickest of the press. And there 
Sir Tristram unknowing smote down 
king Arthur, and then Sir Launcelot 
would have rescued him, but there were 
so many upon Sir Launcelot that they 
pulled him down from his horse. And 
then the king of Leland and the king of 
Scots, with their knights, did their pain 



to take king Arthur and Sir Launcelot 
prisoner. When Sir Launcelot heard 
them say so, he fared as it had been an 
hungry lion, for he fared so that no 
knight durst nigh him. Then came 
Sir Ector de Maris, and he bare a spear 
against Sir Palamides, and brake it upon 
him all to shivers. And then Sir Ector 
came again, and gave Sir Palamides such 
a dash with a sword that he stooped 
down upon his saddle-bow. And forth 
withal Sir Ector pulled down Sir Pala- 
mides under his feet. And then Sir 
Ector de Maris gat Sir Launcelot du 
Lake an horse, and brought it to him, 
and bad him mount upon him. But 
Sir Palamides lept afore, and gat the 
the horse by the bridle, and lept into 
the saddle. Truly, said Launcelot, ye 
are better worthy to have that horse 
than L Then Sir Ector brought Sir 
Launcelot another horse. Gramercy, 
said Launcelot unto his brother. And 
so when he was horsed again, with one 
spear he smote down four knights. 
And then Sir Launcelot brought to 
king Arthur one of the best of the four 
horses. Then Sir Launcelot with king 
Arthur and a few of his knights of Sir 
Launcelot's kin, did marvellous deeds ; 
for that time, as the book recordeth. 
Sir Launcelot smote dov^^n and pulled 
down thirty knights. Notwithstanding, 
the other part held them so fast together 
that king Arthur and his knights were 
overmatched. And when Sir Tristram 
saw that, what labour king Arthur and 
his knights, in especial the noble deeds 
that Sir Launcelot did with his own 
hands, he marvelled greatly. 

CHAP. LXXX. 

How Sir Tristram turned to Mng Arthur s 
side, and how Sir Palamides would not. 

Then Sir Tristram called unto him Sir 
Palamides, Sir Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, 
and said thus to them, My fair fellows, 
wit ye well that I will turn unto king 
Arthur's party, for I saw never so few 
men do so well, and it will be shame 
unto us knights that be of the Round 
Table to see our lord king Arthur, and 



CHAP, LXXX. 



WHAT SIR PALAMIDES DID. 



317 



that noble knight Sir Launcelot, to be 
dishonoured. It will be well done, said 
Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan. Do your 
best, said Palamides,for I will not change 
my party that I came in withal. That 
is for my sake, said Sir Tristram : speed 
you well in your journey. And so de- 
parted Sir Palamides from them. Then 
Sir Tristram, Sir Gareth, and Sir Dina- 
dan, tunied with Sir Launcelot. And 
then Sir Launcelot smote down the king 
of Ireland quite from his horse ; and so 
Sir Launcelot smote down the king of 
Scots, and the king of Wales. And 
then Sir Arthur ran unto Sir Palamides, 
and smote him quite from his horse. 
And then Sir Tristram bare down all 
that he met. Sir Gareth and Sir Dina- 
dan did there as noble knights. Then 
all the parties began to flee. Alas, said 
Palamides, that ever I should see this 
day, for now have I lost all the worship 
that 1 wan. And then Sir Palamides 
went his way wailing, and so withdrew 
him till he came to a well, and there he 
put his horse from him, and did off his 
armour, and wailed and wept like as he 
had been a wood man. 

Then many knights gave the prize to 
Sir Tristram, and there Avere many that 
gave the prize unto Sir Launcelot. Fair 
lords, said Sir Tristram, I thank you of 
the honour ye would give me, but I pray 
you heartily that ye would give your 
voice to Sir Launcelot, for by my faith, 
said Sir Tristram, I will give Sir Laun- 
celot my voice. But Sir Launcelot 
would not have it. And so the prize 
was given betwixt them both. Then 
every man rode to his lodging. And 
Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector rode with 
Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto 
her pavilions. Then as Sir Palamides 
was at the well, wailing and weeping, 
there came by him fleeing the king of 
Wales, and of Scotland, and they saw Sir 
Palamides in that rage. Alas, said they, 
that so noble a man as ye be should be 
in this array. And then those kings 
gat Sir Palamides' horse again, and made 
him to arm him and mount upon his 
horse, and so he rode with them, making 
great dole. So when Sir Palamides came 



nigh the pavilions there as Sir Tristram 
and La Beale Isoud were in, then Sir 
Palamides prayed the two kings to abide 
him there the while that he spake with 
Sir Tristram. And when he came to 
the port of the pavilions, Sir Pala- 
niides said on high, Where art thou, 
Sir Tristram de Liones ? Sir, said 
Dinadan, that is Palamides. What, 
Sir Palamides, will ye not come in 
here among us? Fie on thee traitor, 
said Sir Palamides, for wit you well, 
and it were daylight as it is night, I 
would slay thee with mine own hands. 
And if ever I may get thee, said Pala- 
mides, thou shalt die for this day's deed. 
Sir Palamides, said Sir Tristram, ye 
blame me with wrong, for had ye done 
as I did ye had won worship. But since 
ye give me so large warning I shall 
be well ware of you. Fie on thee 
traitor, said Palamides, and therewith 
departed. Then on the mom Sir Tris- 
tram, Bleoberis, and Sir Ector de Maris, 
Sir Gareth, Sir Dinadan, what by water 
and what by land, they brought La 
Beale Isoud unto Joyous Gard, and 
there reposed them a seven night, and 
made all the mirths and disports that 
they could devise. And king Arthur 
and his knights drew unto Camelot, and 
Sir Palamides rode with the two kings ; 
and ever he made the greatest dole that 
any man could think. For he was not 
all only so dolorous for the departing 
from La Beale Isoud, but he was a part 
as sorrowful to depart from the fellow- 
ship of Sir Tristram, for Sir Tristram 
was so kind and so gentle that when 
Sir Palamides remembered him thereof 
he might never be merry. 

CHAP. LXXXI. 

How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector reported 
to queen Guenever of the beauty of La 
Beale Isoud. 

So at the seven night's end Sir Bleo- 
beris and Sir Ector departed from Sir 
Tristram and from the queen, and these 
two good knights had great gifts, and 
Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan abode with 
Sir Tristram. And when Sir Bleoberis 



3i8 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and Sir Ector were come there as the 
queen Guenever was lodged in a castle 
by the sea side, and through the grace 
of God the queen was recovered from 
her malady, then she asked the two 
knights from whence they came. They 
said they came from Sir Tristram and 
from La Beale Isoud. How doth Sir 
Tristram, said the queen, and La Beale 
Isoud ? Truly, said those two knights, 
he doth as a noble knight should do, 
and as for the queen Isoud, she is peer- 
less of all ladies ; for to speak of her 
beauty, bounty, and mirth, and of her 
goodness, we saw never her match as far 
as we have ridden and gone. Oh mercy, 
said queen Guenever, so saith all the 
people that have seen her and spoken 
with her. Would that I had part of her 
conditions. And it is misfortuned me 
of my sickness while that tournament 
endured ; and, as I suppose, I shall never 
see in all my life such an assembly of 
knights and ladies as ye have done. Then 
the knights told her how Sir Palamides 
wan the degree at the first day with great 
noblesse ; and the second day Sir Tris- 
tram wan the degree ; and the third day 
Sir Launcelot wan the degree. Well, 
said queen Guenever, who did best all 
these three days? Truly, said these 
knights. Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram 
had least dishonour. And wit ye well 
Sir Palamides did passing well and 
mightily, but he turned against the party 
that he came in withal, and that caused 
him to lose a great part of his worship, 
for it seemed that Sir Palamides is pass- 
ing envious. Then shall he never win 
worship, said queen Guenever, for, and 
it happeth an envious man once to win 
worship, he shall be dishonoured twice 
therefore. And for this cause all men 
of worship hate an envious man, and 
will shew him no favour. And he that 
is courteous, kind, and gentle, hath 
favour in every place. 

CHAP. LXXXII. 

How Sir Palamides complained by a well, 
and how Epinogris came and found 
him, and of their both sorrows. 
Now leave we of this matter, and 



speak we of Sir Palamides that rode 
and lodged him with the two kings, 
whereof the kings were heavy. Then 
the king of Ii-eland sent a man of his to 
Sir Palamides, and gave him a great 
courser. And the king of Scotland 
gave him great gifts, and fain they 
would have had Sir Palamides to have 
abiden with them, but in no wise he 
would abide, and so he departed and 
rode as adventures would guide him, 
till it was nigh noon. And then in a 
forest by a well Sir Palamides saw where 
lay a fair wounded knight, and his horse 
bound by him, and that knight made 
the greatest dole that ever he heard man 
make, for ever he wept and sighed as 
though he would die. Then Sir Pala- 
mides rode near him, and saluted him 
mildly and said. Fair knight, why wail ye 
so ? let me lie down and wail with you, 
for doubt ye not I am much more heavier 
than ye are ; for I dare say, said Pala- 
mides, that my sorrow is an hundred 
fold more than yours is, and therefore 
let us complain either to other. First, 
said the wounded knight, I require you 
tell me your name, for and thou be none 
of the noble knights of the Round Table 
thou shalt never know my name, whatso- 
ever come of me. Fair knight, said Pala- 
mides, such as I am, be it better or be 
it worse, wit thou well that my name 
is Sir Palamides, son and heir unto king 
Astlabor, and Sir Safere and Sir Segwa- 
rides are my two brethren, and wit thou 
well as for myself I was never christened, 
but my two brethren are truly christened. 
Oh noble knight, said that knight, well 
is me that I have met with you, and 
wit ye well my name is Epinogris, the 
king's son of Northumberland. Now 
sit down, said Epinogris, and let us 
either complain to other. Then Sir 
Palamides began his complaint. Now 
shall I tell you, said Palamides, what woe 
I endure. I love the fairest queen and 
lady that ever bare life, and wit ye well 
her name is La Beale Isoud, king Mark's 
wife of Cornwall. That is great folly, 
said Sir Epinogris, for to love queen 
Isoud, for one of the best knights of 
the world loveth her, that is Sir Tris- 



CHAP, Lxxxin, 



OF EPINOGRIS AND HIS LADY. 



319 



tram de Liones. That is truth, said 
Palamides, for no man knoweth that 
matter better than I do, for I have been 
in Sir Tristram's fellowship this month, 
and with La Beale Isoud together ; and 
alas, said Palamides, unhappy man that 
I am, now have I lost the fellowship of 
Sir Tristram for ever, and the love of 
La Beale Isoud for ever, and I am never 
like to see her more, and Sir Tristram 
and I be either to other mortal enemies. 
Well, said Epinogris, sith that ye loved 
La Beale Isoud, loved she you ever 
again, by anything that ye could think 
or wit ? Nay, by my knighthood, said 
Palamides, I never espied that ever she 
loved me more than all the world. But 
the last day she gave me the greatest 
rebuke that ever 1 had, the which shall 
never go from my heart, and yet I well 
deserved that rebuke, for I had not done 
knightly, and therefore I have lost the 
love of her and of Sir Tristram for ever. 
And I have many times enforced myself 
to do many deeds for La Beale Isoud's 
sake, and she was the causer of my 
worship winning. Alas, said Sir Pala- 
mides, now have I lost all the worship 
that ever I wan, for never shall me be- 
fal such prowess as I had in the fellow- 
ship of Sir Tristram. 

CHAP. LXXXIII. 

How. Sir Palamides brought to Sir Epino- 
gris his lady; and how Sir Pala?nides 
and Sir Safere were assailed. 

Nay, nay, said Epinogris, your sorrow 
is but a jest to my sorrow, for I rejoiced 
my lady and wan her with my hands, and 
lost her again, alas that day. Thus first 
I wan her, said Epinogris : my lady was 
an earl's daughter, and as the earl and 
two knights came from the tournament 
of Lonazep, for her sake I set upon 
this earl and on his two knights, my 
lady there being present, and so by for- 
tune there I slew the earl and one of the 
knights, and the other knight fled, and 
so I had my lady. And on the morn, as 
she and I reposed us at this well side, 
there came there to me an errant knight, 
his name was Sir Helior le Preuse, an 



hardy knight ; and this Sir Helior chal- 
lenged me to fight for my lady. And 
then we went to battle, first upon horse 
and after on foot. But at the last Sir 
Helior wounded me so that he left me 
for dead, and so he took my lady with 
him. And thus my sorrow is more 
than yours, for I have rejoiced, and ye 
rejoiced never. That is truth, said Sir 
Palamides, but sith I can never recover 
myself, I shall promise you, if I can 
meet with Sir Helior I shall get you 
your lady again, or else he shall beat 
me. Then Sir Palamides made Sir 
Epinogris to take his horse, and so they 
rode to an hermitage, and there Sir 
Epinogris rested him. And in the 
mean while Sir Palamides walked pri- 
vily out, to rest him under the leaves ; 
and there beside he saw a knight come 
riding with a shield that he had seen 
Sir Ector de Maris bear aforehand, and 
there came after him a ten knights, and 
so these ten knights hoved under the 
leaves for heat. And anon after there 
came a knight, with a green shield and 
therein a white lion, leading a lady upon 
a palfrey. Then this knight with tlie 
green shield, that seemed to be master 
of the ten knights, he rode fiercely after 
Sir Helior ; for it was he that hurt Sir 
Epinogris. And when he came nigh 
Sir Helior he bad him defend his lady. 
I will defend her, said Helior, unto 
my power. And so they ran together 
so mightily that either of these two 
knights smote other down, horse and 
all, to the earth, and then they wan up 
lightly and drew their swords and their 
shields, and lashed together mightily 
more than an hour. All this Sir Pala- 
mides saw and beheld, but ever at the 
last the knight with Sir Ector's shield 
was bigger, and at the last this knight 
smote Sir Helior down, and then that 
knight unlaced his helm to have stricken 
off his head. And then he cried mercy, 
and prayed him to save his life, and bad 
him take his lady. 

Then Sir Palamides dressed him up, 
because he wist well that that same lady 
was Epinogris' lady, and he promised 
him to help him. Then Sir Palamides 



320 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



went straight to that lady, and took her 
by the hand, and asked her whether she 
knew a knight that hight Epinogris. 
Alas, she said, that ever he knew me, 
or I him, for I have for his sake lost 
my worship, and also his life grieveth 
me most of all. Not so, lady, said 
Palamides, come on with me, for here 
is Epinogris in this hermitage. Ah, 
well is me, said the lady, and he be on 
live. Whither wilt thou with that lady ? 
said the knight with Sir Ector's shield. 
I will do with her what me list, said 
Palamides. Wit you well, said that 
knight, thou speakest over large, though 
thou seemest me to have at advantage, 
because thou sawest me do battle but 
late. Thou weenest, sir knight, to have 
that lady away from me so lightly ; nay, 
think it never not, and thou were as 
good a knight as is Sir Launcelot, or as 
is Sir Tristram, or Sir Palamides, but 
thou shalt win her dearer than ever did I. 
And so they went unto battle upon foot, 
and there they gave many sad strokes, 
and either wounded other passing sore ; 
and thus they fought still more than an 
hour. Then Sir Palamides had marvel 
what knight he might be that was so 
strong and so well breathed during, and 
thus said Palamides : Knight, I require 
thee tell me thy name. Wit thou well, 
said that knight, I dare tell thee my 
name, so that thou wilt tell me thy 
name. I will, said Palamides. Truly, 
said that knight, my name is Safere, son 
of king Astlabor, and Sir Palamides and 
Sir Segwarides are my brethren. Now, 
and wit thou well my name is Sir Pala- 
mides. Then Sir Safere kneeled down 
upon his knees, and prayed him of 
mercy ; and then they unlaced their 
helms, and either kissed other weeping. 
And in the mean while Sir Epinogris 
arose out of his bed, and heard them by 
the strokes, and so he armed him to 
help Sir Palamides if need were. 

CHAP. LXXXIV. 
How Sir Palamides and Sir Safere con- 
ducted Sir Epinogris to his castle, and 
of other adventures. 
Then Sir Palamides took the lady by 



the hand and brought her to Sir Epi- 
nogris, and there was great joy betwixt 
them, for either swooned for joy. When 
they were met, — Fair knight and lady, 
said Sir Safere, it were pity to depart 
you, Heaven send you joy either of 
other. Gramercy, gentle knight, said 
Epinogris, and much more thank be to 
my lord Sir Palamides, that thus hath 
through his prowess made me to get 
my lady. Then Sir Epinogris required 
Sir Palamides and Sir Safere his brother 
to ride with them unto his castle, for 
the safeguard of his person. Sir, said 
Palamides, we will be ready to conduct 
you, because that ye are sore wounded. 
And so was Epinogris and his lady 
horsed, and his lady behind him, upon 
a soft ambler. 

And then they rode unto his castle, 
where they had great cheer, and joy as 
great as ever Sir Palamides and Sir 
Safere ever had in their life days. So 
on the morn Sir Safere and Sir Pala- 
mides departed, and rode as fortune 
led them : and so they rode all that day 
until afternoon. And at the last they 
heard a great weeping and a great noise 
down in a manor. Sir, said then Sir 
Safere, let us wit what noise this is. I 
will well, said Sir Palamides. And so 
they rode forth till that they came to a 
fair gate of a manor, and there sat an 
old man saying his prayers and beads. 
Then Sir Palamides and Sir Safere 
alight, and left their horses, and went 
within the gates, and there they saw 
full many goodly men weeping. Fair 
sirs, said Sir Palamides, wherefore weep 
ye, and make this sorrow? Anon one 
of the knights of the castle beheld Sir 
Palamides and knew him, and then went 
to his fellows and said. Fair fellows, 
wit ye well all, we have in this castle 
the same knight that slew our lord at 
Lonazep, for I know him well, it is Sir 
Palamides. Then they went unto harness 
all that might bear harness, some on 
horseback and some on foot, to the 
number of threescore. And when they 
were ready, they came freshly upon Sir 
Palamides and upon Sir Safere with a 
great noise, and said thus, Keep thee, 



CHAP. LXXXV. 



HOW SIR PALAMIDES WAS RESCUED. 



321 



Sir Palamides, for thou art known, and 
by right thou must be dead, for thou 
hast slain our lord, and therefore, wit ye 
well, we will slay thee, therefore defend 
thee. Then Sir Palamides and Sir Sa- 
fere the one set his back to other, and 
gave many great strokes, and took many 
great strokes ; and thus they fought 
with a twenty knights and forty gentle- 
men and yeomen, nigh two hours. But 
at the last, though they were loth, Sir 
Palamides and Sir Safere were taken 
and yielden, and put in a strong prison. 
And within three days twelve knights 
passed upon them, and they found Sir 
Palamides guilty, and Sir Safere not 
guilty, of their lord's death. And when 
Sir Safere should be delivered, there 
was great dole betwixt Sir Palamides 
and him, and many piteous complaints 
that Sir Safere made at his departing, 
tliat there is no maker can rehearse the 
tenth part. Fair brother, said Pala- 
mides, let be thy dolour and thy sor- 
row : and if I be ordained to die a 
shameful death, welcome be it ; but 
and I had wist of this death that I am 
doomed unto, I should never have been 
yielden. So Sir Safere departed from 
his brother with the greatest dolour 
and sorrow that ever made knight. 
And on the morn they of the castle 
ordained twelve knights to ride with 
Sir Palamides unto the father of the 
same knight that Sir Palamides slew ; 
and so they bound his legs under an 
old steed's belly. And then they rode 
with Sir Palamides unto a castle by the 
sea side, that hight Pelownes, and there 
Sir Palamides should have justice : thus 
was their ordinance. And so they rode 
with Sir Palamides fast by the castle of 
Joyous Card ; and as they passed by 
that castle, there came riding out of 
that castle by them one that knew Sir 
Palamides ; and when that knight saw 
Sir Palamides bounden upon a crooked 
courser, the knight asked Sir Palamides 
for what cause he was led so. Ah, 
my fair fellow and knight, said Pala- 
mides, I ride toward my death, for the 
slaying of a knight at a tournament of 
Lonazep; and if I had not departed 



from my lord Sir Tristram, as I ought 
not to have done, now might I have 
been sure to have had my life saved. 
But I pray you, sir knight, recommand 
me unto my lord Sir Tristram, and unto 
my lady queen Isoud, and say to them, 
if ever I trespassed to them I ask them 
forgiveness. And also, I beseech you, 
recommand me unto my lord king Ar- 
thur, and unto all the fellowship of the 
Round Table, unto my power. Then 
that knight wept for pity of Sir Pala- 
mides ; and therewithal he rode unto 
Joyous Gard as fast as his horse might 
run. And lightly that knight descended 
down off his horse, and went unto Sir 
Tristram, and there he told him all as 
ye have heard : and ever the knight 
wept as he had been mad. 

CHAP. LXXXV. 

How Sir Tristram made him ready to 
rescue Sir Palamides, but Sir Launce- 
lot rescued him or he came. 

When Sir Tristram heard how Sir 
Palamides Avent to his death, he was 
heavy to hear that, and said, Howbeit 
that I am wrath with Sir I'alamides, yet 
will not I suffer him to die so shameful 
a death, for he is a full noble knight. 
And then anon Sir Tristram was armed, 
and took his horse, and two squires with 
him, and rode a great pace toward the 
castle of Pelownes, where Sir Palamides 
was judged to death. And these twelve 
knights that led Sir Palamides passed 
by a well whereas vSir Launcelot was, 
which was alight there, and had tied 
his horse to a tree, and taken off his 
helm to drink of that well ; and when 
he saw these knights, Sir Launcelot put 
on his helm, and suffered them to pass 
by him. And then was he ware of Sir 
Palamides bounden, and led shamefully 
to his death. Oh, mercy, said Launcelot, 
what misadventure is befallen him, that 
he is thus led toward his death? For- 
sooth, said Launcelot, it were shame 
to me to suffer this noble knight so to 
die and I might help him, therefore I 
will help him whatsoever come of it, or 
else I shall die for Sir Palamides' sake. 



322 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



And then Sir Launcelot mounted upon 
his horse, and gat his spear in his hand, 
and rode after the twelve knights that 
led Sir Palamides. Fair knights, said 
Sir Launcelot, whither lead ye that 
knight ? it beseemeth him full ill to ride 
bounden. Then these twelve knights 
suddenly turned their horses, and said 
to Sir Launcelot, Sir knight, we counsel 
thee not to meddle with this knight, for 
he hath deserved death, and unto death 
he is judged. That me repenteth, said 
Launcelot, that I may not ransom him 
with fairness, for he is over good a 
knight to die such a shameful death. 
And therefore, fair knights, said Sir 
Launcelot, keep you as well as ye can, 
for I will rescue that knight, or die for 
it. Then they began to dress their 
spears, and Sir Launcelot smote the 
foremost down, horse and man ; and so 
he served three more with one spear, 
and then that spear brake ; and there- 
withal Sir Launcelot drew his sword, 
and then he smote on the right hand 
and on the left hand : then within 
awhile he left none of those twelve 
knights but he had laid them to the 
earth, and the most part of them were 
sore wounded. And then Sir Launcelot 
took the best horse that he found, and 
loosed Sir Palamides, and set him upon 
that horse, and so they returned again 
unto Joyous Gard. And then Avas Sir 
Palamides ware of Sir Tristram how he 
came riding; and when Sir Launcelot 
saw him he knew him right well ; but 
Sir Tristram knew not him, because Sir 
Launcelot had on his shoulder a golden 
shield. So Sir Launcelot made him 
ready to just with Sir Tristram, that Sir 
Tristram should not wend that he were 
Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Palamides 
cried on loud unto Sir Tristram, O my 
lord, I require you just not with this 
knight, for this good knight hath saved 
me from my death. When Sir Tristram 
heard him say so, he came a soft trotting 
pace toward them. And then Sir Pala- 
mides said. My lord Sir Tristram, much 
am I beholding unto you of your great 
goodness that would proffer your noble 
body to rescue me undeserved, for I have 



greatly offended you. Notwithstanding, 
said Sir Palamides, here met we with 
this noble knight, that worshipfully and 
manly rescued me from twelve knights, 
and smote them down all, and wounded 
them sore. 

CHAP. LXXXVI. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot, 
with Palamides, caine to Joyous Gard; 
and of Palamides and Sir Tristram. 

Fair knight, said Sir Tristram unto 
Sir Launcelot, of whence be ye ? I am 
a knight errant, said Sir Launcelot, that 
rideth to seek many adventures. What 
is your name ? said Sir Tristram. Sir, 
at this time I will not tell you. Then 
Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Tristram 
and to Palamides, Now either of you 
are met together, I will depart from 
you. Not so, said Sir Tristram, I pray 
you of knighthood to ride with me 
unto my castle. Wit you well, said 
Sir Launcelot, I may not ride with 
you, for I have many deeds to do in 
other places, that at this time I may 
not abide with you. Truly, said Sir 
Tristram, I require you, as ye be a true 
knight to the order of knighthood, play 
you with me this night. Then Sir 
Tristram had a grant of Sir Launcelot : 
howbeit, though he had not desired 
him he would have ridden with them, 
or soon would come after them ; for 
Sir Launcelot came for none other 
cause into that country but for to see 
Sir Tristram. And when they were 
come within Joyous Gard they alight, 
and their horses were led into a stable, 
and then they unarmed them. And 
when Sir Launcelot was unhelmed. Sir 
Tristram and Sir Palamides knew him. 
Then Sir Tristram took Sir Launcelot 
in arms, and so did La Beale Isoud ; 
and Sir Palamides kneeled down upon 
his knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. 
When Sir Launcelot saw Sir Palamides 
kneel, he lightly took him up, and said 
thus; Wit thou well, Sir Palamides, 
I, and any knight in this land of wor- 
ship, ought of very right succour and 
rescue so noble a knight as ye are 



CHAP. Lxxxvi. OF THE COMPLAINT OF SIR PAL AMIDES. 



323 



proved and renowned throughout all 
this reahii, endlong and overthwart. 
And then was there joy among them ; 
and the oftener that Sir Palamides saw 
La Beale Isoud, the heavier he waxed 
day by day. Then Sir Launcelot within 
three or four days departed; and with 
him rode Sir Ector de Maris : and Di- ! 
nadan and Sir Palamides were there left 
with Sir Tristram a two months and 
more. But ever Sir Palamides faded 
and mourned, that all men had marvel 
wherefore he faded so away. So upon 
a day, in the dawning Sir Palamides 
went into the forest by himself alone, 
and there he found a well, and then he 
looked into the well, and in the water 
he saw his own visage, how he was 
disturbed and defaded, nothing like 
that he was. What may this mean? 
said Sir Palamides. And thus he said 
to himself: Ah, Palamides, Palamides, 
why art thou diffaded, thou that was 
wont be called one of the fairest 
knights of the world? I will no more 
lead this life, for I love that I may 
never get nor recover. And therewithal 
he laid him down by the well. And 
then he began to make a rhyme of 
La Beale Isoud and him. And in the 
meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same 
day ridden into the forest to chase the 
hart of greese. But Sir Tristram would 
not ride on hunting never more un- 
armed because of Sir Breuse Sance 
Pite. And so as Sir Tristram rode into 
that forest up and down, he heard one 
sing marvellously loud ; and that was 
Sir Palamides, that lay by the well. 
And then Sir Tristram rode softly 
thither, for he deemed there was some 
knight errant that was at the well. 

And when Sir Tristrani came nigh 
him, he descended down from his horse, 
and tied his horse fast till a tree, and 
then he came near him on foot. And 
anon he was w\are where lay Sir Pala- 
mides by the well, and song loud and 
merrily. And ever the complaints were 
of that noble queen La Beale Isoud, 
the which was marvellously and won- 
derfully well said, and full dolefully and 
piteously made. And all the whole 



song the noble knight Sir Tristram 
heard from the beginning to the ending, 
the which grieved and troubled him 
sore. But then at the last, when Sir 
Tristram had heard all Sir Palamides' 
complaints, he was wroth out of mea- 
sure, and thought for to slay him there 
as he lay. Then Sir Tristram remem- 
bered himself that Sir Palamides was 
unarmed, and of the noble name that 
Sir Palamides had, and the noble name 
that himself had, and then he made a 
restraint of his anger, and so he went 
unto Sir Palamides a soft pace, and 
said. Sir Palamides, I have heard your 
complaint, and of thy treason that thou 
hast owed me so long. And wit thou 
well therefore thou shalt die. And if 
it were not for shame of knighthood 
thou shouldest not escape my hands, 
for now I know well thou hast awaited 
me with treason. Tell me, said Sir 
Tristram, how thou wilt acquit thee. 
Sir, said Palamides. thus I will acquit 
me : — as for queen La Beale Isoud, ye 
shall wit well that I love her above all 
other ladies of the world ; and well I 
wot it shall befal me as for her love as 
befel to the noble knight Sir Kehidius, 
that died for the love of La Beale Isoud; 
and now. Sir Tristram, I will that ye 
wit that I have loved La Beale Isoud 
many a day, and she hath been the 
causer of my worship. And else I had 
been the most simplest knight in the 
world. For by her, and because of her, 
I have won the worship that I have : 
for when I remembered me of La Beale 
Isoud, I wan the worship wheresoever 
I came, for the most part ; and yet had 
I never reward jior bounty of her the 
days of my life, and yet have I been 
her knight guerdonless ; and therefore 
Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread 
not, for I had as lief die as to live. And 
if I were armed as thou art, I should 
lightly do battle with thee. Well have 
ye uttered your treason, said Tristram. 
I have done to you no treason, said 
Sir Palamides, for love is free for all 
men, and though I have loved your 
lady she is my lady as well as yours : 
howbeit I have wrong if any wrong be, 



ii' 



324 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



for ye rejoice her, and have her love, 
and so had I never, nor never am hke 
to have. And yet shall I love her to 
the uttermost days of my life as well 
as ye. 

CHAP. LXXXVII. 
Hozu there ivas a day set between Sir Tris- 
tram and Sir Palamides for to fight, 
and how Sir Tristram was hirt. 

Then, said Sir Tristram, I will fight 
with you unto the uttermost. I grant, 
said I'alamides, for in a better quar- 
rel keep I never to fight, for, and I 
die of your hands, of a better knight's 
hands may I not be slain. And sithen 
I understand that I shall never rejoice 
La Beale Isoud, I have as good will to 
die as to live. Then set ye a day, said 
Sir Tristram, that we shall do battle. 
This day fifteen days, said Palamides, 
will I meet with you here by, in the 
meadow under Joyous Gard. Fie for 
shame, said Sir Tristram, will ye set 
so long day? let us fight to -morn. 
Not so, said Palamides, for I am meagre, 
and have been long sick for the love of 
La Beale Isoud, and therefore I will 
repose m.e till I have my strength again. 
So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
promised faithfully to meet at the well 
that day fifteen days. I am remembered, 
said Sir Tristram to Palamides, that ye 
brake me once a promise when that I 
rescued you from Breuse Sance Pite 
and nine knights, and then ye promised 
me to meet at the peron and the grave 
beside Camelot, whereas at that time 
ye failed of your promise. Wit you 
well, said Palamides \mto Sir Tristram, 
I was at that day in prison, so that I 
might not hold my promise. Truly, 
said Sir Tristram, and ye had holden 
your promise, this work had not been 
here now at this time. Right so departed 
Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides. And 
so Sir Palamides took his horse and his 
harness, and he rode unto king Arthur's 
court, and there Sir Palamides gat him 
four knights and four Serjeants of arms, 
and so he returned againward unto 
Joyous Gard. And in the mean while 
Sir Tristram chased and hunted at all 



manner of venery, and about three days 
afore the battle should be, as Sir Tris- 
tram chased an hart, there was an 
archer shot at the hart, and by mis- 
fortune he smote Sir Tristram in the 
thick of the thigh, and the arrow slew 
Sir Tristram's horse, and hurt him. 
When Sir Tristram was so hurt, he was 
passing heavy, and wit ye well he bled 
sore. And then he took another horse, 
and rode unto Joyous Gard with great 
heaviness, more for the promise he had 
made with Sir Palamides, as to do battle 
with him within three days after, than 
for any hurt of his thigh. Wherefore 
there was neither man nor woman that 
could cheer him with anything that 
they could make to him, neither queen 
La Beale Isoud, for ever he deemed that 
Sir Palamides had smitten him so that 
he should not be able to do battle with 
him at the day set. 

CHAP. Lxxxvni. 

How Sir Palamides kept his day to have 
foughten, but Sir Tristram might not 
come ; and other things. 

But in no wise there was no knight 
about Sir Tristram that would believe 
that ever Sir Palamides would hurt Sir 
Tristram, neither by his own hands nor 
by none other consenting. Then when 
the fifteenth day was come. Sir Pa- 
lamides came to the well with four 
knights with him of Arthur's court, and 
three Serjeants of arms. And for this 
intent Sir Palamides brought the knights 
with him and the Serjeants of arms, for 
they should bear record of the battle 
betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides. 
And the one serjeant brought in his 
helm, the other his spear, the third his 
sword. So thus Sir Palamides came 
into the field, and there he abode nigh 
two hours. And then he sent a squire 
unto Sir Tristram, and desired him to 
come into the field to hold his promise. 
When the squire was come to Joyous 
Gard, anon as Sir Tristram heard of 
his coming, he let command that the 
squire should come to his presence 
there as he lay in his bed. My lord 



CHAP. Lxxxviii. THE END OF THE BOOK OF SIR TRISTRAM. 



3^-5 



Sir Tristram, said Palamides' squire, 
wit you well, my lord Palamides abideth 
you in the field, and he would wit 
whether ye would do battle or not. Ah, 
my fair brother, said Sir Tristram, wit 
thou well that I am right heavy for 
these tidings, therefore tell Sir Pala- 
mides and 1 were well at ease I would 
not lie here, nor he should have no 
need to send for me, and I might either 
ride or go : and for thou shalt say 
that I am no liar — Sir Tristram shewed 
him his thigh, that the wound was six 
inches deep : — And now thou hast seen 
my hurt, tell thy lord that this is no 
feigned matter ; and tell him that I 
had lever than all the gold of king 
Arthur that I were whole : and tell 
Palamides, as soon as I am whole I 
shall seek him. endlong and overthwart, 
and that I promise you as I am tme 
knight : and if ever I may meet with 
him he shall have battle of me his fill. 
And with this the squire departed. And 
when Sir Palamides wist that Tristram 
was hurt, he was glad, and said. Now 
I am sure I shall have no shame, for I 
wot well I should have had hard handling 
of him, and by likely I must needs have 
had the worse. P^or he is the hardest 
knight in battle that now is living 
except Sir Launcelot. And then de- 
parted Sir Palamides where as fortune 
led him. And within a month Sir Tris- 
tram was whole of his hurt. And then 
he took his horse, and rode from country 



to country, and all strange adventures 
he achieved wheresoever he rode, and 
always he enquired for Sir Palamides, 
but of all that quarter of summer Sir 
Tristram could never meet with Sir Pa- 
lamides, But thus as Sir Tristram 
sought and enquired after Sir Palamides, 
Sir Tristram achieved many great battles, 
wherethrough all the noise fell to Sir 
Tristram, and it ceased of Sir Launce- 
lot ; and therefore Sir Launcelot's bre- 
thren and his kinsmen would have slain 
Sir Tristram, because of his fame. But 
when Sir Launcelot wist how his kins- 
men were set, he said to them openly, 
Wit you well, that and the envy of you 
all be so hardy to wait upon my lord 
Sir Tristram with any hurt, shame, or 
villainy, as I am true knight I shall slay 
the best of you with mine own hands, 
Alas, fie for shame, should ye for his 
noble deeds await upon him to slay 
him, Jesu defend, said Launcelot, that 
ever any noble knight as Sir Tristram 
is should be destroyed with treason. 
Of this noise and fame sprang into 
Cornwall, and among them of Liones, 
whereof they were passing glad and 
made great joy. And then they of 
Liones sent letters unto Sir Tristram 
of recommendation, and many great 
gifts to maintain Sir Tristram's estate. 
And ever between Sir Tristram resorted 

j unto Joyous Card, where as La Beale 
Isoud was, that loved him as her 

; life. 






^j£ mtbtnii ^ooh 



CHAP. L 

How Sir Launcelot rode on his adven- 
ture, and how he holpe a dolorous lady 
from her pain, and how that be fought 
with a dragon. 

Now leave we Sir Tristram de Liones, 
and speak we of Sir Launcelot du Lake, 



and Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot's son, 
how he was born, and in what manner, 
as the book of French rehearseth. Afore 
the time that Sir Galahad was born, 
there came in an hermit unto king 
Arthur, upon Whitsunday, as the knights 
sat at the Table Round. And when 
the hermit saw the siege perilous, 



326 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



he asked the king and all the knights 
why that siege was void. Sir Artliur 
and all the knights answered, There 
shall never none sit in that seige but 
one, but if he be destroyed. Then, said 
the hermit, wot ye what is he ? Nay, 
said Arthur and all the knights, we wot 
not who is he that shall sit therein. 
Then wot I, said the hermit, for he that 
shall sit there is unborn, and this same 
year he shall be born that shall sit 
there in that siege perilous, and he shall 
win the Sangreal. When this hermit 
had made this mention he departed from 
the court of king Arthur. And then 
after this feast Sir Launcelot rode on 
his adventures, till on a time by adven- 
ture he passed over the bridge of Corbin, 
and there he saw the fairest tower that 
ever he saw, and thereunder was a fair 
town full of people, and all the people, 
men and women, cried at once. Welcome 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all 
knighthood, for by thee all we shall be 
holpen out of danger. What mean ye, 
said Sir Launcelot, that ye cry so upon 
me? Ah, fair knight, said they all, 
here is within this tower a dolorous 
lady that hath been there in pains many 
winters : for ever she boileth in scalding 
watei-. And but late, said all the people. 
Sir Gawaine was here, and he might 
not help her, and so he left her in pain. 
So may I, said Sir Launcelot, leave her 
in pain as well as Sir Gawaine did. 
Nay, said the people, we know well 
that it is Sir Launcelot that shall deliver 
her. Well, said Launcelot, then show 
me what I shall do. Then they brought 
Sir Launcelot into the tower. And when 
he came to the chamber there as this 
lady was, the doors of iron imlocked 
and unbolted. And so Sir Launcelot 
went into the chamber that was as hot 
as any stew, and there Sir Launcelot 
took the fairest lady by the hand that 
ever he saw, and she was naked as a 
needle, and by enchantment queen Mor- 
gan le Fay and the queen of Northgalis 
had put her there in that pains because 
she was called the fairest lady of that 
country. And there she had been five 
years, and never might she be delivered 



out of her great pains unto the time the 
best knight of the world had taken her 
by the hand. Then the people brought 
her clothes. And when she was arrayed. 
Sir Launcelot thought she was the fairest 
lady of the world, but if it were queen 
Guenever. Then this lady said to Sir 
Launcelot, Sir, if it please you will ye 
go with me hereby into a chapel that 
we may give loving and thanking to 
God? Madam, said Sir Launcelot, 
Cometh on with me, I will go with you. 
So when they came there, and gave 
thankings to God, all the people, both 
learned and lay, gave thankings unto 
God and him, and said. Sir knight, since 
ye have delivered this lady, ye shall 
deliver us from a serpent that is here in 
a tomb. Then Sir Launcelot took his 
shield, and said. Bring me thither, and 
what I may do unto the pleasure of 
God and you, I will do. So when 
Sir Launcelot came thither, he saw 
written upon the tomb letters of gold 
that said thus : Here shall come a lib- 
bard of king's blood and he shall slay 
this serpent, and this libbard shall en- 
gender a lion in this foreign country, 
the which lion shall pass all other 
knights. So then Sir Launcelot lift up 
the tomb, and there came out an horri- 
ble and a fiendly dragon spitting fire 
out of his mouth. Then Sir Launcelot 
drew out his sword and fought with the 
dragon long, and at last with great pain 
Sir Launcelot slew that dragon. There- 
withal came king Pelles, the good and 
noble knight, and saluted Sir Launcelot, 
and he him again. Fair knight, said 
the king, what is your name ? I require 
you of your knighthood tell me. 

CHAP. n. 

How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and 
of the Sangreal, and of Elaine, king 
Pelles' daughter. 

Sir, said Launcelot, wit you well my 
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. And 
my name is, said the king, Pelles, king 
of the foreign country, and cousin nigh 
unto Joseph of Arimathie. And then 
either of them made much of other, and 



OF THE BIRTH OF GALAHAD. 



3^7 



so they Went into the castle to take 
their repast. And anon there came in a 
dove at a window, and in her mouth 
there seemed a little censer of gold. 
And therewithal there was such a savour 
as all the spicery of the world had been 
there. And forthwithal there was upon 
the table all manner of meats and drinks 
that they could think upon. So came in 
a damsel passing fair and young, and she 
bare a vessel of gold betwixt her hands, 
and thereto the king kneeled devoutly, 
and said his prayers, and so did all that 
were there. Then said Sir Launcelot, 
What may this mean? This is, said 
the king, the richest thing that any man 
hath living. And when this thing 
goeth about, the Round Table shall be 
broken. And wit thou well, said the 
king, this is the holy Sancgreal that 
ye have here seen. So the king and Sir 
Launcelot led their life the most part 
of that day. And fain would king 
Pelles have found the mean to have 
had Sir Launcelot to love his daughter 
fair Elaine, and for this intent : the 
king knew well that Sir Launcelot 
should have a child by his daughter, 
the which should be named Sir Gala- 
had, the good knight, by whom all the 
foreign country should be brought out 
of danger, and by him the holy Graale 
should be achieved. Then came forth 
a lady that hight dame Brisen, and she 
said unto tlie king. Sir, wit ye well, 
Sir Launcelot loveth no lady in the 
world but all only queen Guenever, and 
therefore work ye by counsel, and I 
shall make him to see your daughter 
Elaine, and he shall not wit but that he 
seeth queen Guenever. Oh, fair lady, 
dame Brisen, said the king, hope ye to 
bring this about? Sir, said she, upon 
pain of my life let me deal. For this 
Brisen was one of the greatest enchan- 
tresses that was that time in the world 
living. 

Then anon by dame Brisen's wit she 
made one to come to Sir Launcelot 
that he knew well. And this man 
brought him a ring from queen Gue- 
never like as it had come from her, and 
such one as she was wont for the most 



part to wear. And when Sir Launcelot 
saw that token, wit ye well he was 
never so fain. \Vhere is my lady ? said 
Sir Launcelot. She is in the castle of 
Case, said the messager, but five mile 
hence. Then Sir Launcelot thought to 
be there the same night. And then 
this Brisen, by the commandment of 
king Pelles, let send Elaine to this castle 
with twenty-five knights unto the castle 
of Case. Then Sir Launcelot rode unto 
that castle, and there anon he was re- 
ceived worshipfully with such people 
to his seeming as w'ere about queen 
Guenever. So when Sir Launcelot was 
alight, then dame Brisen brought him a 
cup full of wine, and as soon as he had 
drank that wine he was so assotted that 
he wend that maiden Elaine had been 
queen Guenever. Wit ye well that Sir 
Launcelot was glad, and so was that 
lady Elaine, for well she knew that of 
them should be born Sir Galahad, that 
should prove the best knight of the 
world. And then Sir Launcelot remem- 
bered him, and he arose up and went to 
the window. 

CHAP. in. 

How Sir Launcelot was displeased when 
he hiew that he had been deceived, and 
how Galahad was born. 

And anon as he had unshut the win- 
dow, the enchantment was gone, then 
he knew himself that he had been de- 
ceived. Alas, said he, that I have lived 
so long; now am I shamed. So then 
he gat his sword in his hand, and said, 
Thou traitress, who art thou ? thou 
shalt die right here of my hands. Then 
this fair lady, Elaine, kneeled down 
afore Sir Launcelot and said. Fair cour- 
teous knight, come of king's blood, I 
require you have mercy upon me ; and 
as thou art renowned the most noble 
knight of the world, slay me not, for I 
shall have a son by thee that shall be 
the most noblest knight of the world. 
Ah, false traitress, said Sir Launcelot, 
why hast thou betrayed me? Anon 
tell me what thou art. Sir, she said, I 
am Elaine, the daughter of king Pelles. 



328 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Well, said Sir Launcelot, I will forgive 
you this deed. And therewith he took 
her up in his arms and kissed her, for 
she was as fair a lady, and thereto young, 
and as wise as any was that time living. 
Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I may not 
blame this to you, but her that made this 
enchantment upon me, as between you 
and me ; and 1 may find her, that same 
lady Brisen, she shall lose her head for 
witchcraft, for there was never knight 
deceived so as I am. And so Sir Launce- 
lot armed him, and took his leave mildly 
at that lady, young Elaine, and so he 
departed. Then she said. My lord Sir 
Launcelot, I beseech you see me as soon 
as you may, for I have obeyed me unto 
the prophecy that my father told me, 
and by his commandment to fulfil this 
prophecy I have given the greatest 
riches and the fairest flower that ever I 
had, and that is my maiden love and 
faith, and therefore, gentle knight, owe 
me your good will. And so Sir Laun- 
celot arrayed him, and was armed, and 
took his leave mildly of that young lady 
Elaine, and so he departed, and rode till 
he came to the castle of Corbin where 
her father was. And as soon as her 
time came she was delivered of a fair 
cliild, and they christened him Galahad. 
And wit ye well that child was well 
kept and v/ell nourished, and he was 
named Galahad, because Sir Laun^ 
celot was so named at the fontain 
stone ; and after that, the Lady of the 
lake confirmed him Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. Then after this lady was delivered 
and churched there came a knight unto 
her, his name was Sir Brom.el la Pleche, 
the which was a great lord, and he had 
loved that lady long, and he evermore 
desired her to wed her, and so by 
no means she could put him off, till on 
a day she said to Sir Bromel, Wit thou 
well, sir knight, I will not love you, 
for my love is set upon the best knight 
of the world. Who is he? said Sir 
Bromel. Sir, said she, it is Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake that I love, and none other, 
and therefore woo me no longer. Ye say 
well, said Sir Bromel, and since ye have 
told me so much, ye shall have but little 



joy of Sir Launcelot, for I shall slay 
him wheresoever I meet him. Sir, said 
the lady Elaine, do to him no treason. 
Wit ye well, my lady, said Bromel, and 
I promise you this twelvemonth I shall 
keep the bridge of Corbin for Sir Laun- 
celot's sake, that he shall neither come 
nor go unto you but I shall meet with 
hini. 

CHAP. IV. 
Hoiv Sir Bors came to datne Elaine, and 
saw Galahad, and how he was fed with 
the Sangreal. 

Then, as it befel by fortune and adven- 
ture. Sir Bors de Ganis, that was nephew 
unto Sir Launcelot, came over that 
bridge, and there Sir Bromel and Sir Bors 
justed, and Sir Bors smote Sir Bromel 
such a buffet that he bare him over his 
horse croup. And then Sir Bromel, as an 
hardy knight, pulled out his sword and 
dressed his shield, to do battle with Sir 
Bors. And then Sir Bors alight and 
avoided his horse, and there they dashed 
together many sad strokes, and long 
thus they fought, till at the last Sir 
Bromel was laid to the earth, and there 
Sir Bors began to unlace his helm to 
slay him. Then Sir Bromel cried Sir 
Bors' mercy, and yielded him. Upon 
this covenant thou shalt have thy life, 
said Sir Bors, so thou go imto Sir 
Launcelot upon Whitsunday that next 
cometh, and yield thee unto him as 
knight recreant. I will do it, said Sir 
Bromel : and that he sware upon tlie 
cross of the sword, and so he let him 
depart. And Sir Bors rode unto king 
Pelles that was within Corbin. And 
when the king and Elaine his daughter 
wist that Sir Bors was nephew unto Sir 
Launcelot, they made him great cheer. 
Then said dame Elaine, We marvel 
where Sir Launcelot is, for he came 
never here but once. Marvel not, said 
Sir Bors, for this half year he hath been 
in prison with queen Morgan le Fay, 
king Arthur's sister. Alas, said dame 
Elaine, that me repenteth. And ever 
Sir Bors beheld that child in her arms, 
and ever him seemed it was passing like 
Sir Launcelot. Truly, said dame Elaine, 



OF KING PELLES AND SIR BORS. 



329 



wit ye well this is his child. Then Sir 
Bors wept for joy, and he prayed to God 
it might prove as good a knight as his 
father was. And so came in a white 
dove, and she bare a little censer of gold 
in her mouth, and there was all manner 
of meats and drinks, and a maiden bare 
that SaEcgreal, and she said openly, Wit 
you well Sir Bors that this child is Gala- 
had, that shall sit in the siege perilous, 
and achieve the Sancgreal, and he shall 
be much better than ever was Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, that is his own father. 
And then they kneeled down and made 
their devotions, and there was such a 
savour as all the spicery in the world 
had been there. And when the dove 
took her flight, the maiden vanished 
with the Sancgreal as she came. Sir, 
said Sir Bors unto king Pelles, this 
castle may be named the castle adven- 
turous, for here be many strange ad- 
ventures. That is soth, said the king. 
For well may this place be called the 
adventurous place, for there come but 
few knights here that go away with any 
worship ; be he never so strong, here he 
may be proved, and but late Sir Gawaine 
the good knight gat but little worship 
here. For I let you wit, said king 
Pelles, here shall no knight win no 
worship but if he be of worship himself, 
and of good living, and that loveth God, 
and dreadeth God, and else he getteth 
no worship here, be he never so hardy. 
That is a wonderful thing, said Sir Bors. 
What ye mean in this country I wot not, 
for ye have many strange adventures, 
and therefore I will lie in this castle this 
night. Ye shall not do so, said king 
Pelles, by my counsel, for it is hard and 
ye escape without a shame. I shall take 
the adventure that will befal me, said Sir 
Bors. Then I counsel you, said the king, 
to be confessed clean. As for that, said 
Sir Bors, I will be shriven with a good 
will. So Sir Bors was confessed, and for 
all women Sir Bors was a virgin, save 
for one, that was the daughter of king 
Brangoris, and their child hight Helin, 
and save for her Sir Bors was a pure 
maiden. And so he was led unto bed in a 
fair large chamber, and many doors were 



shut about the chamber. When Sir Bors 
espied all those doors, he avoided all 
the people, for he might have nobody 
with him ; but in no wise Sir Bors would 
unarm him, but so he laid him down 
upon the bed. And right so he saw 
come in a light that he might well see a 
spear great and long, that came straight 
upon him pointling, and to Sir Bors 
seemed that the head of the spear burnt 
like a taper. And anon, or Sir Bors 
wist, the spear head smote him into the 
shoulder an hand breadth in deepness, 
and that wound grieved Sir Bors passing 
sore. And then he laid him down again 
for pain, and anon therewithal came a 
knight armed with his shield on his 
shoulder, and his sword in his hand, 
and he bad Sir Bors, Arise sir knight, 
and fight with me. I am sore hurt, he 
said, but yet I shall not fail thee. And 
then Sir Bors start up and dressed his 
shield, and then they lashed together 
mightily a great while. And at the last 
Sir Bors bare him backward, until that 
he came unto a chamber door, and there 
that knight went into that chamber, and 
rested him a great while. And when 
he had reposed him he came out freshly 
again, and began new battle with Sir 
Bors mightily and strongly. 

CHAP. V. 

Hoiv Sir Bors made Sir Pedivere to yield 
him, and of marvellous adventures that 
he had, and how he achieved them. 
Then Sir Bors thought he should no 
more go into that chamber to rest him, 
and so Sir Bors dressed him betwixt 
the knight and that chamber door, and 
there Sir Bors smote him down, and 
then that knight yielded him. What 
is your name ? said Sir Bors. Sir, said 
he, my name is Pedivere of the Straight 
Marches. So wSir Bors made him 
to swear at Whitsunday next coming 
to be at the court of king Arthur and 
yield him there as a prisoner, as an over- 
come knight by the hands of Sir Bors. 
So thus departed Sir Pedivere of the 
Straight Marches. And then Sir Bors 
laid him down to rest, and then he 
heard and felt much noise in that 



33° 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



chamber; and then Sir Bors espied 
that there came in, lie wist not whether 
at the doors or windows, shot of arrows 
and of quarels, so thick that he marvelled, 
and many fell upon him and hurt him in 
the bare places. And then Sir Bors was 
ware where came in an hideous lion ; so 
Sir Bors dressed him unto the lion, and 
anon the lion bereft him of his shield, 
and with his sword Sir Bors smote off 
the lion's head. 

Right so Sir Bors forthwithal saw a 
dragon in the court, passing horrible, 
and there seemed letters of gold written 
in his forehead ; and Sir Bors thought 
that the letters made a signification of 
king Arthur. Right so there came an 
horrible libard and an old, and there 
they fought long, and did great battle 
together. And at the last the dragon 
spit out of his mouth as it had been 
an hundred dragons, and lightly all the 
small dragons slew the old dragon, and 
tare him all to pieces. Anon withal 
there came an old man into the hall, 
and he sat him down in a fair chair, 
and there seemed to be two adders 
about his neck, and then the old man 
had an harp, and there he sang an old 
song, how Joseph of Aramathie came 
into this land. Then when he had sung, 
the old man bad Sir Bors — Go from 
thence, for here shall ye have no more 
adventures, and full worshipfully have 
ye done, and better shall ye do here- 
after. And then Sir Bors seemed that 
there came the whitest dove with a little 
golden censer in her mouth ; and anon 
therewithal the tempest ceased and 
passed that afore was marvellous to 
hear. So was all that court full of 
good savours. Then Sir Bors saw four 
children bearing four fair tapers, and an 
old man in the midst of the children 
with a censer in his one hand, and a 
spear in his other hand, and that spear 
was called the spear of vengeance. 

CHAP. VI. 
How Sir Bors departed; and bow Sir 
Lmincelot was rebuked of queen Gue- 
never, and of his excuse. 
Now, said that old man to Sir Bors, 



go ye to your cousin Sir Launcelot, and 
tell him of this adventure, the which had 
been most convenient for him of all 
earthly knights, but sin is so foul in 
him he may not achieve such holy deeds ; 
for, had not been his sin, he had passed 
all the knights that ever were in his 
days. And tell thou Sir Launcelot, of 
all worldly adventures he passeth in 
manhood and prowess all other, but in 
these spiritual matters he shall have 
many his better. And then Sir Bors 
saw four gentlewomen coming by him 
poorly beseen, and he saw where that they 
entered into a chamber where was great 
light, as it were a summer light, and 
the M'omen kneeled down afore an altar 
of silver with four pillars, and as it had 
been a bishop kneeled down afore that 
table of silver. And as Sir Bors looked 
over his head, he saw a sword like 
silver, naked, hoving over his head, and 
the clearness thereof smote so in his 
eyes that at that time Sir Bors was 
blind, and there he heard a voice that 
said. Go hence, thou Sir Bors, for as yet 
thou art not worthy for to be in this 
place. And then he went backward to 
his bed till on the morn. And on the 
mom king Pelles made great joy of Sir 
Bors, and then he departed and rode to 
Camelot, and there he found Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, and told him of the 
adventures he had seen with king Pelles 
at Corbin. So the noise sprang in king 
Arthur's court that Sir Launcelot had a 
child by Elaine, the daughter of king 
Pelles, wherefore queen Guenever was 
wroth and gave many rebukes to Sir 
Launcelot, and called him false knight. 
And then Sir Launcelot told the queen 
all, and how he was made to meet 
her by enchantment, in likeness of the 
queen. So the queen held Sir Laun- 
celot excused. And, as the book saith, 
king Arthur had been in P'rance, and 
had made war upon the mighty king 
Claudas, and had won much of his 
lands ; and when the king was come 
again he let cry a great feast, that all 
lords and ladies of all England should 
be there, but if it were such as were 
rebellious against him. 



HOW DAME ELAINE CAME TO CAMELOT. 



331 



CHAP. VII. 

Hozv dame Elaine, Galahad's mother, came \ 
in great estate wito Camelot, and how 
Sir Lajincelot behaved hi?n there. 

And when dame Elaine, the daughter 
of king Pelles, heard of this feast, she 
went to her father, and required him 
that he would give her leave to ride to 
that feast. The king answered, I will 
well ye go thither ; but in any wise, as 
ye love me and will have my blessing, 
that ye be well beseen in the richest 
wise ; and look that ye spare not for no 
cost ; ask, and ye shall have all that 
you needeth. Then, by the advice of 
dame Brisen her maiden, all thing was 
apparelled unto the purpose, and there 
was never no lady more richlier beseen. 
So she rode with twenty knights and 
ten ladies and gentlewomen to the 
number of an hundred horses. And 
when she came to Camelot, king Arthur 
and queen Guenever said, and all the 
knights, that dame Elaine was the fair- 
est and the best beseen lady that ever 
was seen in that court. 

And anon as king Arthur wist that 
she was come, he met her and saluted 
her, and so did the most part of all the 
knights of the Round Table, both Sir 
Tristram, Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Ga- 
waine, and many more that I will not 
rehearse. But when Sir Launcelot saw 
her he was so ashamed, and that be- 
cause he drew his sword on her, that he 
would not salute her nor speak to her, 
and yet Sir Launcelot thought she was 
the fairest woman that ever he saw in 
his life days. But when dame Elaine 
saw Sir Launcelot that would not speak 
to her, she was so heavy that she wend 
her heart would have to-brast. For wit 
ye well, out of measure she loved him. 
And then Elaine said imto her woman 
dame Brisen, The unkindness of Sir 
Launcelot slayeth me near. Ah peace, 
madam, said dame Brisen, I will under- 
take that he shall come to you, and ye 
would hold you still. That were me 
lever, said dame Elaine, than all the 
gold that is above the earth. Let me 
deal, said dame Brisen. So when Elaine 



was brought unto queen Guenever, either 
made other good cheer by countenance, 
but nothing with hearts. But all men 
and women spake of the beauty of dame 
Elaine, and of her great riches. Then 
the queen commanded that dame Elaine 
should sleep in a chamber nigh unto 
her chamber, and all under one roof. 
And so it was done as the queen had 
commanded. Then the queen sent for 
Sir Launcelot, and bid him come to her, 
or else, I am sure, said the queen, that 
ye will go to your lady, dame Elaine, 
by whom ye had Galahad. Ah, madam, 
said Sir Launcelot, never say ye so ; for 
that was against my will. Then, said 
the queen, look that ye come to me 
when I send for you. Madam, said Sir 
Launcelot, I shall not fail you, but I 
shall be ready at your commandment. 
This bargain was soon done and 
made between them, but dame Brisen 
knew it by her crafts, and told it to her 
lady dame Elaine. Alas, said she, how 
shall I do. Let me deal, said dame 
Brisen, for I shall bring him by the 
hand, even to you, and he shall ween 
that I am queen Guenever's messager. 
Now well is me, said dame Elaine, for 
all the world I love not so much as I 
do Sir Launcelot. 

CHAP. vm. 

Holu dame Brisen by enchanttnent brought 
Sir Launcelot to dame Elaine, and how 
queen Guenever rebuked hifn. 

So then dame Brisen came to Sir 
Launcelot and said. Sir Launcelot du 
Lake, my lady queen Guenever awaiteth 
upon you. O my fair lady, said Sir 
Launcelot, I am ready to go with you 
where ye will have me. So Sir Launce- 
lot took his sword in his hand, and then 
dame Brisen took him by the finger and 
led him unto her lady, dame Elaine; 
and then she departed and left them to- 
gether. Wit ye well the lady was glad, 
and so was Sir Launcelot, for he wend 
that it was the queen. Then queen 
Guenever sent one of her women unto 
Sir Launcelot ; and when she came 
there, she found Sir Launcelot was 



332 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



away : so she came to the queen 
and told her all. Alas, said the 
queen, where is that false knight be- 
come? Then the queen was nigh out 
of her wit, and then she writhed and 
weltered as a mad woman ; and at the 
last the queen met with Sir Launcelot, 
and thus she said. False traitor knight 
that thou art, look thou never abide 
in my court, and not so hardy, thou 
false traitor knight that thou art, that 
ever thou come in my sight. Alas, said 
Sir Launcelot : and therewith he took 
such an heartly sorrow at her words 
that he fell down to the floor in a 
swoon. And therewithal queen Gue- 
never departed. And when Sir Laun- 
celot awoke of his swoon he lept out 
at a bay window into a garden, and 
there with thorns he was all to-scratched 
in his visage and his body, and so he 
ran forth he wist not whither, and was 
wild wood as ever was man ; and so he 
ran two year, and never man might 
have grace to know him. 

CHAP. IX. 

How dame Elaine was commanded by 
queen Gj/enever to avoid the cojirt, and 
how Sir Lauticelot became mad. 

Now turn we unto queen Guenever 
and to the fair lady Elaine. When dame 
Elaine heard the queen so to rebuke Sir 
Launcelot, and also she saw how he 
swooned, and how he lept out at a bay 
window, then she said unto queen Gue- 
never, Madam, ye are greatly to blame 
for Sir Launcelot, for now ye have lost 
him ; for I saw and heard by his coun- 
tenance that he is mad for ever. Alas, 
madam, ye do great sin, and to yourself 
great dishonour, for ye have a lord of 
your own, and therefore it is your part 
to love him ; for there is no queen in 
this world hath such another king as ye 
have. And if ye were not, I might have 
the love of my lord Sir Launcelot ; and 
cause I have to love him, for I am his, 
and by him I have borne a fair son, and 
his name is Galahad, and he shall be in 
his time the best knight of the world. 
Dame Elaine, said the queen, I charge you 



and command you to avoid my court; and 
for the love ye owe unto Sir Launcelot 
discover not his counsel, for and ye do 
it will be his death. As for that, said 
dame Elaine, I dare undertake he is 
marred for ever, and that have ye made, 
for ye nor I are like to rejoice him ; for 
i he made the most piteous groans when 
he lept out at yonder bay window that 
ever 1 heard man make. Alas ! said fair 
Elaine, and alas ! said the queen Gue- 
never, for now I wot well we have 
lost him for ever. So on the morn 
dame Elaine took her leave to depart, 
and she would no longer abide. Then 
king Arthur brought her on her way 
with more than an hundred knights 
through a forest. And by the way she 
told Sir Bors de Ganis all how it betid, 
and how Sir Launcelot lept out at a 
bay window araged out of his wit. 
Alas, said Sir Bors, where is my lord 
Sir Launcelot become ? Sir, said Elaine, 
I wot never. Alas, said Sir Bors, be- 
twixt you both ye have destroyed that 
good knight. As for me, said dame 
Elaine, I said never nor did never thing 
that should in any wise displease him ; 
but with the rebuke that queen Gue- 
never gave him 1 saw him swoon to the 
earth ; and when he awoke he took his 
sword in his hand, and lept out at a 
window, with the grisliest groan that 
ever I heard man make. Now farewell, 
dame Elaine, said Sir Bors, and hold 
my lord Arthur with a tale as long as 
ye can, for I will turn again unto queen 
Guenever and give her a heat : and I 
require you as ever ye will have my 
service, make good watch, and espy if 
ever ye may see my lord Sir Launcelot. 
Truly, said fair Elaine, I shall do all 
that I may do, for as fain would I know 
and wit where he is become as you or 
any of his kin, or queen Guenever, and 
cause great enough have I thereto as 
well as any other. And wit ye well, 
said fair Elaine to Sir Bors, I would lose 
my life for him rather than he should 
be hurt : but alas, I cast me never for to 
see him ; and the chief causer of this is 
dame Guenever. Madam, said dame 
Brisen, the which had made the en- 



OF THE SORROW FOR SIR LAUNCELOT. 



333 



chantment before betwixt Sir Launcelot 
and her, I pray you heartily let Sir Bors 
depart and hie him with all his might, 
as fast as he may, to seek Sir Launcelot. 
For I warn you he is clean out of his 
mind, and yet he shall be well holpen, 
and but by miracle. Then wept dame 
Elaine, and so did Sir Bors de Ganis, 
and so they departed; and Sir Bors 
rode straight unto queen Guenever, and 
when she saw Sir Bors she wept as she 
were wood. Fie on your weeping, said 
Sir Bors, for ye weep never but when 
there is no boot. Alas, said Sir Bors, 
that ever Sir Launcelot's kin saw you. 
For now have ye lost the best knight of 
our blood, and he that was all our 
leader and our succour. And I dare 
say and make it good, that all kings, 
christian nor heathen, may not find such 
a knight, for to speak of his nobleness 
and courtesy with his beauty and his 
gentleness. Alas, said Sir Bors, what 
shall we do that be of his blood ? Alas, 
said Ector de Maris. Alas, said Lionel. 

CHAP. X. 

What sorrow qtieen Guenever made for 
Sir Laimcelot, and how be was sought 
by blights of his kin. 

And when the queen heard them say 
so, she fell to the earth in a dead swoon. 
And then Sir Bors took her up, and 
roused her, and when she was awaked she 
kneeled afore the three knights, and held 
up both her hands, and besought them 
to seek him, and spare not for no goods 
but that he be founden, for I wot he is 
out of his mind. And Sir Bors, Sir Ector, 
and Sir Lionel departed from the queen, 
for they might not abide no longer for 
sorrow. And then the queen sent them 
treasure enough for their expenses, and 
so they took their horses and their 
armour, and departed. And then they 
rode from country to country, in forests 
and in wildernesses and in wastes, and 
ever they laid watch as well both at 
forests and at all manner of men as they 
rode, to hearken and enquire after him, 
as he that was a naked man in his shirt, 
with a sword in his hand. And thus 



they rode nigh a quarter of a year, 
endlong and overthwart, in many places, 
forests and wildernesses, and oft times 
were evil lodged for his sake, and yet 
for all their labour and seeking could 
they never hear word of him. And wit 
you well these three knights were passing 
sorry. Then at the last Sir Bors and 
his fellows met with a knight, that hight 
Sir Melion de Tartare. Now, fair knight, 
said Sir Bors, whither be ye away ? for 
they knew either other aforetime. Sir, 
said Sir Melion, I am in the way toward 
the court of king Arthur. Then we 
pray you, said Sir Bors, that ye will tell 
my lord Arthur, and my lady queen 
Guenever, and all the fellowship of the 
Round Table, that w^e cannot in no 
wise hear tell Avhere Sir Launcelot is 
become. Then Sir Melion departed 
from them, and said that he would tell 
the king and the queen and all the 
fellowship of the Round Table, as they 
had desired him. So when Sir Melion 
came to the court of king Arthur, 
he told the king and the queen and all 
the fellowship of the Round Table, what 
Sir Bors had said of Sir Launcelot. 
Then Sir Gawaine, Sir Uwaine, Sir 
Sagramor le Desirous, Sir Aglovale, and 
Sir Percivale de Galis, took upon them 
by the great desire of king Arthur, and 
in especial by the queen, to seek through- 
out all England, Wales, and Scotland, 
to find Sir Launcelot. And with them 
rode eighteen knights more to bear 
them fellowship. And wit ye well 
they lacked no manner of spending: 
and so were they three and twenty 
knights. 

Now turn we to Sir Launcelot, and 
speak we of his care and woe and what 
pain he there endured, for cold, hunger, 
and thirst he had plenty. And thus as 
these noble knights rode together, they 
by one assent departed, and then they 
rode by two, by three, and by four, and by 
five ; and ever they assigned where they 
should meet. And so Sir Aglovale and 
Sir Percivale rode together unto their 
mother that was a queen in those days. 
And when she saw her two sons, for 
joy she wept tenderly. And then she 



334 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



said, Ah, my dear sons, when your 
father was slain he left me four sons, of 
the which now be twain slain ; and for 
the death of my noble son Sir Lamorak 
shall my heart never be glad. And 
then she kneeled down upon her knees 
tofore Aglovale and Sir Percivale, and 
besought them to abide at home with 
her. Ah, sweet mother, said Sir Per- 
civale, we may not ; for we be come 
of king's blood of both parties, and 
therefore, mother, it is our kind to 
haunt arms and noble deeds. Alas, my 
sweet sons, then she said, for your sakes 
I shall lose my liking and joy, and then 
wind and weather I may not endure, 
what for the death of your father king 
Pellinore, that was shamefully slain by 
the hands of Sir Gawaine and his brother 
Sir Gaheris, and they slew him not 
manly, but by treason. All, my dear 
sons, this is a piteous complaint for me 
of your father's death, considering also 
the death of Sir Lamorak, that of 
knighthood had but few fellows. Now, 
my dear sons, have this in your mind. 
Then there was but weeping and sob- 
bing in the court when they should 
depart, and she fell in swooning in 
midst of the court. 

CHAP. XL 

How a servant of Sir Aglovale' s was slain, 
and what vengeance Sir Aglovale and 
Sir Percivale did therefore. 

And when she was awaked she sent a 
squire after them with spending enough. 
And so when the squire had overtaken 
Ihem, they would not suffer him to ride 
with them, but sent him home again to 
comfort their mother, praying her meekly 
of her blessing. And so this squire was 
benighted, and by misfortune he hap- 
pened to come unto a castle where 
dwelled a baron. And so when the 
squire was come into the castle, the lord 
asked him from whence he came, and 
whom he served? My lord, said the 
squire, I serve a good knight that is 
called Sir Aglovale. The squire said it 
to good intent, weening unto him to 
have been more forborne for Sir Agio- 



vale's sake than if he had said he had 
served the queen, Aglovale's mother. 
Well, my fellow, said the lord of that 
castle, for Sir Aglovale's sake thou shalt 
have evil lodging, for Aglovale slew my 
brother, and therefore thou shalt die on 
part of payment. And then that lord 
I commanded his men to have him away, 
I and so pulled him out of the castle, and 
there they slew him without mercy. 
Right so on the morn came Sir Aglo- 
vale and Sir Percivale riding by a 
church-yard, where men and women 
were busy, and beheld the dead squire, 
and they thought to bury him. What 
is there, said Sir Aglovale, that ye be- 
hold so fast ? A good man start forth 
and said. Fair knight, here lieth a 
squire slain shamefully this night. How 
was he slain, fair fellow ? said Sir Aglo- 
vale. My fair sir, said the man, the 
lord of this castle lodged this squire this 
night, and because he said he was ser- 
vant unto a good knight that is with 
king Arthur, his name is Sir Aglovale, 
therefore the lord commanded to slay 
him, and for this cause is he slain. 
Gramercy, said Sir Aglovale, and ye 
shall see his death revenged lightly, for 
I am that same knight for whom this 
squire was slain. Tlien Sir Aglovale 
called unto him Sir Percivale, and bad 
him alight lightly, and so they alight 
both, and betook their horses to their 
men. and so they went on foot into the 
castle. And all so soon as they were J 
within the castle gate Sir Aglovale bad | 
the porter. Go thou unto thy lord and 3 
tell him that I am Sir Aglovale, for 1 
whom this squire was slain this night. ' 
Anon the porter told this to his lord, 
whose name was Goodewin : anon he 
armed him, and then he came into the 
court and said. Which of you is Sir 
Aglovale ? Here I am, said Aglovale : 
for what cause slewest thou this night 
my mother's squire ? I slew him, said Sir 
Goodewin, because of thee; forthouslew- ; 
est my brother Sir Gawdelin. As for thy ^ 
brother, said Sir Aglovale, I avow it, I 
slew him, for he was a false knight and 
a betrayer of ladies and of good knights ; 
and for the death of my squire thou 



OF SIR PERCIVALE AND HIS BROTHER. 



335 



shalt die. I defy thee, said Sir Goode- 
win. Then they lashed together as 
eagerly as it had been two lions : and 
Sir Percivale he fought with all the 
remnant that would fight. And within 
a while Sir Percivale had slain all that 
would withstand him ; for Sir Percivale 
dealt so his strokes that were so rude 
that there durst no man abide him. 
And within a w^hile Sir Aglovale had 
Sir Goodewin at the earth, and there he 
unlaced his helm and strake off his 
head. And then they departed and took 
their horses. And then they let cany 
the dead squire unto a priory, and there 
they interred him. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Percivale departed secretly from 
his brother, and how he loosed a knight 
bound with a chain, and of other things. 

And when this was done, they rode 
into many countries, ever enquiring after 
Sir Launcelot, but never they could hear 
of him. And at the last they came to a 
castle that hight Cardican, and there 
Sir Percivale and Sir Aglovale were 
lodged together, and privily about 
midnight Sir Percivale came to Agio- 
vale's squire, and said. Arise and make 
thee ready, for ye and I will ride away 
secretly. Sir, said the squire, I would 
full fain ride with you where ye would 
have me, but, and my lord your brother 
take me, he will slay me. As for that j 
care thou not, for I shall be thy war- 
rant. And so Sir Percivale rode till it j 
was afternoon, and then he came upon 
a bridge of stone, and there he found a 
knight that was bounden with a chain 
fast about the waist unto a pillar of 
I stone. O fair knight, said that bounden 
knight, I require thee loose me of my 
bonds. What knight are ye ? said Sir 
Percivale, and for what cause are ye so 
bounden? Sir, I shall tell you, said 
that knight ; I am a knight of the Table 
Round, and my name is Sir Persides, 
and thus by adventure I came this way, 
and here I lodged in this castle at the 
bridge foot, and therein dwelleth an 
uncourteous lady, and because she prof- 



fered me to be her paramour and I re- 
fused her, she set her men upon me 
suddenly or ever I might come to my 
weapon, and thus they bound me, and 
here I wot well I shall die, but if some 
man of worship break my bands. Be 
ye of good cheer, said Sir Percivale, and 
because ye are a knight of the Round 
Table as wxll as I, 1 trust to God to 
break your bands. And therewith Sir 
Percivale drew out his sword, and strake 
at the chain with such a might that he 
cut a-two the chain, and through Sir 
Persides' hauberk, and hurt him a little. 
Truly, said Sir Persides, that was a 
mighty stroke as ever I felt one, for had 
not the chain been, ye had slain me. 
And therewithal Sir Persides saw a 
knight coming out of the castle all that 
ever he might flying. Beware Sir, said 
Sir Persides, yonder cometh a man 
that will have ado with you. Let him 
come, said Sir Percivale, and so he met 
with that knight in the midst of the 
bridge, and Sir Percivale gave him such 
a buffet that he smote him quite from 
his horse, and over a part of the bridge, 
that had not been a little vessel under 
the bridge that knight had been drowned. 
And then Sir Percivale took the knight's 
horse, and made Sir Persides to mount 
upon him, and so they rode unto the 
castle, and bad the lady deliver Sir 
Persides' servants, or else he would slay 
all that ever he found. And so for fear 
she delivered them all. Then was Sir 
Percivale ware of a lady that stood in 
that tower. Ah, madam, said Sir Per- 
civale, what use and custom is that in 
a lady to destroy good knights but if 
they will be your paramour ? forsooth 
this is a shameful custom of a lady. 
And if I had not a great matter in my 
hand, I should foredo your evil customs. 
And so Sir Persides brought Sir Per- 
civale unto his own castle, and there he 
made him great cheer all that night. 
And on the morn, when Sir Percivale 
had heard mass and broken his fast, 
he bad Sir Persides, Ride unto king 
Arthur, and tell the king how that ye 
met with me, and tell my brother Sir 
Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid 



33^ 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



him seek not after me, for I am in the 
quest to seek Sir Launcelot du Lake. 
And though he seek me he shall not 
find me, and tell him I will never see 
him, nor the court, till I have found 
Sir Launcelot. Also tell Sir Kay the se- 
neschal, and to Sir Mordred, that I trust 
to God to be of as great worthiness as 
either of them. For tell them I shall 
never forget their mocks and scorns 
that they did to me that day that I was 
made knight. And tell them I will 
never see that court till men speak more 
worship of me than ever men did of any 
of them both. And so Sir Persides 
departed from Sir Percivale, and then 
he rode unto king Arthur, and told 
there of Sir Percivale. And when Sir 
Aglovale heard him speak of his brother 
Sir Percivale, he said, He departed from 
me unkindly. Sir, said Sir Persides, on 
my life he shall prove a noble knight 
as any now is living. And when he saw 
Sir Kay and Sir Mordred, Sir Persides 
said thus : My fair lords both. Sir Per- 
civale greeteth you well both, and he 
sent you word by me that he trusteth to 
God or ever he come to the court again 
to be of as great nobleness as ever were 
ye both, and more men to speak of his 
nobleness than ever they did you. It 
may well be, said Sir Kay and Sir 
Mordred, but at that time when he was 
made knight he was full unlikely to 
prove a good knight. As for that, said 
king Arthur, he must needs prove a 
good knight, for his father and his 
brethren were noble knights. 

CHAP. xin. 

How Sir Percivale met ivitb Sir Ector, 
and how they fought long, and each 
had altnost slain other. 

And now will we turn unto Sir Perci- 
vale that rode long, and in a forest he 
met a knight with a broken shield and 
a broken helm, and as soon as either 
saw other readily, they made them ready 
to just, and so hurtled together with all 
the might of their horses, and met to- 
gether so hard that Sir Percivale was 
smitten to the earth. And then Sir Per- 



civale arose lightly and cast his shield 
on his shoulder and drew his sword, and 
bad the other knight alight, and do we 
battle to the uttermost. Will ye more ? 
said that knight, and therewith he alight 
and put his horse from him, and then 
they came together an easy pace, and 
there they lashed together with noble 
swords, and sometime they stroke, and 
sometime they foined, and either gave 
other many great wounds. Thus they 
fought near half a day, and never rested 
but right little, and there was none of 
them both that had less wounds than fif- 
teen, and they bled so much that it was 
marvel they stood on their feet. But this 
knight that fought with Sir Percivale 
was a proved knight and a wise fighting 
knight, and Sir Percivale was young and 
strong, not knowing in fighting as the 
other was. Then Sir Percivale spake 
first, and said. Sir knight, hold thy hand 
a while still, for we have foughten for a 
simple matter and quarrel over long, 
and therefore I require thee tell me thy 
name, for I was never or this time 
matched. Truly, said that knight, and 
never or this time was there never knight 
that wounded me so sore as thou hast 
done, and yet have I foughten in many 
battles ; and now shalt thou wit that I 
am a knight of the Table Round, and my 
name is Sir Ector de Maris, brother 
unto the good knight Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. Alas, said Sir Percivale, and my 
name is Sir Percivale de Galis, that 
hath made my quest to seek Sir Laun- 
celot ; now I am siker that I shall never 
finish my quest, for ye have slain me 
with your hands. It is not so, said Sir I 
Ector, for I am slain by your hands, and j 
may not live ; therefore I require you, j 
said Sir Ector unto Sir Percivale, ride ( 
ye hereby to a priory, and bring me a 
priest that I may receive my Saviour, 
for I may not live. And when ye come 
to the court of king Arthur, tell not my 
brother Sir Launcelot how that ye 
slew me, for then he would be your 
mortal enemy ; but ye may say that I 
was slain in my quest as I sought him. 
Alas, said Sir Percivale, ye say that 
thing that never will be, for I am so 



CHAP. XIV. 



HOW THEV WERE BOTH MADE WHOLE. 



337 



faint for bleeding that I may scarcely 
stand ; how should I then take my 
horse ? 

CHAP. XIV. 

How by miracle they were both made ivhole, 
by the coming of the holy vessel oj Sa?i- 
greal. 

Then they made both great dole out 
of measure. This will not avail, said 
Percivale. And then he kneeled down 
and made his prayer devoutly unto 
Almighty Jesu ; for he was one of the 
best knights of the world that at that 
time was, in whom the very faith stood 
most in. Right so there came by, the 
holy vessel of the Sancgreal with all 
manner of sweetness and savour, but 
they could not readily see who that 
bare that vessel, but Sir Percivale had a 
glimmering of the vessel, and of the 
maiden that bare it, for he was a perfect 
clean maiden. And forthwithal they both 
were as whole of hide and limb as ever 
they were in their life days ; then they 



ttoclft]^ boofe. 
®:6e ^fcoelftl^ 23oofe. 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Laimcelot in his madness took a 
sword and fojight with a hiight, and 
after lept into a bed. 

And now leave we of a while of Sir 
Ector and of Sir Percivale, and speak 
we of Sir Launcelot, that suffered and 
endured many sharp showers, that ever 
ran wild wood from place to place, and 
lived by fruit and such as he might get, 
and drank water two year, and other 
clothing had he but little but his shirt 
and his breeches. Thus as Sir Launce- 
lot wandered here and there, he came in 
a fair meadow where he found a pavi- 



lion, and there by upon a tree there hung 
a white shield, and two swords hung 
thereby, and two spears leaned there by 
a tree. And when Sir Launcelot saw 
the swords, anon he lept to the one 
sword, and took it in his hand and drew 
it out. And then he lashed at the shield 
that all the meadow rang of the dints, 
that he gave such a noise as ten knights 
had foughten together. Then came forth 
a dwarf and lept unto Sir Launcelot, and 
would have had the sword out of his 
hand, and then Sir Launcelot took him 
by the both shoulders, and threw him to 
the ground upon his neck, that he had 
almost broken his neck, and therewithal 



gave thankings to God with great mild- j 
ness. O Jesu ! said Sir Percivale, what j 
may this mean that we be thus healed, j 
and right now we were at the point of | 
dying ? I wot full well, said Sir Ector, 
what it is. It is an holy vessel that is 
borne by a maiden, and therein is a part of 
the holy blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
blessed might He be ! but it may not be 
seen, said Sir Ector, but if it be by a 
perfect man. Truly, said Sir Percivale, 
1 saw a damsel, as me thought, all in 
white, with a vessel in both her hands, 
and forthwithal I was whole. So then 
they took their horses and their harness, 
and amended their harness as well as 
they might that was broken, and so 
they mounted upon their horses and 
rode talking together. And there Sir 
Ector de Maris told Sir Percivale how 
he had sought his brother Sir Launcelot 
long, and never could hear witting of 
him : — In many strange adventures have 
I been in this quest. And so either told 
other of their adventures. 



22 



338 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



the dwarf cried, Help. Then came forth 
a likely knight, and well apparelled in 
scarlet furred with meniver. And anon 
as he saw Sir Launcelot, he deemed that 
he should be out of his wit : and then he 
said with fair speech, Good man, lay 
down that sword, for, as me seemeth, 
thou hast more need of sleep, and of 
warm clothes, than to wield that sword. 
As for that, said Sir Launcelot, come 
not too nigh ; for, and thou do, wit thou 
well I will slay thee. And when the 
knight of the pavilion saw that, he start 
backward within the' pavilion. And 
then the dwarf armed him lightly, and 
so the knight thought by force and 
might to take the sword from Sir Laun- 
celot, and so he came stepping out, and 
when Sir Launcelot saw him come so 
all armed with his sword in his hand, 
then Sir Launcelot flew to him with 
such a might, and hit him upon the 
helm such a buffet that the stroke 
troubled his brains, and therewith the 
sword brake in three. And the knight 
fell to the earth as he had been dead, 
the blood brasting out of his mouth, 
the nose, and the ears. And then Sir 
Launcelot ran into the pavilion, and 
rushed even into the warm bed: and 
there was a lady in that bed, and she 
gat her smock, and ran out of the pavi- 
lion. And when she saw her lord lie on 
the ground like to be dead, then she 
cried and wept as she had been mad. 
Then with her noise the knight awaked 
out of his swoon, and looked up weakly 
with his eyes, and then he asked her 
where was that mad man that had given 
him such a buffet ? for such a buffet had 
I never of man's hand. Sir, said the 
dwarf, it is not worship to hurt him, for 
he is a man out of his wit, and doubt ye 
not he hath been a man of great wor- 
ship, and for some heartly sorrow that 
he hath taken he is fallen mad : and me 
seemeth, said the dwarf, he resembleth 
much unto Sir Launcelot ; for him I 
saw at the great tournament beside 
Lonazep. Jesu defend, said that knight, 
that ever that noble knight Sir Launce- 
lot should be in such a plight. But 
whatsoever he be, said that knight, harm 



will I none do him. And this knight's 
name was Bliant. Then he said unto 
the dwarf. Go thou fast on horseback 
unto my brother Sir Selivant, that is at 
the Castle Blank, and tell him of mine 
adventure, and bid him bring with him 
an horse-litter, and then will we bear 
this knight unto my castle. 

CHAP. n. 

How Sir Launcelot was carried in a horse- 
litler, and hoiu Sir Launcelot rescued 
Sir Bliant his host. 

So the dwarf rode fast, and he came 
again and brought Sir Selivant with 
him, and six men with an horse-litter. 
And so they took up the feather-bed 
with Sir Launcelot, and so carried all 
away with them unto the Castle Blank, 
and he never awaked till he was within 
the castle. And then they bound his 
hands and his feet, and gave him good 
meats and good drinks, and brought 
him again to his strength and his fair- 
ness, but in his wit they could not bring 
him again, nor to know himself. Thus 
was Sir Launcelot there more than a 
year and an half, honestly arrayed, and 
fair fared withal. Then upon a day 
this lord of that castle, Sir 131iant, took 
his arms on horseback with a spear to 
seek adventures. And as he rode in a 
forest there met him two knights adven- 
turous. The one was Breuse Sance Pite, 
and his brother, Sir Bertelot, and these 
two ran both at once upon Sir Bliant, 
and brake their spears upon his body. 
And then they drew out swords, and 
made great battle, and fought long to- 
gether. But at the last Sir Bliant was 
sore wounded, and felt himself faint, and 
then he fled on horseback tow^ard his 
castle. And they came hurling under 
the castle where as Sir Launcelot lay in 
a window, and saw how two knights 
laid upon Sir Bliant with their swords. 
And when Sir Launcelot saw that, yet 
as wood as he was, he was sorry for his 
lord Sir Bliant. And then Sir Launcelot 
brake his chains from his legs and off his 
arms, and in the breaking he hurt his 
hands sore : and so Sir Launcelot ran out 



OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S MADNESS. 



339 



at a postern, and there he met with the 
two knights that chased Sir Bliant, and 
there he pulled down Sir Bertelot with 
his bare hands from his horse, and there- 
withal he wrothe his sword out of his 
hands, and so he lept unto Sir Breuse, 
and gave him such a buffet upon the 
head that he tumbled backward over 
his horse croup. And when Sir Bertelot 
saw there his brother have such a fall, 
he gat a spear in his hand, and would 
have run Sir Launcelot through. That 
saw Sir Bliant, and strake off the hand 
of Sir Bertelot : and then Sir Breuse and 
Sir Bertelot gat their horses and fled 
away. When Sir Selivant came, and 
saw what Sir Launcelot had done for 
his brother, then he thanked God, and 
so did his brother, that ever they did 
him any good. But when Sir Bliant 
saw that Sir Launcelot was hurt with 
the breaking of his irons, then was he 
hea\'}' that ever he bound him. Bind 
him no more, said Sir Selivant, for he 
is happy and gracious. Then they m.ade 
great joy of Sir Launcelot, and they 
bound him no more. And so he abode 
there an half year and more. And on 
the morn early. Sir Launcelot was ware 
where came a great boar with many 
hounds nigh him. But the boar was so 
big there might no hounds tear him, and 
the hunters came after blowing their 
horns, both on horseback and on foot : 
and then Sir Launcelot was ware where 
one alight, and tied his horse to a tree, 
and leaned his spear against the tree. 

CHAP. IIL 

How Sir Larmcelot foright against a boar 
and slew hi7n, and how he was hurt, and 
brought unto an hermitage. 

So came Sir Launcelot, and found the 
horse bounden till a tree, and a spear 
leaning against a tree, and a sword tied 
to the saddle bow. And then Sir Laun- 
celot lept into the saddle, and gat that 
spear in his hand, and then he rode after 
the boar. And then Sir Launcelot was 
ware where the boar set his back to a 
tree, fast by an hermitage. Then Sir 
Launcelot ran at the boar with his 



spear. And therewith the boar turned 
him nimbly, and rove out the lungs and 
the heart of the horse, so that Launcelot 
fell to the earth, and or ever Sir Laun- 
celot might get from the horse, the boar 
rove him on the brawn of the thigh, 
up to the hough bone. And then Sir 
I Launcelot was wroth, and up he gat 
I upon his feet, and drew his sword, and 
he smote off the boar's head at one 
stroke. And therewithal came out the 
hermit, and saw him have such a 
wound ; then the hermit came to Sir 
Launcelot and bemoaned him, and 
would have had him home unto his 
hermitage. But when Sir Launcelot 
heard him speak, he was so wroth with 
his wound that he ran upon the hermit 
to have slain him, and the hermit ran 
away, and when Sir Launcelot might 
not overget him he threw his sword 
after him, for Sir Launcelot might go no 
farther for bleeding. Then the hermit 
turned again, and asked Sir Launcelot 
how he was hurt. Fellow, said Sir 
Launcelot, this boar hath bitten me 
sore. Then come with me, said the 
hermit, and I shall heal you. Go thy 
way, said Sir Launcelot, and deal not 
with me. Then the hermit ran his way, 
and there he met with a good knight 
with many men. Sir, said the heiTnit, 
here is fast by my place the goodliest 
man that ever I saw, and he is sore 
wounded with a boar, and yet he hath 
slain the boar. But well I wot, said 
the hermit, and he be not holpen, that 
goodly man shall die of that wound, 
and that were great pity. Then that 
knight, at the desire of the hermit, gat 
a cart, and in that cart that knight put 
the boar and Sir Launcelot, for Sir 
Launcelot was so feeble that they might 
right easily deal with him. And so Sir 
Launcelot was brought unto the her- 
mitage, and there the hermit healed him 
of his wound. But the hermit might 
not find Sir Launcelot 's sustenance, and 
so he impaired and waxed feeble, both 
of his body and of his wit, for the de- 
fault of his sustenance: he waxed more 
wooder than he was aforehand. And 
then, upon a day. Sir Launcelot ran his 



340 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



way into the forest, and by adventure he 
came to the city of Corbin where dame 
Elaine was, that bare Galahad, Sir 
Launcelot's son. And so when lie was 
entered into the town, he ran through 
the town to the castle, and then all the 
young men of that city ran after S.r 
Launcelot, and there they threw turves 
at him, and gave him many sad strokes. 
And ever as Sir Launcelot might over- 
reach any of them he threw them, so that 
they would never come in his hands no 
more, for of some he brake the legs and 
arms, and so fled into the castle, and 
then came out knights and squires and 
rescued Sir Launcelot. And when they 
beheld him, and looked upon his person, 
they thought they saw never so goodly 
a man. And when they saw so many 
wounds upon him, all they deemed that 
he had been a man of worship. And 
then they ordained him clothes to his 
body, and straw underneath him, and a 
little house. And then every day they 
would throw him meat, and set him 
drink, but there was but few would 
bring meat to his hands, 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Launcelot was known by dame 
Elaine, and was borne into a chamber, 
and after healed by the Sangreal. 

So it befel, that king Pelles had a 
nephew, his name was Castor, and so he 
desired of the king to be made knight, 
and so at the request of this Castor, the 
king made him knight at the feast of 
Candlemas. And when Sir Castor was 
made knight, that same day he gave 
many gowns. And then Sir Castor sent 
for the fool, that was Sir Launcelot. 
And when he was come afore Sir Castor, 
he gave Sir Launcelot a robe of scarlet 
and all that belonged unto him. And 
when Sir Launcelot was so arrayed like 
a knight, he was the seemliest man in 
all the court, and none so well made. 
So when he saw his time he went into 
the garden, and there Sir Launcelot laid 
him down by a well and slept. And so 
at afternoon, dame Elaine and her 
maidens came into the garden to play 



them, and as they roamed up and down, 
one of dame Elaine's maidens espied 
where lay a goodly man by the well 
sleeping, and anon shewed him to dame 
Elaine. Peace, said dame Elaine, and 
say no word ; and then she brought 
dame Elaine where he lay. And when 
that she beheld him, anon she fell in re- 
membrance of him, and knew him verily 
for Sir Launcelot, and therewithal she 
fell on weeping so heartily that she sank 
even to the earth. And when she had 
thus wept a great while, then she arose 
and called her maidens, and said she 
was sick. And so she went out of the 
garden, and she went straight to her 
father, and there she took him apart by 
herself, and then she said. Oh father, 
now have I need of your help, and but 
if that ye help me, farewell my good 
days for ever. What is that, daughter ? 
said king Pelles. Sir, she said, thus is 
it : in your garden I went for to sport, 
and there by the well I found Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake sleeping. I may not be- 
lieve that, said king Pelles. Su", she 
said, truly he is there, and me seemeth 
he should be distract out of his wit. 
Then hold you still, said the king, and 
let me deal. Then the king called to 
him such as he most trusted, a four 
persons, and dame Elaine his daughter. 
And when they came to the well and 
beheld Sir Launcelot, anon dame Brisen 
knew him. Sir, said dame Brisen, we 
must be wise how we deal with him, for 
this knight is out of his mind, and if we 
awake him rudely, what he will do we 
all know not. But ye shall abide, and 
I shall throw such an enchantment 
upon him that he shall not awake 
within the space of an hour ; and so 
she did. Then within a little while 
after king Pelles commanded that all 
people should avoid, that none should 
be in that way there as the king would 
come. And so when this was done, 
these four men and these ladies laid 
hand on Sir Launcelot. And so they 
tare him into a tower, and so into a 
chamber where was the holy vessel of 
the Sancgreal, and by force Sir Launce- 
lot was laid by that holy vessel, and 



HOW HE WAS RECOVERED. 



341 



there came a holy man and uncovered 
that vessel, and so by miracle, and by 
virtue of that holy vessel, Sir Launcelot 
was healed and recovered. And when 
that he was awaked he groaned and 
sighed, and complained greatly that he 
was passing sore. 

CHAP. V. 

Hoiv Sir Launcelot, after that he was 
whole and had his mind, he was 
ashamed, and how that Elaine desired 
a castle for him. 

And when Sir Launcelot saw king 
Pelles and Elaine he waxed ashamed, 
and said thus : Oh Lord Jesu, how 
came I here ? For God's sake, my lord, 
let me wit how I came here ? Sir, said 
dame Elaine, into this country ye came 
like a mad man clean out of your wit. 
And here have ye been kept as a fool, 
and no creature here knew what ye 
were, until by fortune a maiden of mine 
brought me unto you, where as ye lay 
sleeping by a well, and anon, as I verily 
beheld you, I knew you. And then I 
told my father, and so were ye brought 
afore this holy vessel, and by the virtue 
of it thus were ye healed. O, said Sir 
Launcelot, if this be sooth, how many 
there be that know of my woodness. 
Truly, said Elaine, no more but my 
father and I and dame Brisen. Now, I 
pray you, said Sir Launcelot, keep it in 
counsel, and let no man know it in the 
world, for I am sore ashamed that I 
have been thus miscarried, for I am 
banished out of the country of Logris 
for ever, that is for to say, the country 
of England. And so Sir Launcelot lay 
more than a fortnight, or ever that he 
might stir for soreness. And then upon 
a day he said unto dame Elaine these 
words : Lady Elaine, for your sake I 
have had much travel, care, and anguish, 
it needeth not to rehearse it, ye know 
how. Notwithstanding I know well I 
have done foul to you, when that I drew 
my sword to you, for to have slain you. 
And all was the cause that ye and dame 
Brisen deceived me. That is truth, said 
dame Elaine. Now will ye for my love, 



said Sir Launcelot, go unto your father, 
and get me a place of him wherein I 
may dwell : for in the court of king 
Arthur may I never come. Sir, said 
dame Elaine, I will live and die with 
you, and only for your sake, and if my 
life might not avail you, and my death 
might avail you, wit ye well 1 would 
die for your sake. And I will go to my 
father, and I am sure there is nothing 
that I can desire of him but I shall have 
it. And where ye be, my lord Sir 
Launcelot, doubt ye not but I will be 
with you with all the service that I may 
do. So forthwithal she went to her 
father, and said. Sir, my lord Sir Laun- 
celot desireth to be here by you in some 
castle of yours. Well, daughter, said 
the king, sith it is his desire to abide in 
these marches, he shall be in the castle 
of Bliant, and there shall ye be with 
him, and twenty of the fairest ladies 
that be in this country, and they 
shall all be of the great blood ; and 
ye shall have ten knights with you. 
For, daughter, I will that ye wit 
we all be honoured by the blood of 
Sir L&uncelot. 

CHAP. VL 

How Sir Launcelot came into the Joyous 
Isle, and there he named hiimelf Le 
Chevaler Mai Fet. 

Then went dame Elaine unto Sir 
Launcelot, and told him all how her 
father had devised for him and her. 
Then came the knight Sir Castor, that 
was nephew unto king Pelles, imto Sir 
Launcelot, and asked him what was 
his name ? Sir, said Sir Launcelot, my 
name is Le Chevaler Mai Fet, that is to 
say, the knight that hath trespassed. 
Sir, said Sir Castor, it may well be so, 
but ever me seemeth your name should 
be Sir Launcelot du Lake, for or now I 
have seen you. Sir, said Launcelot, y6 
are not as a gentle knight : I put case 
my name were Sir Launcelot, and that 
it list me not to discover my name; 
what should it grieve you here to keep 
my counsel, and ye not hurt thereby? 
But wit thou well,' and ever it lie in my 



34^ 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



power I shall grieve you, and that I 
promise you truly. Then Sir Castor 
kneeled down and besought Sir Laun- 
celot of mercy : — For I shall never utter 
what ye be while that ye be in these 
parts. Then Sir Launcelot pardoned 
him. And then after this king Pelles 
with ten knights, and dame Elaine and 
twenty ladies, rode unto the castle of 
Bliant, that stood in an island enclosed 
in iron, with a fair water, deep and 
large. And when they were there Sir 
Launcelot let call it the Joyous Isle, and 
there was he called none otherwise but 
Le Chevaler Mai Fet, the knight that 
hath trespassed. Then Sir Launcelot 
let make him a shield all of sable, and a 
queen crowned in the midst all of silver, 
and a knight, clean armed, kneeling be- 
fore her; and every day once, for any 
mirths that all the ladies might make 
him, he would once every day look to- 
wards the realm of Logris where king 
Arthur and queen Guenever were. And 
then would he fall upon a weeping as 
though his heart should to-brast. So it 
fell that time that Sir Launcelot heard 
of a justing fast by his castle, within 
three leagues. Then he called unto him 
a dwarf, and he bade him go unto that 
justing, and, or ever the knights depart, 
look thou make there a cry in the hear- 
ing of all the knights, that there is one 
knight ip the Joyous Isle, that is the 
castle Bliant, and say that his name is 
Le Chevaler Mai Fet, that will just 
against knights that will come ; and 
who that putteth that knight to the 
worse shall have a fair maid and a jer- 
falcon. 

CHAP. VII. 

Of a great tourneying in the Joyous 
Isle, and how Sir Percivale and Sir 
Ector cattle thither, and Sir Percivale 
fotight wi:h him. 

So when this cry was made, unto 
Joyous Isle drew knights to the num- 
ber of five hundred. And wit ye well 
there was never seen in Arthur's days 
one knight that did so much deeds of 
arms as Sir Launcelot did three days 
together. For, as the book maketh 



truly mention, he had the better of all 
the five hundred knights, and there was 
not one slain of them. And after that 
Sir Launcelot made them all a great 
feast. And in the meanwhile came 
Sir Percivale de Galis and Sir Ector de 
Maris under that castle that was called 
the Joyous Isle. And as they beheld 
that gay castle they would have gone 
to that castle, but they might not for 
the broad water, and bridge could they 
find none. Then they saw on the other 
side a lady with a sperhawk in her 
hand, and Sir Percivale called unto her, 
and asked that lady who was in that 
castle. Fair knight, she said, here 
within this castle is the fairest lady in 
this land, and her name is Elaine. Also 
we have in this castle the fairest knight 
and the mightiest man that is, I dare 
say, living, and he calleth himself Le 
Chevaler Mai Fet. How came he into 
these marches? said Sir Percivale. 
Truly, said the damsel, he came into 
this country like a mad man, with dogs 
and boys chasing him through the city 
of Corbin ; and by the holy vessel of 
the Sancgreal he was brought into his 
wit again, but he will not do battle 
with no knight but by undorne or by 
noon. And if ye list to come into the 
castle, said the lady, ye must ride unto 
the further side of the castle, and there 
shall ye find a vessel that will bear you 
and your horse. Then they departed 
and came unto the vessel. An4 then 
Sir Percivale alight, and said to Sir 
Ector de Maris, Ye shall abide me 
here until that I wit what manner a 
knight he is. For it were shame unto 
us, inasmuch as he is but one knight, 
and we should both do battle with him. 
Do ye as ye list, said Sir Ector de 
Maris, and here I shall abide you until 
that I hear of you. Then passed Sir 
Percivale the water. And when he came 
to the castle-gate, he bad the porter. 
Go thou to the good knight within the 
castle, and tell him here is come an 
errant knight to just with him. Sir, 
said the porter, ride ye within the castle, 
and there is a common place for justing, 
that lords and ladies may behold you. 



HOW HE MET SIR PERCIVALE. 



343 



So anon as Sir Launcelot had warning, 
he was soon ready ; and there Sir Per- 
civale and Sir Launcelot encountered 
with such a might, and their spears 
were so rude, that both the horses and 
the knights fell to the earth. Then they 
avoided their horses and flang out noble 
swords, and hewed away cantels of 
their shields, and hurtled together with 
their shields like two boars, and either 
wounded other passing sore. At the 
last Sir Percivale spake first, when they 
had foughten there more than two 
hours. Fair knight, said Sir Percivale, 
I require thee tell me thy name, for I 
met never with such a knight. Sir, said 
Sir Launcelot, my name is Le Chevaler 
Mai Fet : now tell me your name, said 
Sir Launcelot, I require you gentle 
knight. Truly, said Sir Percivale, my 
name is Sir Percivale de Galis, that was 
brother unto the good knight Sir La- 
morak de Galis, and king Pellinore 
was our father, and Sir Aglovale is my 
brother. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, what 
have I done to fight with you that art 
a knight of the Table Round, that some- 
time was your fellow ! 

CHAP. VIIL 

How each of them hnew other, and of 
their great courtesy. And how his 
brother Sir Ector ca7ne unto him, 
and of their joy. 

And therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled 
down upon his knees, and threw away 
his shield and his sword from him. 
When Sir Percivale saw him do so, he 
marvelled what he meaned. And then 
thus he said, Sir knight, whatsoever 
thou be, I require thee upon the high 
order of knighthood tell me thy true 
name. Then he said. Truly my name 
is Sir Launcelot du Lake, king Ban's 
son of Benoy. Alas, said Sir Percivale, 
what have I done ! I was sent by the 
queen for to seek you, and so I have 
sought you nigh this two year; and 
yonder is Sir Ector de Maris your bro- 
ther abideth me on the other side of the 
yonder water. Now, said Sir Percivale, 
I pray you forgive me mine offence that 



I have here done. It is soon forgiven, 
said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Percivale 
sent for Sir Ector de Maris. And when 
Sir Launcelot had a sight of him, he 
ran unto him and took him in his arms, 
and then Sir Ector kneeled down and 
either wept upon other, that all had 
pity to behold them. Then came dame 
Elaine, and she there made them great 
cheer as might lie in her power; and 
there she told Sir Ector and Sir Perci- 
vale how and in what manner Sir Laun- 
celot came into that country, and how 
he was healed. And there it was known 
how long Sir Launcelot was with Sir 
Bliant and with Sir Selivant, and how 
he first met with them, and how he 
departed from them because of a boar ; 
and how the hermit healed Sir Launce- 
lot of his great wound, and how that 
he came to Corbin. 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Bors and Sir Lionel came to 
king Brandegore, and how Sir Bors 
took bis son Helin le Blank, and of 
Sir Launcelot. 

Now leave we Sir Launcelot in the 
Joyous Isle with the lady dame Elaine, 
and Sir Percivale and Sir Ector playing 
with them, and turn we to Sir Bors de 
Ganis and Sir Lionel, that had sought 
Sir Launcelot nigh by the space of two 
years, and never could they hear of 
him. And as they thus rode by adven- 
ture, they came to the house of Bran- 
degore, and there Sir Bors was well 
known, for he had a child of the king's 
daughter fifteen years before, and his 
name was Helin le Blank. And when 
Sir Bors saw that child it liked him 
passing well. And so those knights 
had good cheer of the king Brandegore. 
And on the morn Sir Bors came afore 
king Brandegore, and said. Here is my 
son Helin le Blank, that as it is said 
he is my son ; and since it is so, I will 
that ye wit I will have him with me 
unto the court of king Arthur. Sir, 
said the king, ye may well take him 
with you, but he is over tender of age. 
As for that, said Sir Bors, I will have 



344 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



him with me, and bring him to the 
house of most worship of the world. 
So when Sir Bors should depart, there 
was made great sorrow for the depart- 
ing of Helin le Blank, and great weeping 
was there made. But Sir Bors and Sir 
Lionel departed. And within a while 
they came to Camelot, where was king 
Arthur. And when king Arthur under- 
stood that Helin le Blank was Sir Bors' 
son, and nephew unto king Brande- 
gore, then king Arthur let him make 
knight of the Round Table ; and so he 
proved a good knight and an adven- 
turous. 

Now will we turn to our matter of 
Sir Launcelot, It befel upon a day 
Sir Ector and Sir Percivale came to 
Sir Launcelot and asked him what he 
would do, and whether he would go 
with them unto king Arthur or not? 
Nay, said Sir Launcelot, that may not 
be by no mean ; for I was so en- 
treated at the court that I cast me 
never to come there more. Sir, said 
Sir Ector, I am your brother, and ye 
are the man in the world that I love 
most, and if I understood that it were 
your disworship, ye may understand 
I would never counsel you thereto ; 
but king Arthur and all his knights, 
and in especial queen Guenever, made 
such dole and sorrow that it was marvel 
to hear and see. And ye must remem- 
ber the great worship and renown that 
ye be of, how that ye have been more 
spoken of than any other knight that 
is now living; for there is none that 
beareth the name now but ye and Sir 
Tristram ; therefore, brother, said Sir 
Ector, make you ready to ride to the 
court with us, and I dare say there was 
never knight better welcome to the 
court than ye : and I wot well, and can 
make it good, said Sir Ector, it hath 
cost my lady the queen twenty thousand 
pound the seeking of you. Well, bro- 
ther, said Sir Launcelot, I will do after 
your counsel, and ride with you. So 
then they took their horses, and made 
them ready, and took their leave at king 
Pelles and at dame Elaine. And when 
Sir Launcelot should depart, dame 



Elaine made great sorrow. My lord 
Sir Launcelot, said dame Elaine, at this 
same feast of Pentecost shall your son 
and mine, Galahad, be made knight, 
for he is fully now fifteen winter old. 
Do as ye list, said Sir Launcelot, God 
give him grace to prove a good knight. 
As for that, said dame Elaine, I doubt 
not he shall prove the best man of his 
kin, except one. Then shall he be a 
man good enough, said Sir Launcelot. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Launcelot with Sir Percivale arid 
Sir Ector came to the court, and of the 
great joy of hiiyi. 

Then they departed, and within five 
days' journey they came to Camelot, 
that is called in English, Winchester. 
And when Sir Launcelot was come 
among them, the king and all the 
knights made great joy of him. And 
there Sir Percivale de Galis and Sir 
Ector de Maris began and told the 
whole adventures, that Sir Launcelot 
had been out of his mind the time of 
his absence, how he called himself Le 
Chevaler Mai Fet, the knight that had 
trespassed, and in three days Sir Laun- 
celot smote down five hundred knights. 
And ever, as Sir Ector and Sir Percivale 
told these tales of Sir Launcelot, queen 
Guenever wept as she should have died. 
Then the queen made great cheer. Truly, 
said king Arthur, I marvel for what 
cause ye Sir L auncelot went out of your 
mind ? I and many others deem it was 
for the love of fair Elaine, the daughter 
of king Pelles, by whom ye are noised 
that ye have a child, and his name is 
Galahad ; and men say he shall do 
marvels. My lord, said Sir Launcelot, 
if I did any folly, I have that I sought. 
And therewithal the king spake no 
more ; but all Sir Launcelot's kin knew 
for whom he went out of his mind. 
And then there were great feasts made 
and great joy. And many great lords 
and ladies, when they heard that Sir 
Launcelot was come to the court again, 
they made great joy. 



OF SIR TRISTRAM AND SIR PALAMIDES. 



345 



CHAP. XI. 

Hovj La Beale Isoud counselled Sir Tris- 
tram to go unto (be court to the great 
feast of Pentecost. 

Now will we leave of this matter, and 
speak we of Sir Tristram and of Sir Pa- 
lamides, that was the Saracen unchris- 
tened. When Sir Tristram was come 
home unto Joyous Gard from his adven- 
tures, all this while that Sir Launcelot 
was thus missed two year and more, 
Sir Tristram bare the renown through all 
the realm of Logris, and many strange 
adventures befel him, and full well and 
manly and worshipfuUy he brought 
them to an end. So when he was come 
home, La Beale Isoud told him of the 
great feast that should be at Pentecost 
next following ; and there she told him 
how Sir Launcelot had been missed two 
years, and all that while he had been out 
of his mind, and how he was holpen by 
the holy vessel the Sancgreal. Alas, 
said Sir Tristram, that caused some de- 
bate betwixt him and queen Guenever. 
Sir, said dame Isoud, I know it all, for 
queen Guenever sent me a letter, in 
the which she wrote me all how it 
was, for to require you to seek him ; 
and now, blessed be God, said La 
Beale Isoud, he is whole and sound, 
and come again to the court. Thereof 
am I glad, said Sir Tristram, and now 
shall ye and I make us ready, for both 
ye and I will be at the feast. Sir, said 
Isoud, and it please you I will not be 
there, for through me ye be marked of 
many good knights, and that causeth 
you to have much more labour for my 
sake than needeth you. Then will I not 
be there, said Sir Tristram, but if ye 
be there. Not so, said La Beale Isoud, 
for then shall I be spoken of shame 
among all queens and ladies of estate, 
for ye that are called one of the noblest 
knights of the world, and ye a knight of 
the Round Table, how may ye be missed 
at that feast ? What shall be said among 
all knights? — See how Sir Tristram hunt- 
eth, and hawketh, and cowereth within 
a castle with his lady, and forsaketh 
your worship. Alas, shall some say, it 



is pity that ever he was made knight, or 
that ever he should have the love of a 
lady. Also what shall queens and ladies 
say of me ? — It is pity that I have my 
life, that I will hold so noble a knight 
as ye are from his worship. Truly, said 
Sir Tristram unto La Beale Isoud, it is 
passing well said of you, and nobly 
counselled, and now I well understand 
that ye love me ; and like as ye have 
counselled me, I will do a part there- 
after. But there shall no man nor child 
ride with me, but myself. And so will I 
ride on Tuesday next coming, and no 
more harness of war but my spear and 
my sword. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Tristram departed unarmed, and 
met with Sir Palamides, and hozv they 
smote each other, and how Sir Pala- 
mides forbare him. 

And so when the day came. Sir Tris- 
tram took his leave at La Beale Isoud ; 
and she sent with him four knights, and 
within half a mile he sent them again : 
and within a mile after Sir Tristram saw 
afore him where Sir Palamides had 
stricken down a knight, and almost 
wounded him to the death. Then Sir 
Tristram repented him that he was not 
armed, and then he hoved still. With 
that Sir Palamides knew Sir Tristram, 
and cried on high, Sir Tristram, now 
be we met, for or we depart we will 
redress our old sores ! As for that, said 
Sir Tristram, there was never yet Chris- 
tian man that might make his boast that 
ever I fled from him ; and wit ye well 
Sir Palamides, thou that art a Saracen 
shall never make thy boast that Sir 
Tristram de Liones shall flee from thee. 
And therewith Sir Tristram made his 
horse to run, and with all his might he 
came straight upon Sn* Palamides, and 
brast his spear upon him in an hundred 
pieces. And forthwithal Sir Tristram 
drew his sword. And then he turned 
his horse and struck at Palamides six 
great strokes upon his helm, and then 
Sir Palamides stood still and beheld Sir 
Tristram, and marvelled of his woodness 
and of his folly. And then Sir Palamides 



346 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



said to himself, And Sir Tristram were 
armed it were hard to cease him of this 
battle, and if I turn again and slay him 
I am shamed wheresoever that I go. 
Then Sir Tristram spake, and said, Thou 
coward knight, what easiest thou to 
do ? why wilt thou not do battle with 
me, for have thou no doubt I shall 
endure all thy malice. Ah, Sir Tristram, 
said Sir Palamides, full well thou wotest 
I may not fight with thee for shame, for 
thou art here naked, and I am armed, 
and if I slay thee dishonour shall be 
mine. And well thou wotest, said Sir 
Palamides to Sir Tristram, I know thy 
strength and thy hardiness to endure 
against a good knight. That is truth, 
said Sir Tristram, I understand thy 
valiantness well. Ye say well, said Sir 
Palamides, now I require you tell me a 
question that I shall say to you. Tell 
me what it is, said Sir Tristram, and I 
shall answer you the truth. I put the 
case, said Sir Palamides, that ye were 
armed at all rights as well as I am, and 
1 naked as ye be, what would ye do to 
me now by your true knighthood ? Ah, 
said Sir Tristram, now 1 understand thee 
well. Sir Palamides, for now must I say 
my own judgment, and, as God me 
bless, that I "shall say shall not be said 
for no fear that I have of thee. But this 
is all ; wit, Sir Palamides, as at this time 
thou shouldest depart from me, for I 
would not have ado with thee. No 
more will I, said Sir Palamides, and 
therefore ride forth on thy way. As for 
that I may choose, said Sir Tristram, 
either to ride or to abide. But Sir Pa- 
lamides, said Sir Tristram, I marvel of 
one thing, that thou that art so good a 
knight, that thou will not be christened, 
and thy brother Sir Safere hath been 
christened many a day. 

CHAP. XIII. 

How that Sir Tristram gat him harness of 
a knight which tuas hurt, and how he 
overthrew Sir Palamides. 

As for that, said Sir Palamides, I may 
not yet be christened, for one avow that 
I have made many years agone ; howbeit 



in my heart I believe in Jesus Christ 
and his mild mother Mary ; but I have 
but one battle to do, and when that is 
done I will be baptised with a good 
will. By my head, said Sir Tristram, as 
for one battle thou shalt not seek it no 
longer. For God defend, said Sir Tris- 
tram, that through my default thou 
shouldest longer live thus a Saracen. 
For yonder is a knight that ye. Sir 
Palamides, have hurt and smitten down ; 
now help me that I were armed in his 
armour, and I shall soon fulfil thine 
avows. As ye will, said Sir Palamides, 
so it shall be. So they rode unto that 
knight that sat upon a bank, and 
then Sir Tristram saluted him, and he 
weakly saluted him again. Sir knight, 
said Sir Tristram, I require you tell 
me your right name. Sir, he said, 
my name is Sir Gdleron of Galway, 
and knight of the Table Round. Truly, 
said Sir Tristram, I am right heavy 
of your hurts : but this is all, I must 
p ay you to lend me all your whole ar- 
mour, for ye see I am unarmed, and I 
must do battle with this knight. Sir, 
said the hurt knight, ye shall have it 
with a good will ; but ye must beware, 
for I warn you that knight is wight. 
Sir, said Galleron, I pray you tell me 
your name, and what is that knight's 
name that hath beaten me. Sir, as for 
my name, it is Sir Tristram de Liones, 
and as for the knight's name that hath 
hurt you, it is Sir Palamides, brother 
unto the good knight Sir Safere, and yet 
is Sir Palamides unchristened. Alas, 
said Sir Galleron, that is pity that so 
good a knight and so noble a man of 
arms should be unchristened. Truly, 
said Sir Tristram, either he shall slay 
me, or I him, but that he shall be 
christened or ever we depart in sunder. 
My lord Sir Tristram, said Sir Galleron, 
your renown and worship is well known 
through many realms, and God save you 
this day from shenship and shame. Then 
Sir Tristram unarmed Galleron,the which 
was a noble knight and had done many 
deeds of arms, and he was a large knight 
of flesh and bone. And when he was 
unarmed he stood upon his feet, for he 



HOW SIR PALAMIDES WAS CHRISTENED. 



347 



was bruised in the back with a spear ; 
yet, so as Sir Galleron might, he armed 
Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram 
mounted upon his own horse, and in his 
hand he gat Sir Galleron's spear. And 
therewithal Sir Palamides was ready, 
and so they came hurthng together, and 
either smote other in the midst of their 
shields, and therewithal Sir Palamides' 
spear brake, and Sir Tristram smote 
down the horse ; and then Sir Palamides, 
as soon as he might, avoided his horse, 
and dressed his shield, and pulled out 
his sword. That saw Sir Tristram, and 
therewith he alight, and tied his horse to 
a tree. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides 
fought long together, arid after accorded; 

and how Sir Tristram made him to be 

christened. 

And then they came together as two 
wild boars, lashing together, tracing and 
traversing as noble men that oft had 
been well proved in battle; but ever 
Sir Palamides dread the might of vSir 
Tristram, and therefore he suffered him 
to breathe him. Thus they fought 
more than two hours; and often Sir 
Tristram smote such strokes at Sir 
Palamides that he made him to kneel ; 
and Sir Palamides brake and cut away 
many pieces of Sir Tristram's shield, 
and then Sir Palamides wounded Sir 
Tristram, for he was a well fighting 
man. Then Sir Tristram was wood 
wrath out of measure, and rashed upon 
Sir Palamides with such a might tliat 
Sir Palamides fell groveling to the earth, 
and therewithal he leapt up lightly upon 
his feet, and then Sir Tristram wounded 
Sir Palamides sore through the shoulder. 
And ever Sir Tristram fought still in 
like hard, and Sir Palamides failed not, 
but gave him many sad strokes. And 
at the last Sir Tristram doubled his 
strokes, and by fortune Sir Tristram 
smote Sir Palamides' sword out of his 
hand, and if Sir Palamides had stooped 
for his sword, he had been slain. Then 
Palamides stood still and beheld his 
sword with a sorrowful heart. How 



now, said vSir Tristram unto Palamides, 
now have I thee at advantage as thou 
hadst me this day, but it shall never be 
said in no court, nor among good 
knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any 
knight that is weaponless, and therefore 
take thou thy sword, and let us make 
an end of this battle. As for to do this 
battle, said Palamides, I dare right well 
end it ; but I have no great lust to fight 
no more, and for this cause, said Pala- 
mides, mine offence to you is not so great 
but that we may be friends. All that I 
have offended is and was for the love of 
La Beale Isoud. And as for her, I dare 
say she is peeiless above all other ladies, 
and also I proffered her never no dis- 
honour ; and by her I have gotten the 
most part of my worship, and sithen I 
offended never as to her own person. 
And as for the offence that I have done, 
it was against your own person, and for 
that offence ye have given me this day 
many sad strokes, and some I have 
given you again ; and now I dare say I 
felt never man of your might, nor so 
well breathed, but if it were Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake. Wherefore I require you, 
my lord, forgive me all that I have 
offended unto you. And this same day 
have me to the next church, and first let 
me be clean confessed, and after see you 
now that I be truly baptized. And then 
will we all ride together unto the court 
of Arthur, that we be there at the high 
feast. Now take your horse, said Sir 
Tristram, and as ye say, so it shall be ; 
and all your evil will God forgive it 
you, and I do. And here, within this 
mile, is the suffragan of Carlisle, that 
shall give you the sacrament of baptism. 
Then they took their horses, and Sir 
Galleron rode with them. And when 
they came to the suffragan Sir Tristram 
told him their desire. Then the suffra- 
gan let fill a great vessel with water. 
And when he had hallowed it, he then 
confessed clean Sir Palamides, and Sir 
Tristram and Sir Galleron were his god- 
fathers. And then soon after they de- 
parted, riding towards Camelot, where 
king Arthur and queen Guenever was, 
and for the most part all the knights of 



348 



MO RTF D ARTHUR. 



the Round Table. And so the king and 
all the court were glad that Sir Pala- 
mides was christened. And at the same 
feast in came Galahad and sat in the 
Siege Perilous. 



And so therewithal departed and dis- 
severed all the knights of the Round 
Table. And Sir Tristram returned 
again unto Joyous Gard, and Sir Pala- 
mides followed the questing beast. 



il?crc cnDcti^ \^t ^econt Iboofe of 0gr ^ri^tram 'tjbat toag liratocn oute 
of iprcn5^i)c xxk to 1£nglg0^i)e. 

9i5ut i)cre i^ no rej^mal of tj^c t^stti fioofe. ^nli \)txt folotoetjb t]^« 
nobU talc of tj^e ^^ancgreal tj^at calkD (0 tfjc ^oolg U$l>d anti tl)f 
^ggncfscacgon of tf)c bUggitJ blooti of our lortj ^j^c^u ©rg^tc, bU^giD 
mote it ibc, tl)c fel)ic]& toa^ l&rougl)t in- to tbt3 lanD bg SJo^epJb of ^r= 
mat|bg^» tj^ercfor on al $gnful ^ouljs blc^^it) lorti jbaue tjbou mcrcg. 

^ipHcit MUx iiu 1£t incipit Becimugtctciu^. 



ST^e ^^tttectttfi 33ooL 



CHAP. I. 

How at the Vigil of the feast of Pentecost 
entered into the hall, before king Arthur, 
a damsel, and desired Sir Launcelot for 
to come and dub a knight, and how he 
went with her. 

At the vigil of Pentecost, when all 
the fellowship of the Round Table were 
comen unto Camelot, and there heard 
their service, and the tables were set 
ready to the meat, right so entered into 
the hall a full fair gentlewoman on 
horseback, that had ridden full fast, for 
her horse was all besweat. Then she 
there alight, and came before the king, 
and saluted him ; and then he said, 
Damsel, God thee bless ! Sir, said she, 
I pray you say me where Sir Launcelot 
is ? Yonder ye may see him, said the 
king. Then she went unto Launcelot 
and said. Sir Launcelot, I salute you on 
king Pelles' behalf, and I require you 
come on with me hereby into a forest. 
Then Sir Launcelot asked her with whom 
she dwelled? I dwell, said she, with 
king Pelles. What will ye with me ? 
said Sir Launcelot. Ye shall know, said 
she, when ye come thither. Well, said 



he, I will gladly go with you. So Sir 
Launcelot bade his squire saddle his 
horse and bring his arms; and in all 
haste he did his commandment. Then 
came the queen unto Launcelot and said, 
Will ye leave us at this high feast? 
Madam, said the gentlewoman, wit ye 
well he shall be with you to-morrow by 
dinner-time. If I wist, said the queen, 
that he should not be with us here to- 
morn, he should not go with you by 
my good will. 

Right so departed Sir Launcelot with 
the gentlewoman, and rode until that 
he came into a forest, and into a great 
valley, where they saw an abbey of 
nuns ; and there was a squire ready, and 
opened the gates ; and so they entered, 
and descended off their horses, and 
there came a fair fellowship about Sir 
Launcelot and welcomed him, and were 
passing glad of his coming. And then 
they led him into the Abbess's chamber, 
and unarmed him, and right so he was 
ware upon a bed lying two of his 
cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, and 
then he waked them, and when they 
saw him they made great joy. Sir, said 
Sir Bors unto Sir Launcelot, what adven- 



OF THE LETTERS IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS. 



349 



ture hath brought thee hither, for we 
Vend to-morrow to have found you at 
Camelot ? Truly, said Sir Launcelot, a 
gentlewoman brought me hither, but 
I know not the cause. In the mean- 
while, as they thus stood talking to- 
gether, there came twelve nuns which 
brought with them Galahad, the which 
was passing fair and well made, that 
unneth in the world men might not 
find his match ; and all those ladies 
wept. Sir, said the ladies, we bring 
you here this child, the which we have 
nourished, and we pray you to make 
him a knight ; for of a more worthier 
man's hand may he not receive the 
order of knighthood. Sir Launcelot be- 
held that young squire, and saw him 
seemly ancl demure as a dove, with all 
manner of good features, that he wend 
of his age never to have seen so fair a 
man of form. Then said Sir I>auncelot, 
Cometh this desire of himself? He and 
all they said. Yea. Then shall he, said 
Sir Launcelot, receive the high order of 
knighthood as to-morrow at the reve- 
rence of the high feast. That night Sir 
Launcelot had passing good cheer, and 
on the morn at the hour of prime, at 
Galahad's desire, he made him knight, 
and said, God make him a good man. 
For beauty faileth you not as any that 
liveth. 

CHAP. n. 

How the letters were found written in the 
siege perilotis, and of the marvellous 
adventure of the sword in a stone. 

Now, fair sir, said Sir Launcelot, will 
ye come with me unto the court of 
king Arthur ? Nay, said he, I will not 
go with you as at this time. Then 
he departed from them and took his 
two cousins with him, and so they came 
unto Camelot by the hour of undorne 
on Whitsunday. By that time the king 
and the queen were gone to the minster 
to hear their service : then the king and 
the queen were passing glad of Sir Bors 
and Sir Lionel, and so was all the fel- 
lowship. So when the king and all the 
knights were come from service, the 



barons espied in the sieges of the Round 
Table, all about written with gold let- 
ters. Here ought to sit he, and he 
ought to sit here. And thus they went 
so long until that they came to the siege 
perilous, where they found letters newly 
written of gold, that said: Four hun- 
dred winters and fifty -four accom- 
plished after the passion of our Lord 
Jesu Christ ought this siege to be ful- 
filled. Then all they said. This is a 
marvellous thing, and an adventurous. 
In the name of God, said Sir Launcelot ; 
and then he accounted the term of the 
writing, from the birth of our Lord unto 
that day. It seemeth me, said Sir 
Launcelot, this siege ought to be ful- 
filled this same day, for this is the feast 
of Pentecost after the four hundred and 
four and fifty year; and if it would 
please all parties, I would none of these 
letters were seen this day, till he be 
come that ought to achieve this adven- 
ture. Then made they to ordain a 
cloth of silk for to cover these letters in 
the siege perilous. Then the king bad 
haste unto dinner. Sir, said Sir Kay 
the steward, if ye go now unto your 
meat, ye shall break your old custom of 
your court. For ye have not used on 
this day to sit at your meat or that ye 
have seen some adventure. Ye say sooth, 
said the king, but I had so great joy 
of Sir Launcelot and of his cousins, 
which be come to the court whole and 
sound, that I bethought me not of my 
old custom. So as they stood speaking, 
in came a squire, and said unto the 
king, Sir, I bring unto you marvel- 
lous tidings. What be they? said the 
king. Sir, there is here beneath at the 
river a great stone, which I saw fleet 
above the water, and therein saw I 
sticking a sword. The king said, 
I will see that marvel. So all the 
knights went with him, and when they 
came unto the river, they found there a 
stone fleeting, as it were of red mar- 
ble, and therein stack a fair and a rich 
sword, and in the pomell thereof were 
precious stones, wrought with subtil let- 
ters of gold. Then the barons read the 
letters, which said in this wise : Never 



350 



MORTE B ARTHUR. 



shall man take me hence but only he by 
Avhose side I ought to hang, and he shall 
be the best knight of the world. When 
the king had seen these letters, he said 
unto Sir Launcelot, Fair sir, this sword 
ought to be yours, for I am sure ye be 
the best knight of the world. Then Sir 
Launcelot answered full soberly : Certes, 
sir, it is not my sword : also, sir, wit ye 
well I have no hardiness to set my 
hand to, for it longed not to hang by 
my side. Also who that assayeth to 
take that sword, and faileth of it, he 
shall receive a wound by that sword, 
that he shall not be whole long after. 
And I will that ye wit that this same 
day will the adventures of the Sancgreal, 
that is called the holy vessel, begin. 

CHAP. III. 

How Sir Gawaine assayed to draw out the 
sword, and how an old man brought in 
Galahad. 

Now, fair nephew, said the king unto 
Sir Gawaine, assay ye for my love. Sir, 
he said, save your good grace, I shall 
not do that. Sir, said the king, assay 
to take the sword, and at my command- 
ment. Sir, said Gawaine, your com- 
mandment I will obey. And therewith 
he took up the sword by the handles, 
but he might not stir it. I thank you, 
said the king to Sir Gawaine. My 
lord Sir Gawaine, said Sir Launcelot, 
now wit ye well, this sword shall touch 
you so sore that ye shall will ye had 
never set your hand thereto, for the best 
castle of this realm. Sir, he said, I 
might not withsay mine uncle's will 
and commandment. But when the king 
heard this, he repented it much, and 
said unto Sir Percivale that he should 
assay for his love. And he said, Gladly, 
for to bear Sir Gawaine fellowship. 
And therewith he set his hand on the 
sword, and drew it strongly, but he 
might not move it. Then were there 
more that durst be so hardy to set their 
hands thereto. Now may ye go to 
your dinner, said Sir Kay unto the king, 
for a marvellous adventure have ye seen. 
So the king and all went unto the court, 



; and every knight knew his own place, 
and set him therein, and young men 

: that were knights served them. So 
when they were served, and all sieges 

: fulfilled, save only the siege perilous, 
anon there befell a marvellous adven- 
ture, that all the doors and the windoAvs 
of the place shut by themself. Not 
for then the hall was not greatly dark- 
ened, and therewith they abashed both 
one and other. Then king Arthur spake 
first, and said. Fair fellows and lords, 
we have seen this day marvels, but or 
night I suppose we shall see greater 
marvels. Li the mean while came in a 
good old man, and an ancient, clothed | 
all in white, and there was no knight ; 
knew from whence he came. And with 
him he brought a young knight, both 
on foot, in red arms, without sword or 
shield, save a scabbard hanging by his 
side. And these words he said, Peace 
be with you, fair lords. Then the old 
man said unto Arthur, Sir, I luring: 
here a young knight the which is of 
king's lineage, and of the kindred of 
Joseph of Arimathie, whereby the mar- 
vels of this court and of strange realms 
shall be fully accomplished. 

CHAP. IV. 

How the old man brought Galahad to 
the siege perilous and set him therein, 
and hnw all the knights marvelled. 

The king was right glad of his words, 
and said unto the good man. Sir, ye be ' 
right welcome, and the young knight [ 
with you. Then the old man made the I 
young man to unarm him ; and he was 
in a coat of red sendel, and bare a 
mantle upon his shoulder that was 
furred with ermine, and put that upon 
him. And the old knight said unto the 
young knight, Sir, follow me. And 
anon he led him unto the siege peril- 
ous, where beside sat Sir Launcelot, 
and the good man lift up the cloth, 
and found there letters that said thus: 
This is the siege of Galahad the haut 
prince. Sir, said the old knight, wit ye 
well that place is yours. And then he 
set him down surely in that siege. And 



H 



GALAHAD SITS IN THE SIEGE PERILOUS. 



351 



then he said to the old man, Sir, ye may 
now go your way, for well have ye done 
that ye were commanded to do. And 
recommend me unto my grandsire king 
Pelles, and unto my lord Petchere, 
and say them on my behalf, I shall 
come and see them as soon as ever I 
may. So the good man departed, and 
there met him twenty noble squires, and 
so took their horses and went their way. 
Then all the knights of the Table 
Round marvelled them greatly of Sir 
Galahad, that he durst sit there in that 
siege perilous, and was so tender of age, 
and wist not from whence he came, but 
all only by God, and said, This is he by 
whom the Sancgreal shall be achieved, 
for there sat never none but he, but he 
were mischieved. Then Sir Launcelot 
beheld his son, and had great joy of 
him. Then Sir Bors told his fellows. 
Upon pain of my hfe this young knight 
shall come unto great worship. This 
noise was great in all the court, so that 
it came to the queen. Then she had 
marvel what knight it might be that 
durst adventure him to sit in the siege 
perilous. Many said unto the queen, he 
resembled much unto Sir Launcelot. 
I may well suppose, said the queen, 
that he is son of Sir Launcelot and king 
Pelles' daughter, and his name is Gala- 
had. I would fain see him, said the 
queen, for he must needs be a noble 
man, for so is his father ; I report 
me unto all the Table Round. So 
when the meat was done, that the 
king and all were risen, the king went 
unto the siege perilous, and lift up the 
cloth, and found there the name of Ga- 
lahad, and then he shewed it unto Sir 
Gawaine, and said. Fair nephew, now 
have we among us Sir Galahad the 
good knight, that shall worship us all, 
and upon pain of my life he shall 
achieve the Sancgreal, right so as Sir 
Launcelot hath done us to understand. 
Then came king Arthur unto Galahad, 
and said, Sir, ye be welcome, for ye 
shall move many good knights to the 
quest of the Sancgreal, and ye shall 
achieve that never knights might bring 
to an end. Then the king took him by 



the hand, and went down from the 
palace to shew Galahad the adventures 
of the stone. 

CHAP. V. 
How king Arthur shewed the stone, hoving 
I oji the water, to Galahad, a?id hew he 

drew out the sword. 

The queen heard thereof, and came 
after with many ladies, and shewed 
them the stone where it hoved on the 
water. Sir,- said the king unto Sir Ga- 
lahad, here is a great marvel as ever I 
saw, and right good knights have as- 
sayed and failed. Sir, said Galahad, 
that is no marvel, for this adventure is 
not theirs, but mine, and for the surety 
of this sword I brought none with me ; 
for here by my side hangeth the scab- 
bard. And anon he laid his hand on 
the sword, and lightly drew it out of 
the stone, and put it in the sheath 
and said unto the king. Now it goeth 
better than it did aforehand. Sir, said 
the king, a shield God shall send you. 
Now have I, said Sir Galahad, that 
sword that sometime was the good 
knight's Balin le Savage, and he was 
a passing good man of his hands. And 
with this sword he slew his brother 
Balan, and that was great pity, for he 
was a good knight, and either slew 
other through ^ dolorous stroke that 
Balan gave unto my grandfather king 
Pelles, the which is not yet whole, nor 
not shall be till I heal him. There- 
with the king and all espied where 
came riding down the river a lady on a 
white palfrey toward them. Then she 
saluted the king and the queen, and 
asked if that Sir Launcelot Avas there? 
And then he answered himself, I am 
here, fair lady. Then she said, all with 
weeping. How your great doing is 
changed sith this day in the morn. 
Damsel, why say ye so ? said Launcelot. 
I say you sooth, said the damsel, for ye 
were this day the best knight of the 
world, but who should say so now 
should be a liar, for there is now one 
better than ye. And well it is proved 
by the adventures of the sword whereto 
ye durst not set your hand, and that is 



352 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK Xlltj 



the change and leaving of your name ; 
wherefore I make unto you a remem- 
brance, that ye shall not ween from 
henceforth that ye be the best knight of 
the world. As touching unto that, said 
Launcelot, I know well I was never the 
best. Yes, said the damsel, that were 
ye, and are yet of any sinful man of the 
world. And sir king, Nacien the hermit 
sendeth thee word, that thee shall befall 
the greatest worship that ever befell 
king in Britain ; and I say you where- 
fore, for this day the Sancgreal shall 
appear in thy house, and feed thee 
and all thy fellowship of the Round 
Table. So she departed and went that 
same way that she came, 

CHAP. VI. 

How king Arthur had all the knights to- 
gether, for to just ifi the meadow beside 
Camelot or they departed. 

Now, said the king, I am sure at this 
quest of the Sancgreal shall all ye of 
the Table Round depart, and never shall 
I see you again whole together, there- 
fore I will see you all whole together in 
the meadow of Camelot, to just and to 
tourney, that after your death men may 
speak of it, that such good knights were 
wholly together such a day. As unto 
that counsel, and at the king's request, 
they accorded all, and took on their 
harness that longed unto justing. But 
all this moving of the king was for this 
intent, for to see Galahad proved, for 
the king deemed he should not lightly 
come again unto the court after his de- 
parting. So were they assembled in the 
meadow, both more and less. Then Sir 
Galahad, by the prayer of the king and 
the queen, did upon him a noble jesser- 
ance, and also he did on his helm, but 
shield would he take none for no prayer 
of the king. And then Sir Gawaine and 
other knights prayed him to take a 
spear. Right so he did ; and the queen 
was in a tower with all her ladies for to 
behold that tournament. Then Sir Ga- 
lahad dressed him in the midst of the 
meadow, and began to break spears 
marvellously, that all men had wonder 



of him, for he there surmounted all 
other knights, for within a while he had 
thrown down many good knights of the 
Table Round save twain, that was Sir 
Launcelot and Sir Percivale. 

CHAP. VH. 

How the queen desired to see Galahad, 
and how after all the knights were re- 
plenished with the holy Sangreal, and 
how they avowed the eriquest of the same. 

Then the king, at the queen's request, 
made him to alight and to unlace his 
helm, that the queen might see him in 
the visage. And when she beheld him 
she said, Soothly, I dare well say that 
Sir Launcelot is his father, for never 
two men resembled more in likeness, 
therefore it is no marvel though he be 
of great prowess. So a lady that stood 
by the queen said. Madam, ought he of 
right to be so good a knight? Yea, 
forsooth, said the queen, for he is of all 
parties come of the best knights of the 
world, and of the highest lineage; for 
Sir Launcelot is come but of the eighth 
degree from our Lord Jesu Christ, and 
Sir Galahad is of the ninth degree from 
our Lord Jesu Christ ; therefore I dare 
say they be the greatest gentlemen of 
the world. And then the king and all 
estates went home unto Camelot, and 
so went to evensong to the great 
minster. And so after upon that to sup- 
per, and every knight sat in his own 
place as they were toforehand. Then 
anon they heard cracking and crying of 
thunder, that them thought the place 
should all to-drive. In the midst of this 
blast entered a sun-beam more clearer 
by seven times than ever they saw day, 
and all they were alighted of the grace 
of the Holy Ghost. Then began every 
knight to behold other, and either saw 
other by their seeming fairer than ever 
they saw afore. Not for then there was 
no knight might speak one word a great 
while, and so they looked every man on 
other, as they had been dumb. Then 
there entered into the hall the holy 
Graile covered with white samite, but 
there was none might see it, nor who 



OF THE DEPARTURE OF THE KNIGHTS. 



353 



bare it. And there was all the hall full 
filled with good odours, and eveiy 
knight had such meats and drinks as he 
best loved in this world : and when the 
holy Graile had been borne through 
the hall, then the holy vessel departed 
suddenly, that they wist not where it 
became. Then had they all breath to 
speak. And then the king yielded 
thankings unto God of his good grace 
that he had sent them. Certes, said the 
king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu 
greatly, for that he hath shewed us this 
day at the reverence of this high feast of 
Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we 
have been served this day of what meats 
and drinks we thought on, but one 
thing beguiled us, we might not see 
the holy Graile, it was so preciously co- 
vered : wherefore I will make here avow, 
that to-morn, without longer abiding, 
I shall labour in the quest of the Sanc- 
greal, that I shall hold me out a twelve- 
month and a day, or more if need be, 
and never shall I return again unto the 
court till I have seen it more openly 
than it hath been seen here : and if I 
may not speed, I shall return again as 
he that may not be against the will of 
our Lord Jesu Christ. When they of 
the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine 
say so, they arose up the most party, 
and made such avows as Sir Gawaine 
had made. 

Anon as king Arthur heard this he 
was greatly displeased, for he wist well 
that they might not againsay their 
avows. Alas ! said king Arthur unto 
Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me 
with the avow and promise that ye have 
made. For through you ye have be- 
reft me of the fairest fellowship and the 
truest of knighthood that ever were seen 
together in any realm of the world. 
For when they depart from hence, I am 
sure they all shall never meet more in 
this world, for they shall die many in 
the quest. And so it forethinketh me 
a little, for I have loved them as well 
as my life, wherefore it shall grieve me 
right sore the departition of this fellow- 
ship. For I have had an old custom 
to have them in my fellowship. 



CHAP. VIIL 

How great sorrow was made of the Ung 
and the queen and ladies for the de- 
parting of the hiights, and bow they 
departed. 

And therewith the tears filled in his 
eyes. And then he said, Gawaine, 
Gawaine, ye have set me in great 
sorrow. For I have great doubt that 
my tnie fellowship shall never meet 
here more again. Ah, said Sir Launce- 
lot, comfort yourself, (or it shall be 
unto us as a great honour, and much 
more than if we died in any other 
places, for of death we be sure. Ah 
Launcelot, said the king, the great love- 
that I have had unto you all the days 
of my life maketli me to say such 
doleful words ; for never christian king 
had never so many worthy men at this 
table as I have had this day at the 
Round Table, and that is my great 
sorrow. AVhen the queen, ladies, and 
gentlewomen wist these tidings, they 
had such sorrow and heaviness that 
there might no tongue tell it, for those 
knights had holden them in honour and 
charity. But among all other queen 
Guenever made great sorrow. I marvel, 
said she, my lord would suffer them to 
depart from him. Thus was all the 
court troubled, for the love of the de- 
partition of those knights. And many 
of those ladies that loved knights would 
have gone with their lovers ; and so had 
they done, had not an old knight come 
among them in rehgious clothing, and 
then he spake all on high and said. 
Fair lords which have sworn in the 
quest of the Sancgreal, thus sendeth 
you Nacien the hermit word, that none 
in this quest lead lady nor gentlewoman 
with him, for it is not to do in so high 
a service as they labour in, for I warn 
you plain, he that is not clean of his 
sins he shall not see the mysteries of 
our Lord Jesu Christ ; and for this 
cause they left these ladies and gentle- 
women. After this the queen came 
unto Galahad, and asked him of whence 
he was, and of what country ? He told 
her of whence he was. And son unto 



23 



a54 



MORTE B ARTHUR, 



I Sir Launcelot, she said he was: as to 
that he said neither yea nor nay. Truly, 
said the queen, of your father ye need 
not to shame you, for he is the good- 
liest knight and of the best men of 
the world come, and of the stock, 
of all parties, of kings. Wherefore 
ye ought of right to be of your deeds 
a passing good man, and certainly, she 
said, ye resemble him much. Then 
Sir Galahad was a little ashamed, and 
said, Madam, sith ye know in certain, 
wherefore do ye ask it me ? for he that 
is my father shall be known openly, 
and all betimes. And then they went 
to rest them. And in the honour of 
the highness of Galahad he was led 
into king Arthur's chamber, and there 
rested in his own bed. And as soon 
as it was day the king arose, for 
he had no rest of all that night for 
sorrow. Then he went unto Gawaine 
and to Sir Launcelot, that were arisen for 
to hear mass. And then the king again 
said. Ah Gawaine, Gawaine, ye have 
betrayed me. ' '■ For never shall my court 
be amended by you, but ye will never 
be sorry for me, as I am for you. And 
therewith' the tears began to run down 
by his visage. And therewith the king 
saidi Ah knight, Sir Launcelot, I require 
thee thou counsel me, for I would that 
this quest were undone, and it might 
be. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, ye saw 
yesterday so many worthy knights that 
then were sworn, that they may not 
leave it in no manner of wise. That 
wot I well, said the king, but it shall 
so heavy me at their departing, that 
I wot well there shall no manner of 
joy remedy me. And then the king 
and the queen went unto the minster. 
So anon Launcelot and Gawaine com- 
manded their men to bring their arms. 
And when they all were armed, save 
their shields and their helms, then they 
came to their fellowship, which all were 
ready in the same wise for to go to the 
minster to hear their service. 

Then after the service was done, the 
king would wit how many had taken 
the quest of the holy Graile, and to 
account them' he prayed them all. Then 



found they by tale an hundred and fifty, 
and all were knights of the Round 
Table. And then they put on their 
helms, and departed, and recommanded 
them all wholly unto the queen, and 
there was weeping and great sorrow. 
Then the queen departed into her 
chamber so that no man should per- 
ceive her great sorrows. When Sir 
Launcelot missed the queen he went 
into her chamber, and when she saw 
him she cried aloud, O, Sir Launcelot, 
ye have betrayed me and put me to 
death, for to leave thus my lord. Ah, 
madam, said Sir Launcelot, I pray you 
be not displeased, for I shall come 
again as soon as I may with my wor- 
ship. Alas, said she, that ever I saw 
you! but He that suffered death upon 
the cross for all mankind, be to your 
good conduct and safety, and all the 
whole fellowship. Right so departed 
Sir Launcelot, and found his fellowship 
that abode his coming. And so they 
mounted upon their horses, and rode 
through the streets of Camelot, and 
there was weeping of the rich and poor, 
and the king turned away, and might 
not speak for weeping. So within a 
while they came to a city and a castle 
that hight Vagon : there they entered 
into the castle, and the lord of that 
castle was an old man that hight Vagon, 
and he was a good man of his living, 
and set open the gates, and made them 
all the good cheer that he might. And 
so on the morrow they were all ac- 
corded that they should depart eveiy 
each from other. And then they de- 
parted on the morrow with weeping and 
mourning cheer, and every knight took I 
the way that him best liked. j 

CHAP. IX. 

How Galahad gat him a shield, and how 
they sped that presumed to take down 
the said shield. 

Now rideth Sir Galahad yet without 
shield, and so he rode four days with- 
out any adventure. And at the fourth 
day after even-song he came to a white 
abbey, and there he was received with 



OF GALAHAD'S WHITE SHIELD. 



35- 



great reverence, and led to a chamber, 
and then he was unarmed, and then 
was he ware of two knights of the 
Round Table, one was king Bagde- 
magus, and that other was Sir Uwaine. 
And when they saw him they went unto 
him and made of him great solace, and 
so they went to supper. Sirs, said Sir 
Galahad, what adventure brought you 
hither? Sir, said they, it is told us 
that within this place is a shield that 
no man may bear about his neck but 
that if he be mischieved or dead within 
three days, or else maimed for ever. 
Ah, sir, said king Bagdemagus, I shall 
bear it to-morrow for to assay this 
strange adventure. In the' name of 
God, said Sir Galahad. Sir, said Bag- 
demagus, and I may not achieve the 
adventure of this shield ye shall take 
it upon you, for I am sure ye shall not 
fail. Sir, said Galahad, I agree right 
well thereto, for I have no shield. So 
on the morn they arose and heard mass. 
Then king Bagdemagus asked where 
the adventurous shield was. Anon a 
monk led him behind an altar where 
the shield hung as white as any snow, 
but in the midst was a red cross. Sir, 
said the monk, this shield ought not to 
be hanged about no knight's neck, but 
he be the worthiest knight of the world, 
and therefore I counsel you knights to 
be well advised. Well, said king Bag- 
demagus, I wot well that I am not the 
best knight of the world, but yet shall 
I assay to bear it. And so he bare it 
out of the monastery ; and then he said, 
unto Sir Galahad, If it will please you, 
I pray you abide here still, till ye know 
how I shall speed. I shall abide you 
here, said Galahad. Then king Bag- 
demagus took with him a squire, the 
which should bring tidings unto Sir 
Galahad how he sped. Then when they 
had ridden a two mile, and came in a 
fair valley afore an hermitage, then 
they saw a goodly knight come from 
that part in white aiTnour, horse and 
all, and he came as fast as his horse 
might run with his spear in the rest, 
and king Bagdemagus dressed his spear 
against him, and brake it upon the 



white knight ; but the other struck him 
so hard that he brake the mails, and 
thrust him through the right shoulder, 
for the shield covered him not as at 
that time, and so he bare him from his 
horse, and therewith he alighted and 
took the white shield from him, saying. 
Knight, thou hast done thyself great 
folly, for this shield ought not to be 
borne but by him that shall have no 
peer that liveth. And then he came 
to king Bagdemagus's squire and said. 
Bear this shield unto the good knight 
Sir Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, 
and greet him well from me. Sir, said 
the squire, what is your name ? Take 
thou no heed of my name, said the 
knight, for it is not for thee to know, 
nor for none earthly man. Now, fair 
sir, said the squire, at the reverence of 
Jesu Christ tell me for what cause this 
shield may not be borne, but if the 
bearer thereof be mischieved. Now, 
sith thou hast conjured me so, said the 
knight, this shield behoveth to no man 
but unto Galahad. And the squire 
went unto Bagdemagus and asked him 
whether he were sore wounded or not ? 
Yea forsooth, said he, I shall escape 
hard from the death. Then he fetched 
his horse, and brought him with great 
pain unto an abbey. Then was he 
taken down softly, and unarmed, and 
laid in a bed, and there was looked to 
his wounds. And, as the book telleth, 
he lay there long, and escaped hard 
with the life. 

CHAP. X. 

How Galahad departed with the shield. 
Arid hojv hing Evelake had received the 
shield of Joseph of Aramathie. 

Sir Galahad, said the squire, that 
knight that wounded Bagdemagus send- 
eth you greeting, and bad that ye should 
bear this shield, where through great 
adventures should befall. Now blessed 
be God and fortune, said Sir Galahad. 
And then he asked his arms, and 
mounted upon his horse, and hung the 
white shield about his neck, and com- 
mended them unto God. And Sir 



n—2 



356 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Uwaine said he would bear him fellow- 
ship if it pleased him. Sir, said Gala- 
had, that may ye not, for I must go 
alone, save this squire shall bear me 
fellowship : and so departed Uwaine. 
Then within a while came Galahad 
there as the white knight abode him 
by the hermitage, and every each 
saluted other courteously. Sir, said 
Galahad, by this shield been many 
marvels fallen. Sir, said the knight, 
it befell after the passion of our Lord 
Jesu Christ thirty-two year, that Joseph 
of Armathie, the gentle knight the 
which took down our Lord off the holy 
cross, at that time he departed from 
Jerusalem with a great party of his kin- 
dred with him. And so he laboured 
till that they came to a city that hight 
Sarras. And at that same hour that 
Joseph came to Sarras, there was a 
icing that hight Evelake, that had great 
war against the Saracens, and in espe- 
cially against one Saracen, the which 
was the king Evelake's cousin, a rich 
king and a mighty, which marched 
nigh this land, and his name was called 
ToUeme la Feintes. So on a day this 
two met to do battle. Then Joseph, 
the son of Joseph of Armathie, went 
to king Evelake, and told him he should 
be discomfit and slain, but if he left 
his belief of the old law, and believed 
upon the new law. And then there he 
shewed him the right belief of the Holy 
Trinity, to the which he agreed unto with 
all his heart, and there this shield was 
made for king Evelake, in the name of 
Him that died upon the cross. And 
then through his good belief he had 
the better of king ToUeme. For when 
Evelake was in the battle, there was a 
cloth set afore the shield, and when he 
was in the greatest peril he let put 
away the cloth, and then his enemies 
saw a figure of a man on the cross, 
where through they all were discomfit. 
And so it befell that a man of king 
Evelake's was smitten his hand off, and 
bare that hand in his other hand. And 
Joseph called that man unto him, and 
bad him. Go with good devotion, touch 
the cross. And as soon as that man 



had touched the cross with his hand, it 
was as whole as ever it was tofore. 
Then soon after there fell a great mar- 
vel, that the cross of the shield at one 
time vanished away, that no man wist 
where it became. And then king Eve- 
lake was baptised, and for the most 
part all the people of that city. So 
soon after Joseph would depart, and 
king Evelake would go with him, 
whether he would or nould. And so 
by fortune they came into this land, 
that at that time was called Great 
Britain. And there they found a great 
felon paynim, that put Joseph into 
prison. And so by fortune tidings 
came imto a worthy man that hight 
Mondrames, and he assembled all his 
people, for the great renown he had 
heard of Joseph, and so he came into 
the land of Great Britain, and dis- 
herited this felon paynim and con- 
sumed him, and therewith delivered 
Joseph out of prison. And after that 
all the people were turned to the chris- 
tian faith. 

CHAP. XL 

How Joseph made a cross on the white 
shield with his blood, and how Ga- 
lahad was by a monk brottght to a 
tomb. 

Not long after that Joseph was laid 
in his deadly bed. And when king Eve- 
lake saw that, he made much sorrow, 
and said. For thy love I have left my 
country, and sith ye shall depart out of 
this M^orld leave me some token of 
yours, that I may think on you. Joseph 
said, that will I do full gladly. Now 
bring me your shield that I took you 
when ye went into battle against 
king Tolleme. Then Joseph bled sore 
at the nose that he might not by no 
means be staunched. And there upon 
that shield he made a cross of his own 
blood. Now may ye see a remembrance 
that I love you, for ye shall never see 
this shield but ye shall think on me, and 
it shall be always as fresh as it is now ; 
and never shall no man bear this shield 
about his neck but he shall repent it. 



MELIAS IS MADE KNIGHT. 



357 



unto the time that Galahad the good 
knight bear it, and the last of my 
lineage shall have it about his neck, 
that shall do many marvellous deeds. 
Now, said king Evelake, where shall I 
put this shield, that this worthy knight 
may have it ? Ye shall leave it there as 
Nacien the hermit shall be put after 
his death. For thither shall that good 
knight come the fifteenth day after that 
he shall receive the order of knighthood. 
And so that day that they set is this 
time that ye have his shield. And in 
the same abbey lieth Nacien the hermit. 
And then the white knight vanished 
away. Anon, as the squire had heard 
these words, he alight off his hackney, 
and kneeled down at Galahad's feet, and 
prayed him that he might go with him 
till he had made him knight. — If I 
would not refuse you ? — Then will ye 
make me a kniglat, said the squire, 
and that order, by the grace of God, 
shall be well set in me. So Sir Galahad 
granted him, and turned again unto the 
abbey there they came from. And there 
men made great joy of Sir Galahad. 
And anon as he was alight, there was 
a monk brought him unto a tomb in 
a church -yard, where that was such 
a noise that who that heard it should 
verily nigh be mad or lose his strength. 
And, sir, they said, we deem it is a 
fiend. 

CHAP. XII. 

Of the marvel that Sir Galahad saw and 
heard in the tomb, and how be made 
Melias knight. 

Now lead me thither, said Galahad. 
And so they did, all armed save his 
helm. Now, said the good man, go to 
the tomb and lift it up. So he did, and 
heard a great noise, and piteously he 
said that all men might hear it. Sir 
Galahad, the servant of Jesu Christ, 
come thou not nigh me, for thou shalt 
make m.e go again there where I have 
been so long. But Galahad was nothing 
afraid, but lift up the stone, and there 
came out so foul a smoke, and after he 
saw the foulest figure leap thereout that 



ever he saw in the likeness of a man ; 
and then he blessed him, and wist 
well it was a fiend. Then heard he a 
voice say, Galahad, I see there environ 
about thee so many angels that my 
power may not dare thee. Right so 
Sir Galahad saw a body all armed lie 
in that tomb, and beside him a sword. 
Now, fair brother, said Galahad, let us 
remove this body, for it is not worthy 
to lie in this church-yard, for he was a 
false Christian man. And therewith 
they all departed and went to the abbey. 
And anon as he was unarmed, a good 
man came and set him down by him, 
and said. Sir, I shall tell you what be- 
tokeneth all that ye saw in the tomb : 
For that covered body betokeneth the 
duresse of the world, and the great sin 
that our Lord found in the world, for 
there was such wretchedness that the 
father loved not the son, nor the son 
loved not the father, and that was one 
of the causes that our Lord took flesh 
and blood of a clean maiden ; for our 
sins were so great at that time that well 
nigh all was wickedness. Truly, said 
Galahad, I believe you right well. So 
Sir Galahad rested him there that night. 
And upon the mom he made the squire 
knight, and asked him his name, and of 
what kindred he was come. Sir, said 
he, men call me Melias de Lile, and I 
am the son of the king of Denmark. 
Now, fair sir, said Galahad, sith ye be 
come of kings and queens, now look 
that knighthood be well set in you, for 
ye ought to be a mirror unto all chi- 
valry. Sir, said Melias, ye say sooth. 
But, sir, sithen ye have made me a 
knight, ye must of right grant me my 
first desire that is reasonable. Ye say 
sooth, said Galahad. Then Melias said, 
that ye will sufter me to ride with you 
in this quest of the Sancgreal till that 

some adventure depart us I grant 

you, sir. Then men brought Sir Me- 
lias his annour, and his spear, and 
his horse ; and so Sir Galahad and he 
rode forth all that week ere they found 
any adventure. And then upon a Mon- 
day, in the morning, as they were de- 
parted from an abbey, they came to a 



J 



358 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



cross which departed two ways ; and in 
that cross were letters written, that said 
thus : Now ye knights errant, the which 
goeth to seek knights adventurous, see 
here two ways ; that one way defendeth 
thee that thou ne go that way, for he 
shall not go out of the way again, but 
if he be a good man and a worthy 
knight ; and if thou go on the left 
hand, thou shalt not there lightly win 
prowess, for thou shalt in this way be 
soon assayed. Sir, said Melias to Ga- 
lahad, if it like you to suffer me to 
take the way on the left hand, tell 
me, for there I shall well prove my 
strength. It were better, said Galahad, 
ye rode not that way, for I deem I 
should better escape in that way than 
ye. — Nay, my lord, I pray you let 
me have that adventure. — Take it, in 
God's name, said Galahad. 



CHAP. XIII. 

Of the adventure that Melias had, and 
how Galahad revenged him, atid how 
Melias was carried into an abbey. 

And then rode Melias into an old 
forest, and therein he rode two days 
and more. And then he came into a 
fair meadow, and there was a fair lodge 
of boughs. And then he espied in that 
lodge a chair, wherein was a crown of 
gold subtily wrought. Also there was 
clothes covered upon the earth, and 
many delicious meats were set thereon. 
Sir Melias beheld this adventure, and 
thought it marvellous, but he had no 
hunger, but of the crown of gold he 
took much keep, and therewith he 
stooped down, and took it up, and rode 
his way with it. And anon he saw a 
knight came riding after him that said. 
Knight, set down that crown which is 
not yours, and therefore defend you. 
Then Sir Melias blessed him, and said, 
Fair Lord of heaven, help and save thy 
new-made knight. And then they let 
their horses run as fast as they might, 
so that the other knight smote Sir 
Melias through hauberk and through 
the left side, that he fell to the earth 



nigh dead. And then he took the 
crown and went his way, and Sir Melias 
lay still and had no power to stir. In 
the meanwhile by fortune there came 
Sir Galahad and found him there in 
peril of death. And then he said, 
Ah, Melias, who hath wounded you? 
therefore it had been better to have 
ridden that other way. And when Sir 
Melias heard him speak. Sir, he said, 
for God's love let me not die in this 
forest, but bear me unto the abbey here 
beside, that I may be confessed and 
have my rites. It shall be done, said 
Galahad, but where is he that hath 
wounded you ? With that Sir Galahad 
heard in the leaves cry on high. Knight, 
keep thee from me ! Ah sir, said Me- 
lias, beware, for that is he that hath 
slain me. Sir Galahad answered, Sir 
knight, come on your peril. Then either 
dressed to other, and came together as 
fast as their horses might run ; and Ga- 
lahad smote him so that his spear went 
through his shoulder, and smote him 
down off his horse, and in the falling 
Galahad's spear brake. With that came 
out another knight out of the leaves 
and brake a spear upon Galahad, or 
ever he might turn him. Then Galahad 
drew out his sword and smote off the 
left arm of him, so that it fell to the 
earth. And then he fled, and Sir Gala- 
had sued fast after him. And then he 
turned again unto Sir Melias, and there 
he alight and dressed him softly on his 
horse tofore him, for the truncheon of 
his spear was in his body, and Sir Gala- 
had start up behind him, and held him 
in his arms, and so brought him to 
the abbey, and there unarmed him and 
brought him to his chamber. And then 
he asked his Saviour. And when he had 
received Him he said unto Sir Galahad, 
Sir, let death come when it pleaseth 
him. And therewith he drew out the 
truncheon of the spear out of his body : 
and then he swooned. Then came there 
an old monk, which sometime had been 
a knight, and beheld Sir Melias. And 
anon he ransacked him, and then he 
said unto Sir Galahad, I shall heal him 
of this wound, by the grace of God, 



OF THE CASTLE OE MAIDENS. 



i^ 



within the term of seven weeks. Then 
was Sir Galahad glad, and unarmed 
him, and said he would abide there 
tliree days. And then he asked Sir 
Melias how it stood with him. Then 
he said, he was turned unto helping, 
God be thanked. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Galahad departed, and how he 
was commanded to go to the castle of 
maidens to destroy the wicked custo?n. 

Now will I depart, said Galahad, for 
I have much on hand, for many good 
knights be full busy about it, and this 
knight and I were in the same quest of 
the Sancgreal. Sir, said a good man, 
for his sin he was thus wounded : and I 
marvel, said the good man, how ye 
durst take upon you so rich a thing as 
the high order of knighthood without 
clean confession, and that was the cause 
ye were bitterly wounded. For the way 
on the right hand betokeneth the high 
way of our Lord Jesu Christ, and the 
way of a true good liver. And the other 
way betokeneth the way of sinners and 
of misbelievers. And when the devil 
saw your pride and presumption for to 
take you in the quest of the holy Sanc- 
greal, that made you to be overthrown, 
for it may not be achieved but by 
virtuous living. Also, the writing on 
the cross was a signification of hea- 
venly deeds, and of knightly deeds in 
God's works, and no knightly deeds in 
worldly works ; and pride is head of all 
deadly sins, that caused this knight to 
depart from Sir Galahad : and where 
thou tookest the crown of gold thou 
sinnedst in covetise and in theft. All 
this were no knightly deeds. And this 
Galahad the holy knight, the which 
fought with the two knights, the two 
knights signify the two deadly sins which 
were wholly in this knight Sir Melias, 
and they might not withstand you, for ye 
are without deadly sin. Now departed 
Galahad from thence, and betaught 
them all unto God. Sir Melias said. 
My lord Galahad, as soon as I may ride 
I shall seek you. God send you health, 



said Galahad; and so took his hof^ 
and departed and rode many journeys 
forward and backward, as adventure 
would lead him. And at the last it hap- 
pened him to depart from a place or a 
castle, the which was named Abblasoure, 
and he had heard no mass, the which 
he was wont ever to hear or that he 
departed out of any castle or place, and 
kept that for a custom. Then Sir Gala- 
had came unto a mountain, where he 
found an old chapel, and found there no- 
body, for all all was desolate, and there 
he kneeled tofore the altar, and besought 
God of wholesome counsel. So, as he 
prayed, he heard a voice that said. Go 
thou now, thou adventurous knight, to 
the Castle of Maidens, and there do 
thou away the wicked customs. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Sir Galahad fought with the knights 
of the castle, and destroyed the wicked 
custom. 

When Sir Galahad heard this he 
thanked God, and took his horse, and 
he had not ridden but half a mile, he 
saw in a valley afore him a strong 
castle with deep ditches, and there ran 
beside it a fair river, that hight Severn, 
and there he met with a man of great 
age, and either saluted other, and Ga- 
lahad asked him the castle's name? 
Fair sir, said he, it is the Castle of 
Maidens. That is a cursed castle, 
said Galahad, and all they that be con- 
versant therein ; for all pity is out 
thereoj, and all hardiness and mischief 
is therein. — Therefore I counsel you, sir 
knight, to turn again. Sir, said Galahad* 
wit you well 1 shall not turn again. 
Then looked Sir Galahad on his arms 
that nothing failed him, and then 
he put his shield afore him, and anon 
there met him seven fair maidens, the 
which said unto him, Sir knight, ye ride 
here in a great folly, for ye have the 
water to pass over. Why should I not 
pass the water ? said Galahad. So rode 
he away from them, and met with a 
squire that said. Knight, those knights 
in the castle defy you, and forbid you, yc 



360 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



BOOK xni. I 



go no further till that they wit what 
ye , would. Fair sir, said Galahad, I 
come for to destroy the wicked cus- 
tom of this castle. — Sir, and ye will 
abide by that, ye shall have enough to 
do.' — Go you now, said Galahad, and 
haste my needs. Then the squire en- 
tered into the castle. And anon after 
there came out of the castle seven 
J<nights, and all were brethren. And 
when they saw Galahad, they cried. 
Knight, keep thee, for we assure thee 
nothing but death. Why, said Galahad, 
will ye all have ado with me at once ? 
Yea, said they, thereto mayest thou 
tlrust. Then Galahad put forth his 
Spfear, and smote the foremost to the 
eStrtii, that near he brake his neck. And 
therewith all the other smote him on his 
shield great strokes, so that their spears 
brake. Then Sir Galahad drew out his 
sAVord, and set upon them so hard that 
it was marvel to -see it, and so, through 
great force, he made them to forsake 
the field ; and Galahad chased them 
till they entered into the castle, and so 
passed through the castle at another 
gate. And there met Sir Galahad an 
old man, clothed in religious clothing, 
and said. Sir, have here the keys of this 
castle. Then Sir Galahad opened the 
gates, and saw so much people in the 
streets that he might not number them, 
and all said, Sir, ye be welcome, for 
long have we abiden here our deliver- 
ance. Then came to him a gentle- 
woman, and said. These knights be 
fled, but they will come again this 
night, and here to begin again their evil 
custom. What will ye that I shall do? 
said Galahad. Sir, said the gentle- 
woman, that ye send after all the 
knights hither that hold their lands of 
this castle, and make them to swear for 
to use the customs that were used here- 
tofore of old time. I will well, said 
Galahad. And there she brought him 
an horn of ivory, bounden with gold 
richly, and said. Sir, blow this horn, 
which will be heard two mile about 
this castle. When Sir Galahad had 
blown the horn he set him down upon 
a bed. Then came a priest unto Gala- 



had, and said, Sir, it is past a seven year 
agone that these seven brethren came 
into this castle, and harboured with 
the lord of this castle, that hight the 
duke Lianour, and he was lord of all 
this country. And when they espied 
the duke's daughter that was a full fair 
woman, then by their false covin they 
made debate betwixt themselves, and 
the duke of his goodness would have 
departed them ; and there they slew 
him and his eldest son. And then they 
took the maiden, and the treasure of the 
castle. And then by great force they 
held all the knights of this castle against 
their will under their obeisance, and in 
great servage and truage, robbing and 
pilling the poor common people of all 
that they had. So it happened on a 
day the duke's daughter said, Ye have 
done unto me great wrong to slay mine 
own father and my brother, and thus to 
hold our lands : not for then, she said, 
ye shall not hold this castle for many 
years, for by one knight ye shall be 
overcome. Thus she prophesied seven 
years agone. Well, said the seven 
knights, sithen ye say so, there shall 
never lady nor knight pass this castle, 
but they shall abide maugre their heads, 
or die therefore, till that knight be 
come by whom we shall lose this castle. 
And therefore it is called the Maidens' 
Castle, for they have devoured many 
maidens. Now, said Sir Galahad, is 
she here for whom this castle was lost ? 
Nay, said the priest, she was dead 
within these three nights after that 
she was thus enforced ; and sithen have 
they kept her younger sister, which en- 
dureth great pains with many other 
ladies. By this were the knights of 
the country come. And then he made 
them do homage and fealty to the 
duke's daughter, and set them in great 
ease of heart. And in the morn there 
came one to Galahad, and told him how 
that Gawaine, Gareth, and Uwaine had 
slain the seven brethren. I suppose 
well, said Sir Galahad: and took his 
armour and his horse and commended 
them unto God. 



CHAP. XVI. 



OF SIR GAWAINE'S QUEST. 



3^1 



CHAP. XVI. 

How Sir Gawaine cmne to the A bbey for 
to follow Galahad, and how he was 
shriven to a Hermit. 

Now, saith the tale, after Sir Gawaine 
departed, he rode many journeys both 
toward and froward. And at the last 
he came to the abbey where Sir Ga- 
lahad had the white shield. And there 
Sir Gawaine learned the way to sue 
after Sir Galahad, and so he rode to 
the abbey where Melias lay sick, and 
there Sir Melias told Sir Gawaine of 
the marA^ellous adventure that Sir Gala- 
had did. Certes, said Sir Gawaine, I 
am not happy that I took not the way 
that he went ; for, and I may meet with 
him, I will not depart from him lightly, 
for all marvellous adventures Sir Gala- 
had achieveth. Sir, said one of the 
monks, he will not of your fellow- 
ship. Why ? said Sir Gawaine. Sir, 
said he, for ye be wicked and sinful, 
and he is full blessed. 

Right as they thus stood talking 
together, there came in riding Sir Ga- 
reth. And then they made joy either 
of other. And on the morn they heard 
mass, and so departed. And by the 
way they met with Sir Uwaine les 
Avoutres. And there Sir Uwaine told 
Sir Gawaine how he had met with none 
adventure sith he departed from the 
court. Nor we, said Sir Gawaine. 
And either promised other of those 
three knights not to depart while that 
they were in that quest, but if fortune 
caused it. So they departed and rode 
by fortune till that they came by the 
Castle of Maidens. And there the seven 
brethren espied the three knights, and 
said, Sithen we be banished by one 
knight from this castle, we shall destroy 
ail the knights of king Arthur's that we 
may overcome, for the love of Sir Ga- 
lahad. And therewith the seven knights 
set upon the three knights : and by 
fortune Sir Gawaine slew one of the 
brethren, and each one of his fellows 
slew another, and so slew the remnant. 
And then they took the way under the 
castle ; and there they lost the way that 



Sir Galahad rode, and there every each 
of them departed from other, and Sir 
Gawaine rode till he came to an her- 
mitage, and there he found the good 
man saying his evensong of Our Lady. 
And there Sir Gawaine asked harbour 
for charity, and the good man granted 
it him gladly. Then the good man 
asked him what he was ? Sir, he said, I 
am a knight of king Arthur's, that am 
in the quest of the Sancgreal, and my 
name is Sir Gawaine. Sir, said the 
good man, I would wit how it standeth 
betwixt God and you? Sir, said Sir 
Gawaine, I will with a good will shew 
you my life, if it please you. And there 
he told the hermit how a monk of 
an abbey called me wicked knight. 
He might well say it, said the hermit, 
for when ye were first made knight, ye 
should have taken you to knightly deeds 
and virtuous living, and ye have done 
the contrary, for ye have lived mis- 
chievously many winters, and Sir Gala- 
had is a maid, and sinned never, and 
that is the cause he shall achieve where 
he goeth that ye nor none such shall not 
attain, nor none in your fellowship; 
for ye have used the most untruest life 
that ever I heard knight live. For, 
certes, had ye not been so wicked as ye 
are, never had the seven brethren been 
slain by you and your two fellows. 
For Sir Galahad, himself alone, beat 
them all seven the day before, but his 
living is such he shall slay no man 
lightly. Also I may say you, the Castle 
of Maidens betokeneth the good souls 
that were in prison afore the Incarna- 
tion of Jesu Christ. And the seven 
knights betoken the seven deadly sins 
that reigned that time in the world. 
And I may liken the good Galahad unto 
the Son of the High Father, that light 
within a maid, and bought all the souls 
out of thrall : so did Sir Galahad deliver 
all the maidens out of the woful castle. 
Now, Sir Gawaine, said the good man, 
thou must do penance for thy sin. — Sir, 
what penance shall I do? — Such as I 
will give, said the good man. Nay, 
said Sir Gawaine, I may do no penance; 
for we knights adventurous often suffer 



^62 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



great woe and pain. Well, said the 
good man, and then he held his peace. 
And on the morn Sir Gawaine departed 
from the hermit, and betaught him unto 
God. And by adventure he met with 
Sir Aglovale and Sir Griflet, two knights 
of the Table Round. And they two 
rode four days without finding of any 
adventure, and at the fifth day they 
departed. And every each held as fell 
them by adventure. 

Here leaveth the tale of Sir Gawaine 
and his fellows, and speak we of Sir 
Galahad. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How Sir Galahad met with Sir Launcelot 
and with Sir Percivale, and smote them 
down, and departed from them. 

So when Sir Galahad was departed 
from the Castle of Maidens, he rode 
till he came to a waste forest, and there 
he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir 
Percivale, but they knew him not, for 
he was new disguised. Right so, Sir 
Launcelot his father dressed his spear, 
and brake it upon Sir Galahad, and Sir 
Galahad smote him so again, that he 
smote down horse and man. And then 
he drew his sword, and dressed him unto 
Sir Percivale, and smote him so on the 
helm that it rove to the coif of steel, 
and had not the sword swerved Sir 
Percivale had been slain, and with the 
stroke he fell out of his saddle. This 
justs was done tofore the hermitage 
where a recluse dwelled. And when 
she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, God 
be with thee, best knight of the world. 
Ah certes, said she all aloud, that 
Launcelot and Percivale might hear 
it, and yonder two knights had known 
thee as well as I do, they would not have 
encountered with thee. When Sir Ga- 
lahad heard her say so he was sore 
adread to be known : therewith he 
\ smote his horse with his spurs, and 
i rode a great pace froward them. Then 
i perceived they both that he was Ga- 
j lahad, and up they gat on their 
I horses, and rode fast after him, but 
I in a while he was out of their sight. 



And then they turned again with heavy 
cheer. Let us spere some tidings, said 
Percivale, at yonder recluse. Do as ye 
list, said Sir Launcelot. When Sir Per- 
civale came to the recluse, she knew 
him well enough, and Sir Launcelot 
both. But Sir Launcelot rode over- 
thwart and endlong in a wild forest, and 
held no path, but as wild adventure led 
him. And at the last he came to a 
stony cross, which departed two ways 
in waste land, and by the cross was a 
stone that was of marble, but it was so 
dark that Sir Launcelot might not wit 
what it was. Then Sir Launcelot looked 
by him, and saw an old chapel, and 
there he wend to have found people. 
And Sir Launcelot tied his horse till 
a tree, and there he did off his shield, 
and hung it upon a tree. And then he 
went to the chapel door, and found it 
waste and broken. And within he found 
a fair altar full richly arrayed with cloth 
of clean silk, and there stood a fair 
clean candlestick which bare six great 
candles, and the candlestick was of 
silver. And when Sir Launcelot saw 
this light, he had great will for to enter 
into the chapel, but he could find no 
place where he might enter : then was 
he passing \\ea.Yy and dismayed. Then 
he returned and came to his horse, and 
did off his saddle and bridle, and let 
him pasture ; and unlaced his helm, and 
ungirded his sword, and laid him down 
to sleep upon his shield tofore the 
cross. 

CHAP. xvni. 

How Sir Launcelot, half sleeping a7id half 
waking, saw a sick man borne in a 
litter, and how he was healed with the 
Sangreal. 

And so he fell on sleep, and half 
waking and half sleeping he saw come 
by him two palfreys all fair and white, 
the which bare a litter, therein lying a 
sick knight. And when he was nigh the 
cross, he there abode still. All this 
Sir Launcelot saw and beheld, for he 
slept not verily ; and he heard him say. 
Oh, sweet Lord, when shall this sorrow 
leave me? and when shall the holy 



/ 



OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S HUMILIATION. 



363 



vessel come by me where through I 
shall be blessed ? For I have endured 
thus long for little trespass. A full 
great while complained the knight thus, 
and always Sir Launcelot heard it. 
With that Sir Launcelot saw the candle- 
stick with the six tapers come before 
the cross, and he saw nobody that 
brought it. Also there came a table of 
silver, and the holy vessel of the Sanc- 
greal, which Sir Launcelot had seen 
aforetime in king Peschour's house. 
And therewith the sick knight set him 
up, and held up both his hands, and 
said. Fair sweet Lord, which is here 
within this holy vessel, take heed unto 
me, that I may be whole of this malady. 
And therewith on his hands and on 
his knees he went so nigh that he 
touched the holy vessel, and kissed it, 
and anon he was whole, and then he 
said. Lord God I thank thee, for I am 
healed of this sickness. So when the 
holy vessel had been there a great while 
it went unto the chapel, with the 
chandelier and the light, so that Laun- 
celot wist not where it was become, for 
he was overtaken with sin that he had 
no power to arise against the holy 
vessel ; wherefore after that many men 
said of him shame, but he took repent- 
ance after that. Then the sick knight 
dressed him up, and kissed the cross. 
Anon his squire brought him his arms, 
and asked his lord how he did ? Certes, 
said he, I thank God light well, through 
the holy vessel I am healed. But I have 
great marvel of this sleeping knight, that 
had no power to awake when this holy 
vessel was brought hither. I dare right 
well say, said the squire, that he dwelleth 
in some deadly sin, whereof he was 
never confessed. By my faith, said the 
knight, whatsoever he be he is unhappy, 
for as I deem he is of the fellowship of 
the Round Table, the which is entered 
into the quest of the Sancgreal. Sir, 
said the squire, here I have brought you 
all your arms, save your helm and your 
sword, and therefore by my assent now 
may ye take this knight's helm and his 
sword. And so he did. And when he 
was clean aimed he took Sir Laun- 



celot's horse, for he was better than his 
own : and so departed they from the 
cross. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How a voice spahe to Sir Launcelot, and 
how he found his horse and his helm 
borne away, and after went ajoot. 
Then anon Sir Launcelot waked, and 
set him up, and bethought him what he 
had seen there, and whether it were 
dreams or not. Right so heard he a 
voice that said, Sir Laimcelot, more 
harder than is the stone, and more bitter 
than is the wood, and more naked and 
barer than is the leaf of the fig-tree, 
therefore go thou from hence, and with- 
draw thee from this holy place. And 
when Sir Launcelot heard this he was 
passing heavy, and wist not what to do, 
and so departed, sore weeping, and 
cursed the time that he was born. For 
then he deemed never to have had wor- 
ship more. For those words went to 
his heart, till that he knew wherefore 
he was called so. Then Sir Launcelot 
went to the cross, and found his helm, 
his sword, and his horse, taken away. 
And then he called himself a very 
wretch, and most unhappy of all 
knights : and there he said. My sin and 
my wickedness have brought me unto 
great dishonour. For when I sought 
worldly adventures for worldly desires 
I ever achieved them, and had the better 
in every place, and never was I dis- 
comfit in no quarrel, were it right or 
wrong. And now 1 take upon me the 
adventures of holy things, and now I 
see and understand that mine old sin 
hindereth me, and shameth me, so that 
I had no power to stir nor to speak 
when the holy blood appeared afore 
me. So thus he sorrowed till it was 
day, and heard the fowls sing: then 
somewhat he was comforted. But when 
Sir Launcelot missed his horse and his 
harness, then he wist well God was 
displeased with him. Then he departed 
from the cross on foot into a forest. 
And so by prime he came to an 
high hill, and found an hermitage, and 
an hermit therein, which was going 



J 



364 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XIll. 



unto mass. And then Launcelot kneeled 
down and cried on our Lord mercy for 
his wicked works. So when mass was 
done, Launcelot called him, and prayed 
him for charity for to hear his life. 
With a good will, said the good man. 
Sir, said he, be ye of king Arthur's 
court, and of the fellowship of the 
Round Table? Yea forsooth, and my 
name is Sir Launclot du Lake, that hath 
been right well said of, and now my 
good fortune is changed, for I am the 
most wretch of the world. The hermit 
beheld him, and had marvel how he 
was so abashed. Sir, said the hermit, 
ye ought to thank God more than any 
knight living; for He hath caused you 
to have more worldly worship than any 
knight that now liveth. And for your 
presumption to take upon you in deadly 
sin for to be in His presence, where 
His flesh and His blood was, that 
caused you ye might not see it with 
worldly eyes, for He will not appear 
where such sinners be, but if it be 
unto their great hurt, and unto their 
great shame. And there is no knight 
living now that ought to give God so 
great thanks as ye ; for He hath 
given you beauty, seemliness, and great 
strength, above all other knights, and 
therefore ye are the more beholding 
unto God than any other man to love 
Him and dread Him ; for your strength 
and manhood will little avail you and 
God be against you. 

CHAP. XX. 

How Sir Launcelot tvas shriven, and what 
sorrow he made ; and of the good en- 
samples which were shewed him. 

Then Sir Launcelot wept with heavy 
cheer, and said. Now I know well ye 
say me sooth. Sir, said the good man, 
hide none old sin from me. Truly, said 
Sir Launcelot, that were me full loth 
to discover. For this fourteen years 
I never discovered one thing that I 
have used, and that may I now blame 
my shame and my misadventure. And 
then he told there that good man all 
his life, and how he had loved a 



queen unmeasurably, and out of measure 
long ; — and all my great deeds of arms 
that 1 have done, I did the most part for 
the queen's sake, and for her sake would 
I do battle were it right or wrong, 
and never did I battle all only for 
God's sake, but for to win worship, and 
to cause me to be the better beloved, 
and little or nought I thanked God of 
it. Then Sir Launcelot said, I pray 
you counsel me. I will counsel you, 
said the hermit, if ye will ensure me 
that ye will never come in that queen's 
fellowship, as much as ye may forbear. 
And then Sir Launcelot promised him 
he would not, by the faith of his body. 
Look that your heart and your mouth 
accord, said the good man, and I shall 
ensure you ye shall have more wor- 
ship than ever ye had. Holy father, 
said Sir Launcelot, I marvel of the 
voice that said to me mai"vellous words, 
as ye have heard toforehand. Have ye 
no marvel, said the good man, thereof; 
for it seemeth well God loveth you ; for 
men may understand a stone is hard 
of kind, and namely one more than 
another, and that is to understand by 
thee Sir Launcelot, for thou wilt not 
leave thy sin for no goodness that God 
hath sent thee, therefore thou art more 
than any stone, and never wouldest 
thou be made soft nor by water nor 
by fire, and that is, the heat of the Holy 
Ghost may not enter in thee. Now 
take heed ; in all the world men shall 
not find one knight to whom our Lord 
hath given so much of grace as He 
hath given you : for He hath given 
you fairness with seemliness: He hath 
given thee wit, discretion to know good 
from evil : He hath given thee prowess 
and hardiness ; and given thee to work 
so largely that thou hast had at all 
days the better wheresoever thou camest. 
And now our Lord will suffer thee 
no longer, but that thou shalt know 
Him, whether thou wilt or nilt. And 
why the voice called thee bitterer than 
wood, for where overmuch sin dwelleth, 
there may be but little sweetness, where- 
fore thou art likened to an old rotten 
tree. Now have I shewed thee why 



SIR PERCIVALE FINDS HIS AUNT. 



365 



thou art harder than the stone, and 
bitterer than the tree. Now shall I 
shew thee why thou art more naked 
and barer than the fig-tree. It befell 
that our Lord on Palm-Sunday preached 
in Jerusalem, and there He found in the 
people that all hardness was harboured 
in them, and there He found in all the 
town not one that would harbour Him. 
And then He went without the town, 
and found in the midst of the way a 
fig-tree, the which was right fair and 
well garnished of leaves, but fruit had 
it none. Then our Lord cursed the tree 
that bare no fruit ; that betokeneth the 
fig-tree unto Jerusalem, that had leaves 
and no fruit. So thou. Sir Launcelot, 
when the holy Graile was brought afore 
thee, He found in thee no fruit, nor 



good thought nor good will, and de- 
fouled with lechery. Certes, said Sir 
Launcelot, all that ye have said is true, 
and from henceforward I cast me by 
the grace of God never to be so wicked 
as I have been, but as to follow knight- 
hood, and to do feats of arms. Then 
the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot 
such penance as he might do, and to 
sue knighthood, and so he assoiled 
him and prayed Sir Launcelot to abide 
with him all that day. I will well, 
said Sir Launcelot, for I have neither 
helm, nor horse, nor sword. As for 
that, said the good man, I shall help 
you or to-morn at even of an horse, 
and all that longeth unto you. And 
then Sir Launcelot repented him 
greatly. 



^exi UxiHij of tije j^btorg of ^gr launcelot. ^nti jbftc foloioetj^ 
of 0gr JPcrcguale Dc galg^ \x>\jit\) i^ tj^e xiiii* boolt. 



Wb^ jpourteentfi 23oofe. 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Percivale came to a recluse, and 
asked counsel; and how she told him 
that she was his aunt. 

Now saith the tale, that when Sir 
Launcelot was ridden after Sir Galahad, 
the which had all these adventures 
above said, Sir Percivale turned again 
unto the recluse, where he deemed to 
have tidings of that knight that Laun- 
celot followed. And so he kneeled 
at her window, and the recluse opened 
it, and asked Sir Percivale what he 
would ? Madam, he said, I am a knight 
of king Arthur's court, and my name is 
Sir Percivale de Galis. When the re- 
cluse heard his name, she had great 
joy of him, for mickle she had loved 
him tofore any other knight, for she 
ought to do so, for she was his aunt. 
And then she commanded the gates to 



be opened, and there he had all the 
cheer that she might make him, and 
all that was in her power was at his 
commandment. So, on the morn, Sir 
Percivale went to the recluse, and asked 
her if she knew that knight with the 
white shield? Sir, said she, why would 
ye wit? Truly, madam, said Sir Per- 
civale, I shall never be well at ease till 
that I know of that knight's fellowship, 
and that I may fight with him, for I 
may not leave him so lightly, for I have 
the shame yet. Ah, Percivale, said she, 
would ye fight with him ? I see well ye 
have great will to be slain as your 
father was, through outrageousness. 
Madam, said Sir Percivale, it seemeth 
by your words that ye know me ? Yea, 
said she, I well ought to know you, for 
I am your aunt, although I be in a 
priory place. For some called me 
some time the queen of the Waste Lands, 
and I was called the queen of most 



366 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XIV. 



riches in the world ; and it pleased me 
never my riches so much as doth my 
poverty. Then Sir Percivale wept for 
very pity, when he knew it was his 
aunt. Ah, fair nephew, said she, Avhen 
heard ye tidings of your mother ? Truly, 
said he, I heard none of her, but I dream 
of her much in my sleep, and therefore 
I wot not whether she be dead or on 
live. Certes, fair nephew, said she, your 
mother is dead ; for after your departing 
from her. she took such a sorrow that 
anon after she was confessed she died. 
Now God have mercy on her soul, 
said Sir Percivale, it sore forethinketh 
me ; but all we must change the life. 
Now fair aunt, tell me what is the 
knight ? I deem it be he that bare the 
red arms on Whitsunday. Wit you well, 
said she, that this is he, for otherwise 
ought he not to do, but to go in red 
arms, and that same knight hath no 
peer, for he worketh all by miracle, 
and he shall nev€r be overcome of no 
earthly man's hand. 

CHAP. 11. 

How Merlin likened the Round Table to 
the world, arid how the knights that 
should achieve the Sangreal should be 
known. 

Also Merlin made the Round Table in 
tokening of the roundness of the world, 
for by the Round Table is the world 
signified by right. For all the world, 
christian and heathen, repair unto the 
Round Table, and when they are chosen 
to be of the fellowship of the Round 
Table, they think them more blessed, 
and more in worship, than if they had 
gotten half the world ; and ye have seen 
that they have lost their fathers and 
their mothers, and all their kin, and 
their wives and their children, for to be 
of your fellowship. It is well seen by 
you ; for since ye departed from your 
mother ye would never see her, ye found 
such a fellowship at the Round Table. 
When Merlin had ordained the Round 
Table, he said, by them which should 
be fellows of the Round Table the truth 
of the Sancgreal should be well known. 



And men asked him how men might 
know them that should best do, and to 
achieve the Sancgreal ? then he said 
there should be three white bulls that 
should achieve it, and the two should 
be maidens, and the third should be 
chaste. And that one of the three 
should pass his father as much as the 
lion passeth the libard, both of strength 
and hardiness. They that heard Merlin 
say so, said thus unto Merlin : Sithen 
there shall be such a knight, thou 
shouldst ordain by thy crafts a siege that 
no man should sit in it but he all only 
that shall pass all other knights. Then 
Merlin answered that he would do so. 
And then he made the siege perilous, 
in the which Galahad sat in at his 
meat on Whitsunday last past. Now 
madam, said Sir Percivale, so much 
have I heard of you, that by my good 
will I will never have ado with Sir Ga- 
lahad, but by way of kindness. And for 
God's love, fair aunt, can ye teach me 
some way where I may find him, for 
much would I love the fellowship of 
him? Fair nephew, said she, ye must 
ride unto a castle the which is called 
Goothe, where he hath a cousin geiTnan, 
and there may ye be lodged this night. 
And as he teacheth you, sue after as 
fast as ye can, and if he can tell you no 
tidings of him, ride straight unto the 
castle of Carbonek, where the maimed 
king is there lying, for there shall ye 
hear true tidings of him. 

CHAP. in. 

How Sir Percivale came into a monastery, 
where he found king Evelake, which was 
an old 7nan. 

Then departed Sir Percivale from his 
aunt, either making great sorrow. And 
so he rode till evensong time. And 
then he heard a clock smite. And then 
he was ware of a house closed well with 
walls and deep ditches, and there he 
knocked at the gate, and was let in, and 
he alight, and was led unto a chamber, 
and soon he was unarmed. And there 
he had right good cheer all that night, 
and on the morn he heard his mass, and 



SIR PERCIVALE SEES EVELAKE. 



367 



in the monastery he found a priest ready 
at the altar. And on the right side he 
saw a pew closed with iron, and behind 
the altar he saw a rich bed and a fair, 
as of cloth of silk and gold. Then Sir 
Percivale espied that therein was a man 
or a woman, for the visage was covered. 
Then he left off his looking, and heard 
his service. And when it came to the 
sacring, he that lay within that perclose 
dressed him up, and uncovered his 
head, and then him beseemed a passing 
old man, and he had a crown of gold 
upon his head, and his shoulders were 
naked and uncovered unto his middle. 
And then Sir Percivale espied his body 
was full of great wounds, both on the 
shoulders, arms, and visage. And ever 
he held up his hands unto our Lord's 
body, and cried. Fair sweet Father Jesu 
Christ, forget not me, and so he lay 
down, but always he was in his prayers 
and orisons : and him seemed to be of 
the age of three hundred winter. And 
when the mass was done, the priest took 
our Lord's body and bare it to the sick 
king. And when he had used it, he did 
off his crown, and commanded the 
crown to be set on the altar. Then Sir 
Percivale asked one of the brethren 
what he was. Sir, said the good man, 
ye have heard much of Joseph of Ar- 
mathie, how he was sent by Jesu Christ 
into this land, for to teach and preach 
the holy christian faith, and therefore he 
suffered many persecutions, the which 
the enemies of Christ did unto him. 
And in the city of Sarras he converted 
a king whose name was Evelake. And 
so this king came with Joseph into this 
land : and always he was busy to be 
there as the Sancgreal was, and on a 
time he nighed it so nigh that our 
Lord was displeased with him, but ever 
he followed it more and more, till 
God struck him almost blind. Then 
this king cried mercy, and said. Fair 
Lord, let me never die till the good 
knight of my blood of the ninth degree 
be come, that I may see him openly 
that he shall achieve the Sancgreal, that 
I may kiss him. 



CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Percivale saw many men of arms:, 
bearing a dead hiight, and how he 
fought against them. 

When the king thus had made his 
prayers, he heard a voice that said, 
Heard be thy prayers, for thou shalt 
not die till he have kissed thee : and 
when that knight shall come, the clear- 
ness of your eyes shall come again, and 
thou shalt see openly, and thy wounds 
shall be healed, and erst shall they 
never close. And this befell of king 
Evelake : and this same king hath lived 
this three hundred winters this holy life. 
And men say the knight is in the court 
that shall heal him. Sir, said the good 
man, I pray you tell me what knight 
that ye be, and if ye be of king Arthur's 
court and of the Table Round? Yea, 
forsooth, said he, and my name is Sir 
Percivale de Galis. And when the good 
man understood his name, he made 
great joy of him. And then Sir Perci- 
vale departed, and rode till the hour of 
noon. And he met in a valley about 
twenty men of arms, which bear in a 
bier a knight deadly slain. And when 
they saw Sir Percivale, they asked him 
of whence he was ? and he answered. Of 
the court of king Arthur. Then they 
cried all at once. Slay him. Then Sir 
Percivale smote the first to the earth, 
and his horse upon him. And then 
seven of the knights smote upon his 
shield all at once, and the remnant slew 
his horse, so that he fell to the earth. 
So had they slain him or taken him, had 
not the good knight Sir Galahad, with 
the red arms, come there by adventure 
into those parts. And when he saw all 
those knights upon one knight, he cried. 
Save me that knight's life. And then 
he dressed him toward the twenty men 
of arms as fast as his horse might drive, 
with his spear in the rest, and smote 
the foremost horse and man to the 
earth. And when his spear was broken 
he set his hand to his sword, and smote 
on the right hand and on the left hand, 
that it was marvel to see. And at 
every stroke he smote one down, or put 



368 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XIV. 



him to a rebuke, so that they would 
fight no more, but fled to a thick forest, 
and Sir Galahad followed them. And 
when Sir Percivale saw him chase them 
so, he made great sorrow that his horse 
was away. And then he wist well it 
was Sir Galahad. And then he cried 
aloud. Ah fair knight, abide and suffer 
me to do thankings unto thee, for much 
have ye done for me ! But ever Sir Ga- 
lahad rode so fast, that at the last he 
passed out of his sight. And as fast as 
Sir Percivale might he went after him 
on foot, crying. And then he met with 
a yeoman riding upon an hackney, the 
which led in his hand a great black 
steed, blacker than any bear. Ah fair 
friend, said Sir Percivale, as ever I may 
do for you, and to be your true knight 
in the first place ye will require me, 
that ye will lend me that black steed, 
that I might overtake a knight, the 
which rideth afore me. Sir knight, 
said the yeoman, I pray you hold me 
excused of that, for that I may not do. 
For wit ye well, the horse is such a man's 
horse, that, and I lent it you or any 
other man, that he would slay me. Alas, 
said Sir Percivale, I had never so great 
sorrow as I have had for losing of 
yonder knight. Sir, said the yeoman, 
I am right heavy for you, for a good 
horse would beseem you well, but I 
dare not deliver you this horse, but if 
ye would take him from me. That will 
I not do, said Sir Percivale. And so 
they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him 
down under a tree, and made sorrow 
out of measure. And as he was there, 
there came a knight riding on the horse 
that the yeoman led, and he was clean 
armed. 

CHAP. V. 

How a yeoman desired him to get again 
an horse, arid how Sir Percivale's hack- 
7iey was slain, and how he gat an horse. 

And anon the yeoman came pricking 
after as fast as ever he might, and asked 
Sir Percivale if he saw any knight riding 
on his black steed ? Yea sir, forsooth, 
said he, why ask ye me that ? Ah, sir, 
that steed he hath taken from me with 



strength, wherefore my lord will slay 
me in what place he findeth me. Well, 
said Sir Percivale, what wouldest thou 
that I did? thou seest well that I am 
on foot, but and I had a good horse 
I should bring him soon again. Sir, 
said the yeoman, take mine hackney 
and do the best ye can, and I shall 
follow you on foot, to wit how that ye 
shall speed. Then Sir Percivale alight 
upon that hackney, and rode as fast as 
he might. And at the last he saw that 
knight. And then he cried. Knight, 
turn again ; and he turned, and set his 
spear against Sir Percivale, and he 
smote the hackney in the midst of the 
breast, that he fell down dead to the 
earth, and there he had a great fall, and 
the other rode his way. And then Sir 
Percivale was wood wroth, and cried. 
Abide, wicked knight, coward and false- 
hearted knight, turn again and fight with 
me on foot. But he answered not, but 
past on his way. When Sir Percivale 
saw he would not turn, he cast away his 
helm and sword, and said, Now am I a 
very wretch, cursed, and most unhappy 
above all other knights. So in this sor- 
row he abode all that day till it was 
night, and then he was faint, and laid him 
down and slept till it was midnight. 
And then he awaked, and saw afore 
him a woman which said unto him 
right fiercely. Sir Percivale, what doest 
thou here ? He answered and said, I do 
neither good nor great ill. If thou wilt 
ensure me, said she, that thou wilt fulfil 
my will when I summon thee, I shall 
lend thee mine own horse, which shall 
bear thee whither thou wilt. Sir Perci- 
vale was glad of her proffer, and en- 
sured her to fulfil all her desire. — Then 
abide me here, and I shall go fetch you 
an horse. And so she came soon again, 
and brought an horse with her that was 
inly black. When Sir Percivale beheld 
that horse, he marvelled that it was so 
great and so well apparelled : and not 
for then he was so hardy, and he lept 
upon him, and took none heed of him- 
self. And so anon as he was upon him 
he thrust to him with his spurs, and so 
rode by a forest, and the moon shone 



CHAP. VI. PERCIVALE SEES A LION AND SERPENT FIGHT. 



369 



clear. And within an hour and less, he 
bare him four days' journey thence, till 
he came to a rough water the which 
roared, and his horse would have borne 
him into it. 

CHAP. VI. 

0/ the great danger that Sir Percivale 
was in by his horse, and hoiv he saw a 
serpent and a lion fight. 

And when Sir Percivale came nigh 
the brim, and saw the water so bois- 
terous, he doubted to overpass it. And 
then he made a sign of the cross in his 
forehead. When the fiend felt him so 
charged, he shook off Sir Percivale, and 
he went into the water, crying and 
roaring, making great sorrow ; and it 
seemed unto him that the water burnt. 
Then Sir Percivale perceived it was a 
fiend, the which M'ould have brought 
him unto his perdition. Then he com- 
mended himself unto God, and prayed 
our Lord to keep him from all such 
temptations. And so he prayed all that 
night, till on the mom that it was day. 
Then he saw that he was in a wild moun- 
tain the which was closed with the sea 
nigh all about, that he might see no 
land about him which might relieve 
him, but wild beasts. And then he went 
into a valley, and there he saw a young 
serpent bring a young lion by the neck, 
and so he came by Sir Percivale. With 
that came a great lion crying and roar- 
ing after the serpent. And as fast as Sir 
Percivale saw this, he marvelled, and 
hied him thither, but anon the lion had 
overtaken the serpent, and began battle 
with him. And then Sir Percivale 
thought to help the lion, for he was the 
more natural beast of the two ; and 
therewith he drew his sword, and set 
his shield afore him, and there gave the 
serpent such a buffet that he had a 
deadly wound. When the lion saw that, 
he made no resemblant to fight with 
him, but made him all the cheer that a 
beast might make a man. Then Sir 
Percivale perceived that, and cast down 
his shield, which was broken, and then 
he did off his helm for to gather wind, 
for he was greatly enchafed with the 



serpent. And the lion went alway 
about him fawning as a spaniel. And 
then he stroked him on the neck and on 
the shoulders. And then he thanked 
God of the fellowship of that beast. 
And about noon, the lion took his little 
whelp, and trussed him, and bare him 
there he came from. Then was Sir 
Percivale alone. And as the tale telleth, 
he was one of the men of the world at 
that time that most believed in our 
Lord Jesu Christ. For in these days 
there were few folks that believed in 
God perfectly. For in those days the 
son spared not the father no more than 
a stranger. And so Sir Percivale com- 
forted himself in our Lord Jesu, and 
besought God that no temptation 
should bring him out of God's service, 
but to endure as his true champion. 
Thus when Sir Percivale had prayed, 
he saw the lion come toward him, and 
then he couched down at his feet. And 
so all that night the lion and he slept 
together : and when Sir Percivale slept 
he dreamed a marvellous dream, that 
there two ladies met with him, and that 
one sat upon a lion, and that other sat 
upon a serpent, and that one of them 
was young, and the other was old, and 
the youngest him thought said. Sir 
Percivale, my lord saluteth thee, and 
sendeth thee word that thou array thee 
and make thee ready, for to -morn 
thou must fight with the strongest 
champion of the world. And if thou 
be overcome, thou shalt not be quit for 
losing of any of thy members, but thou 
shalt be shamed for ever to the world's 
end. And then he asked her what was 
her lord. And she said, the greatest 
lord of all the world. And so she 
departed suddenly, that he wist not 
where. 

CHAP. vn. 

Of the vision that Sir Percivale saw, and 
how his vision was expoimded, and of 
his lion. 

Then came forth the other lady that 
rode upon the serpent, and she said. Sir 
Percivale, I complain me of you that ye 
have done unto me, and have not oftended 



24 



370 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



unto you. Certes, madam, said he, unto 
you nor no lady I never offended. Yes, 
said she, I shall tell you why. I have 
nourished in this place a great while a 
serpent, which served me a great while, 
and yesterday ye slew him as he gat his 
piey. Say me for what cause ye slew 
him, for the lion was not yours ? Madam, 
said Sir Percivale, 1 know well the lion 
was not mine, but I did it, for the lion 
is of a more gentler nature than the 
serpent, and therefore I slew him ; me 
seemeth I did not amiss against you. 
Madam, said he, what would ye that I 
did ? I would, said she, for the amends of 
my beast that ye become my man. And 
then he answered, That will I not grant 
you. No, said she, truly ye were never 
but my servant, since ye received the 
homage of our Lord Jesu Christ. There- 
fore 1 ensure you in what place I may 
find you without keeping, I shall take 
you as he that sometime was my man. 
And so she departed from Sir Percivale, 
and left him sleeping, the which was 
sore travailed of his vision. And on 
the mom he rose and blessed him, and 
he was passing feeble. Then was Sir 
Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a 
ship come sailing toward him, and Sir 
Percivale went unto the ship, and found 
it covered within and without with white 
samite. And at the board stood an old 
man clothed in a surplice in likeness of 
a priest. Sir, said Sir Percivale, ye be 
welcome. God keep you, said the good 
man. Sir, said the old man. of whence 
be ye ? Sir, said Sir Percivale, I am of 
king Arthur's court, and a knight of the 
Table Round, the which am in the quest 
of the Sancgreal, and here I am in great 
duresse, and never like to escape out of 
this wilderness. Doubt not, said the 
good man, and ye be so true a knight as 
the order of chivalry requireth, and of 
heart as ye ought to be, ye should not 
doubt that none enemy should slay you. 
What are ye ? said Sir Percivale. Sir, 
said the old man, I am of a strange 
country, and hither I come to comfort 
you. Sir, said Sir Percivale, what sig- 
nifieth my dream that I dreamed this 
night ? And there he told him alto- 



gether. She which rode upon the lion, 
said the good man, betokeneth the new 
law of holy Church, that is to under- 
stand faith, good hope, belief, and bap- 
tism. For she seemed younger than the 
other, it is great reason, for she was born 
in the resurrection and the passion of our 
Lord Jesu Christ. And for great love 
she came to thee, to warn thee of thy 
great battle that shall befall thee. With 
whom, said Sir Percivale, shall I fight ? 
With the most champion of the world, 
said the old man, for, as the lady said, 
but if thou quit thee well, thou shalt 
not be quit by losing of one member, 
but thou shalt be shamed to the world's 
end. And she that rode upon the 
serpent signifieth the old law, and that 
serpent betokeneth a fiend. And why 
she blamed thee that thou slewest her 
servant, it betokeneth nothing : the ser- 
pent that thou slewest betokeneth the 
devil that thou rodest upon to the rock, 
and when thou madest a sign of the 
cross, there thou slewest him, and put 
away his power. And when she asked 
thee amends and to become her man, 
and thou saidest thou wouldest not, 
that was to make thee to believe on her 
and leave thy baptism. So he com- 
manded Sir Percivale to depart. And 
so he lept over the board, and the ship 
and all went away he wist not whither. 
Then he went up unto the rock and 
found the lion, which alway kept him 
fellowship, and he stroked him upon 
the back, and had great joy of him. 

CHAP. vm. 

How Sir Percivale saw a ship coming 
to him-wnrd, and how the lady of the 
ship told hifn of her disheritance. 
By that Sir Percivale had abiden 
there till midday he saw a ship come 
rowing in the sea as all the wind of the 
world had driven it. And so it drove 
under that rock. And when Sir Perci- 
vale saw this, he hied him thither, and 
found the ship covered with silk more 
blacker than any bier, and therein was 
a gentlewoman of great beauty, and she 
was clothed richly that none might be 
better. And when she saw Sir Perci- 



PERCIVALE IS SAVED FROM THE FIEND. 



371 



vale, she said, Who brought you in this 
wilderness where ye be never like to 
pass hence? for ye shall die here for 
hunger and mischief. Damsel, said Sir 
Percivale, I serve the best man of the 
world, and in his service he will not 
suffer me to die, for who that knocketh 
shall enter, and who that asketh shall 
have, and who that seeketh him, he 
hideth him not. But then she said, Sir 
Percivale wot ye what I am ? Yea, said 
he. Now who taught you my name ? 
said she. Now, said Sir Percivale, I 
know you better than ye ween. And I 
came out of the waste forest, where 
I found the red knight with the white 
shield, said the damsel. Ah damsel, 
said he, with that knight would I meet 
passing fain. Sir, said she, and ye will 
ensure me, by the faith that ye owe unto 
knighthood, that ye shall do my will 
what time I summon you, I shall bring 
you unto that knight. Yea, said he, I 
shall promise you to fulfil your desire. 
Well, said she, now shall I tell you, I 
saw him in the forest chasing two 
knights to a water, the which is called 
Mortaise, and he drove them into that 
water for dread of death, and the two 
knights passed over, and the red knight 
passed after, and there his horse was 
drenched, and he through great strength 
escaped unto the land. Thus she told 
him, and Sir Percivale was passing glad 
thereof. Then she asked him if he 
had eaten any meat late ? Nay madam, 
truly I ate no meat nigh these three 
days, but late here I spake with a good 
man that fed me with his good words 
and holy, and refreshed me greatly. 
Ah, sir knight, said she, that same man 
is an enchanter, and a multiplier of 
words. For, and ye believe him, ye 
shall plainly be shamed, and die in this 
rock for pure hunger, and be eaten with 
wild beasts, and ye be a young man and 
a goodly knight, and I shall help you 
and ye will. What are ye? said Sir 
Percivale, that proffereth me thus great 
kindness. I am, said she, a gentle- 
woman that am disherited, which was 
sometime the richest woman of the 
world. Damsel, said Sir Percivale, who 



hath disherited you, for I have great 
pity of you ? Sir, said she, I dwelled 
with the greatest man of the world, and 
he made me so fair and so clear that 
there was none like me, and of that 
great beauty I had a little pride, more 
than I ought to have had. Also, I said 
a word that pleased him not. And 
then he would not suffer me to be any 
longer in his company, and so drove me 
from mine heritage, and so disherited 
me, and he had never pity of me nor of 
none of my council, nor of my court. 
And sithen, sir knight, it hath befallen 
me so, and through me and mine I have 
taken from him many of his men, and 
made them to become my men. For 
they ask never nothing of me but I give 
it tliem, that and much more. Thus I 
and all my servants war against him | 
night and day. Therefore I know now j 
no good knight, nor no good man, but I 
I get them on my side and I may. And j 
for that I know that thou art a good ' 
knight, I beseech you to help me. And ' 
for ye be a fellow of the Round Table, 
wherefore ye ought not to fail no gen- 
tlewoman which is disherited, and she 
besought you of help. 

CHAP. IX. I 

How Sir Percivale promised her help, and 

how he required her of love, and bow be 

was saved from the fiend. 

Then Sir Percivale promised her all 
the help that he might. And then she 
thanked him. And at that time the 
weather was hot, and then she called 
unto her a gentlewoman, and bad her 
bring forth a pavilion ; and so she did, 
and pight it upon the gravel. Sir, said 
she, now may ye rest you in this heat of 
tlie day. Then he thanked her, and she 
put olf his helm and his shield, and 
there he slept a great while. And then 
he awoke, and asked her if she had any 
meat, and she said. Yea, also ye shall 
have enough ; and so there was set 
enough upon the table, and thereon so 
much that he had marvel, for there was 
all manner of meats that he could think 
on. Also L*. diank there the strongest 
wine that ever he drank, him thought, 



24—2 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XIV. 



and therewith he was a little heated 
more than he ought to be. With that 
he beheld the gentlewoman, and him 
thought that she was the fairest creature 
that ever he saw. And then Sir Per- 
civale proffered her love, and prayed her 
that she would be his. Then she refused 
him in a manner when he required her, 
for the cause he should be the more 
ardent on her, and ever he ceased not 
to pray her of love. And when she 
saw him well enchafed, then she said, 
Sir Percivale, wit ye well, I shall not 
fulfil your will, but if ye swear from 
henceforth ye shall be my true servant, 
and to do nothing but that I shall com- 
mand you : will ye ensure me this as ye 
be a true kniglit? Yea, said he, fair 
lady, by the faith of my body. Well, 
said slie, now shall ye do with me what- 
so it please you, and now wit ye well 
that ye are the knight in the world that 
I have most desire to. And then Sir 
Percivale came near to her, to proffer 
her love, and by adventure and grace 
he saw his sword lie upon the ground 
all naked, in whose pommel was a red 
cross, and the sign of the crucifix 
therein, and bethought him on his 
knighthood, and his promise made 
toforehand unto the good man. Then 
he made the sign of the cross in his 
forehead, and therewith the pavilion 
turned up so down, and then it changed 
unto a smoke and a black cloud, and 
then he was adread, and cried aloud, — 

CHAP. X. 
How Sir Percivale for penance rove him- 
self throtigh the thigh; and how she 
was known for the devil. 
Fair sweet Father, Jesu Christ, ne let 
me not be shamed, the which was near 
lost had not thy good grace been ! And 
then he looked into a ship, and saw her 
enter therein, which said, Sir Percivale, 
ye have betrayed me. And so she went 
with the wind roaring and yelUng, that 
it seemed that all the water burnt after 



her. Then Sir Percivale made great 
sorrow, and drew his sword imto him, 
saying, Sithen my flesh will be my 
master, I shall punish it. And therewith 
he rove himself through the thigh, that 
the blood start about him, and said, O 
good Lord, take this in recompensation 
of that I have done against thee my 
Lord. So then he clothed him and 
armed him, and called himself a wretch, 
saying. How nigh was I lost, and to 
have lost that I should never have got- 
ten again, that was my virginity, for 
that may never be recovered after it is 
once lost. And then he stopped his 
bleeding wound with a piece of his 
shirt. Thus as he made his moan, he 
saw the same ship come from the Orient 
that the good man was in the day before : 
and the noble knight was ashamed with 
himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon. 
And when he awoke he went unto him 
weakly, and there he saluted this good 
man. And then he asked Sir Percivale, 
How hast thou done sith I departed? 
Sir, said he, here was a gentlewoman, 
and led me into deadly sin : and there 
he told him altogether. Knew ye not 
the maid? said the good man. Sir, 
said he, nay : but well I wot the fiend 
sent her hither to shame me. Oh, good 
knight, said he, thou art a fool, for that 
gentlewoman was the master fiend of 
hell, the which hath power above all 
devils, and that was the old lady that 
thou sawest in thy vision riding on the 
serpent. Then he told Sir Percivale 
how our Lord Jesu Christ beat him out 
of heaven for his sin, the which was the 
most brightest angel of heaven, and 
therefore he lost his heritage, and that 
was the champion that thou foughtest 
withal, the which had overcome thee, 
had not the grace of God been : now 
beware. Sir Percivale, and take this for 
an ensample. And then the good man 
vanished away. Then Sir Percivale took 
his arms, and entered into the ship, and 
so departed from thence. 



f)tx( folotoftjb of isgrc launcclot toj^ifl^f i^ t\)t fsftentjb hooh. 



AGAIN OF SIR LAUNCELOT. 



373 



®6c JFiftttntS 23ooL 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Launcelot came into a chapel, 
where he found dead, in a white shirt, a 
man of religion of an hundred winter 
old. 

When the hermit had kept Sir Laun- 
celot three days, the hermit gat him an 
horse, an helm, and a sword. And then 
he departed about the hour of noon. 
And then he saw a Httle house, and 
when he came near he saw a chapel, 
and there beside he saw an old man 
that was clothed all in white full richly, 
and then Sir Launcelot said, God save 
you. God keep you, said the good 
man, and make you a good knight. 
Then Sir Launcelot alight, and entered 
into the chapel, and there he saw an old 
man dead, in a white shirt of passing 
fine cloth. Sir, said the good man, this 
man that is dead ought not to be in such 
clothing as ye see him in, for in that 
he brake the oath of his order. For he 
hath been more than an hundred winters 
a man of a religion. And then the good 
man and Sir Launcelot went into the 
chapel, and the good man took a stole 
about his neck, and a book, and then he 
conjured on that book, and with that 
they saw in an hideous figure and an 
horrible, that tliere was no man so hard- 
hearted nor so hard but he should have 
been afeard. Then said the fiend. Thou 
hast travailed me greatly, now tell 
me what thou v/ilt with me? I will, 
said the good man, that thou tell me 
how my fellow became dead, and 
whether he be saved or damned ? Then 
he said with a horrible voice. He is not 
lost, but saved. How may that be ? said 
the good man ; it seemed to me that 
he lived not well, for he brake his order 
for to wear a shirt, where he ought to 
wear none : and who that trespasseth 
against our order doth not well. Not 
so, said the fiend, this man that lieth 



here dead was come of a great lineage. 
And there was a lord that hight the 
earl de Vale, that held great war against 
this man's nephew, the which hight 
Aguarus. And so this Aguarus saw the 
earl was bigger than he, then he went 
for to take counsel of his uncle, the 
which lieth here dead as ye may see. 
And then he asked leave, and went out 
of his hermitage for to maintain his 
nephew against the mighty earl. And 
so it happed that this man that lieth 
here dead did so much by his wisdom 
and hardiness that the earl was taken, 
and three of his lords, by force of this 
dead man. 

CHAP. n. 

Of a dead man, bow men would have 
hewen him, and it would not be, and 
how Sir Launcelot took the hair of the 
dead man. 

Then was there peace betwixt the 
earl and this Aguarus, and great surety 
that the earl should never war against 
him. Then this dead man that here 
lieth came to this hermitage again, and 
then the earl made two of his nephews 
for to be avenged upon this man. So 
they came on a day, and found this dead 
man at the sacring of his mass, and they 
abode him till he had said mass. And 
then they set upon him and drew out 
swords to have slain him. But there 
would no sword bite on him, more than 
upon a gad of steel, for the high Lord 
which he served he him preserved. Then 
made they a great fire, and did off all 
his cloathes and the hair off his back ; 
and then this dead man hennit said 
unto them. Ween ye to burn me? It 
shall not lie in your power, nor to 
perish me as much as a thread, and 
there were any on my body. No 1 said 
one of them, it shall be assayed. And 
then they despoiled him, and put upon 
him this shirt, and cast him in a fire, 



374 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



and there he lay all that night till it was 
day, in that fire, and was not dead. 
And so in the morn I came and found 
him dead, but I found neither thread 
nor skin perished ; and so took him out 
of the fire with great fear, and laid him 
here as ye may see. And now may ye 
suffer me to go my way, for I have said 
you the truth. And then he departed 
with a great tempest. Then was the 
good man and Sir Launcelot more 
gladder than they were tofore. And 
then Sir Launcelot dwelled with that 
good man that night. Sir, said the 
good man, be ye not Sir Launcelot du 
Lake? Yea, sir, said he. What seek 
ye in this country ? Sir, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I go to seek the adventures of the 
Sancgreal. Well, said he, seek it ye may 
well, but though it were here ye shall 
have no power to see it, no more than 
a blind man should see a bright sword, 
and that is long on your sin, and else 
ye were more abler than any man living. 
And then Sir Launcelot began to weep. 
Then said the good man, Were ye con- 
fessed sith ye entered into the quest of 
the Sancgreal ? Yea, sir, said Sir Laun- 
celot. Then upon the morn, when the 
good man had sung his mass, then they 
buried the dead man. Then Sir Laun- 
celot said, feather, what shall I do? 
Now, said the good man, I require you 
take this hair that was this holy man's, 
and put it next thy skin, and it shall 
prevail thee greatly. Sir, and I will 
do it, said Sir Launcelot. Also I charge 
you that ye eat no flesh as long as ye 
be in the quest of the Sancgreal, nor ye 
shall drink no wine,- and that ye hear 
mass daily and ye may do it. So he 
took the hair and put it upon him, and 
so departed at evensong time. And so 
rode he into a forest, and there he met 
with a gentlewoman riding upon a white 
palfrey, and then she asked him, Sir 
knight, whither ride ye ? Certes dam- 
sel, said Launcelot, I wot not whither I 
ride, but as fortune leadeth me. Ah, 
Sir Launcelot, said she, I wot what 
adventure ye seek, for ye were afore- 
-time nearer than ye be now, and yet 
shall ye see it more openly than ever 



ye did, and that shall ye understand in 
short time. Then Sir Launcelot asked 
her where he might be harboured that 
night? Ye shall not find this day nor 
night, but to-morn ye shall find harbour 
good, and ease of that ye be in doubt 
of. And then he commended her unto 
God. Then he rode till that he came 
to a cross, and took that for his host 
as for that night. 

CHAP. III. 

Of a vision that Sir Launcelot bad, and 
how he told it to an hermit, and desired 
counsel of him. 

And so he put his horse to pasture, 
and did off his helm and his shield, and 
made his prayers unto the cross that 
he never fall in deadly sin again. 
And so he laid him down to sleep. 
And anon as he was asleep it befell him 
there a vision, that there came a man 
afore him all by compass of stars, and 
that man had a crown of gold on his 
head, and that man led in his fellowship 
seven kings and two knights. And all 
these worshipped the cross, kneeling 
upon their knees, holding up their 
hands towards the heaven ; and all they 
said. Fair sweet Father of heaven, come 
and visit us, and yield unto us every 
each as we have deserved. Then looked 
Launcelot up to the heaven, and him 
seemed the clouds did open, and an old 
man came down with a company of 
angels, and alight among them, and gave 
unto every each his blessing, and called 
them his servants, and good and true 
knights. And when this old man had 
said thus, he came to one of those 
knights and said, I have lost all that 
I have set in thee, for thou hast ruled 
thee against me as a warrior, and used 
wrong wars with vain glory, more for 
the pleasure of the world than to please 
me, therefore thou shalt be confounded 
without thou yield me my treasure. All 
this vision saw Sir Launcelot at the 
cross. And on the morn he took his 
horse and rode till mid day, and there, 
by adventure, he met with the same 
knight that took his horse, his helm, 



THE HERMIT EXPOUNDS HIS VISION. 



375 



and his sword, when he slept when the 
Sancgreal appeared afore the cross. 
^^'hen Sir Launcelot saw him he sa- 
luted him not fair, but cried on high, 
Knight, keep thee, for thou hast done 
to me great unkindness. And then they 
put afore them their spears, and Sir 
Launcelot came so fiercely upon him 
that he smote him and his horse down 
to the earth, that he had nigh broken his 
neck. Then Sir Launcelot took the 
knight's horse, that was his own afore- 
hand, and descended from the horse he 
sat upon, and tied the knight's own 
horse to a tree, that he might find that 
horse when that he was arisen. 

Then Sir Launcelot rode till night, 
and by adventure he met an hermit, and 
each of them saluted other, and there 
he rested with that good man all night, 
and gave his horse such as he might 
get. Then said the good man unto 
Launcelot, Of whence be ye ? Sir, said 
he, I am of Arthur's court, and my 
name is Sir Launcelot du Lake, that 
am in the quest of the Sancgreal. And 
therefore I pray you to counsel me of 
a vision, the which I had 9.t the cross. 
And so he told him all. 

CHAP. IV. 

Hgw the hermit expounded to Sir Laun- 
celot his vision, and told bim that Sir 
Galahad was his son. 

Lo, Sir Launcelot, said the good man, 
there thou mightest understand the high 
lineage that thou art come of, and thy 
vision betokeneth : After the passion of 
Jesu Christ forty years, Joseph of Ara- 
mathie preached the victory of king 
Evelake, that he had in the battles the 
better of his enemies. And of the seven 
kings and the two knights : the first of 
them is called Nappus, an holy man ; 
and the second hight Nacien, in remem- 
brance of his grandsire, and in him 
dwelled our Lord Jesu Christ ; and the 
third was called Hellias le Grose ; and 
the fourth hight Lisais ; and the fifth 
hight Jonas, he departed out of his 
country and went into Wales, and took 
the daughter of Manuel, whereby he 



had the land of Gaul, and he came to 
dwell in this country, and of him came 
king Launcelot thy grandsire, which 
there wedded the king's daughter of 
Ireland, and he was as worthy a man 
as thou art, and of him came king Ban 
thy father, the which was the last of 
the seven kings. And by thee, Sir 
Launcelot, it signifieth that the angels 
said thou were none of the seven fel- 
lowships. And the last was the ninth 
knight, he was signified to a lion, for 
he should pass all manner of earthly 
knights, that is Sir Galahad, the which 
Ihou gat of king Pelles' daughter, and 
thou ought to thank God more than 
any other man living; for of a sinner 
earthly thou hast no peer as in knight- 
hood, nor never shall be. But little 
thank hast thou given to God for all 
the great virtues that God hath lent 
thee. 

Sir, said Launcelot, ye say that that 
good knight is my son. That oughtest 
thou to kiiow, and no man better, said 
the good man, for by the daughter of 
king Pelles thou hadst Galahad, and 
that was he that at the feast of Pente- 
cost sat in the siege perilous, and there- 
fore make thou it known openly that he 
is thy son, for that will be your worship 
and honour, and to all thy kindred. 
And I counsel you in no place press 
not upon him to have ado with him. 
Well, said Launcelot, me seemeth that 
good knight should pray for me unto 
the high Father that I fall not to sin 
again. Trust thou ^vell, said the good 
man, thou farest much the better for 
his prayer; but the son shall not bear 
the wickedness of the father, nor the 
father shall not bear the wickedness of 
the son, but eveiy each shall bear his 
own burthen ; and therefore beseek 
thou only God, and he will help thee in 
all thy needs. And then Sir Launcelot 
and he went to supper, and so laid him 
to rest, and the hair pricked so Sir 
Launcelot's skin, which grieved him full 
sore, but he took it meekly, and suffered 
the pain. And so on the morn he 
heard his mass, and took his arms, and 
so took his leave. 



376 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. V. 

Hoiu Sir Lmmcelot justed with many 
knights, and hoiv he was taken. 

And then he mounted upon his horse 
and rode into a forest, and held no 
highway. And as he looked afore him 
he saw a fair plain, and beside that a 
fair castle, and afore the castle were 
many pavilions of silk and of divers 
hue. And him seemed that he saw 
there five hundred knights riding on 
horseback, and there were two parties ; 
they that were of the castle were all on 
black horses, and their trappings black. 
And they that were without were all 
on white horses and trappings : and 
every each hurtled to other, that it 
marvelled Sir Launcelot. And at the 
last him thought they of the castle were 
put to the worse. Then thought Sir 
Launcelot for to help there the weaker 
party, in increasing of his chivalry. And 
so Sir Launcelot thrust in among the 
party of the castle, and smote down a 
knight, horse and man, to the earth. 
And then he rashed here and there, and 
did marvellous deeds of amis. And 
then he drew out his sword and strake 
many knights to the earth, so that all 
those that saw him marvelled that ever 
one knight might do so great deeds of 
arms. But always the white knights 
held them nigh about Sir Launcelot, for 
to tire him and wind him. 

But at the last, as a man may not 
ever endure. Sir Launcelot w^axed so 
faint of fighting and travailing, and was 
so weary of his great deeds, that he 
might not lift up his arms for to give 
one stroke, so that he wend never to 
have borne arms: and then they all 
took him and led him away into a 
forest, and there made him to alight 
and to rest him. And then all the fel- 
lowship of the castle were overcome for 
the default of him, and then they said 
all unto Sir Launcelot, Blessed be God 
that ye be now of our fellowship, for we 
shall hold you in our prison. And so 
they left him with few words. And 
then Sir Launcelot made great sorrow, 
— For never or now was I never at 



tournament nor justs but I had the 
best, and now 1 am shamed. And 
then he said. Now I am sure that I am 
more sinfuller than ever I was. Thus 
he rode sorrowing, and half a day was 
he out of despair, till that he came into 
a deep valley, and when Sir Launcelot 
saw he might not ride up into the 
mountain, he there alight under an 
apple-tree, and there he left his helm 
and his shield, and put his horse unto 
pasture. And then he laid him down to 
sleep. And then him thought there 
came an old man afore him, the which 
said. Ah, Launcelot, of evil faith and 
poor belief, wherefore is thy will turned 
so lightly towards thy deadly sin ? And 
when he had said thus he vanished 
away, and Launcelot wist not where he 
was become. Then he took his horse, 
and armed him. And as he rode by the 
way he saw a chapel, where was a re- 
cluse, which had a window that she 
might see up to the altar. And all 
aloud she called Launcelot, for that he 
seemed a knight errant. And then he 
came, and she asked him what he was, 
and of what place, and where about he 
went to seek. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Sir Launcelot told his vision unto 
a woman, atid how she expounded it to 
him. 

And then he told her altogether word 
by word, and the truth how it befel him 
at the tournament. And after told her 
his vision, that he had had that night in 
his sleep, and prayed her to tell him 
what it might mean, for he was not well 
content with it. Ah, Launcelot, said 
she, as long as ye were knight of earthly 
knighthood, ye were the most marvellous 
man of the world, and most adven- 
turous. Now, said the lady, since ye be 
set among the knights of heavenly ad- 
ventures, if adventure fell the contrary , 
at that tournament, have thou no mar- 
vel ; for that tournament yesterday was 
but a tokening of our Lord. And not for 
then there was none enchantment, for 
they at the toxirnament were earthly 



CHAP. VI. THE MEANING OF SIR LAUNCELOT'S ADVENTURE. 



377 



knights. The tournament was a token 
for to see who should have most knights, 
either Eliazar the son of king Pelles, or 
Argustus the son of king Harlon ; but 
Eliazar was all clothed in white, and 
Argustus was covered in black, the 
which were come. All what this be- 
tokeneth I shall tell you. The day of 
Pentecost, when king Arthur held his 
court, it befell that earthly kings and 
knights took a tournament together, 
that is to say, the quest of the Sancgreal. 
The earthly knights were they, the which 
were clothed all in black, and the cover- 
ing betokeneth the sins whereof they 
be not confessed. And they with the 
covering of white betokeneth virginity, 
and they that chosen chastity. And 
thus was the quest begun in them. 
Then thou beheld the sinners and the 
good men, and when thou sawest the 
sinners overcome, thou inclinedst to 
that party, for boasting and pride of the 
world, and all that must be left in that 
quest. For in this quest thou shalt 
have many fellows and thy betters, for 
thou art so feeble of evil trust and good 
belief, this made it when thou were 
there where they took thee, and led thee 
into the forest. And anon there ap- 
peared the Sancgreal unto the white 
knights, but thou was so feeble of 
good belief and faith, that thou might 
not abide it, for all the teaching of the 
good man, but anon thou turnedst unto 
the sinners ; and that caused thy misad- 



venture, that thou shouldest know good 
from evil and vain glory of the world, 
the which is not worth a pear. And 
for great pride thou madest great sor- 
row that thou hadst not overcome all 
the white knights with the covering of 
white, by whom was betokened vir- 
ginity and chastity, and therefore God 
was wroth with you, for God loveth no 
such deeds in this quest ; and this vision 
signifieth that thou were of evil faith 
and of poor belief, the which will make 
thee to fall into the deep pit of hell, if 
thou keep thee not. Now have I warned 
thee of thy vain glory and of thy pride, 
that thou hast many times erred against 
thy Maker. Beware of everlasting pain, 
for of all earthly knights I have most 
pity of thee, for I know well thou hast 
not thy peer of any earthly sinful man. 
And so she commanded Sir Launcelot 
to dinner ; and after dinner he took his 
horse and commended her to God, and 
so rode into a deep valley, and there 
he saw a river and an high mountain. 
And through the water he must needs 
pass, the which was hideous; and then 
in the name of God he took it with good 
heart. And when he came over he saw 
an armed knight, horse and man black 
as any bear : without any word he smote 
Sir Launcelot's horse to the earth, and 
so he passed on : he wist not where he 
was become. And then he took his 
helm and his shield, and thanked God 
of his adventure. 



^ttt Uuetjb of tj^c gtorg of ^gr launcelot. ^nU ^pcfee toe of 
$ir ©atoagne, tj^c fej&icj^e i^ tf)c xhi. Iboofe. 

®Sc Sixteenth 23ooL 



CHAP. I. 

Hotv Sir Gawaine was nigh weary of the 
quest of the Sangreal, and of bis mar- 
vellous dream. 

When Sir Gawaine was departed 
from his fellowship, he rode long with- 
out any adventure. For he found not 



I the tenth part of adventure as he was 

I wont to do. For Sir Gawaine rode 

I from Whitsunday unto Michaelmas, and 

I found none adventure that pleased him. 

I So on a day it befell Gawaine met with 

j Sir Ector de Maris, and either made 

j great joy of other, that it were marvel 
to tell. And so they told every each 



378 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



other, and complained them greatly 
that they could tind none adventure. 

Truly, said Sir Gawaine unto Sir 
Ector, I am nigh weary of this quest, 
and loth I am to follow further in 
strange countries. One thing mar- 
velleth me, said Sir Ector, I have met 
with twenty knights, fellows of mine, 
and all they complain as I do. I mar- 
vel, said Sir Gawaine, where that Sir 
Launcelot your brother is. Truly, said 
Sir Ector, I cannot hear of him, nor of 
Sir Galahad, Percivale, nor Sir Bors. 
Let them be, said Sir Gawaine, for they 
four have no peers. And if one thing 
were not in Sir Launcelot, he had no 
fellow of none earthly man ; but he is 
as we be, but if he took more pain 
upon him. But and these four be met 
together, they will be loth that any man 
meet with them ; for, and they fail of 
the Sancgreal, it is in waste of all the 
remnant to recover it. Thus as Ector 
and Gawaine rode more than eight 
days. And on a Saturday they found 
an old chapel, the which was wasted 
that there seemed no man thither re- 
paired, and there they alight, and set 
their spears at the door, and in they 
entered into the chapel, and there made 
their orisons a great while, and then set 
them down in the sieges of the chapel. 
And as they spake of one thing and 
other, for heaviness they fell on sleep, 
and there befell them both marvellous 
adventures. Sir Gawaine him seemed 
he came into a meadow full of herbs 
and flowers. And there he saw a rack 
of bulls an hundred and fifty, that were 
proud and black, save three of them 
were all white, and one had a black 
spot, and the other two were so fair 
and so white that they might be no 
whiter. And these three bulls which 
were so fair were tied with two strong 
cords. And the remnant of the bulls 
said among tliem. Go we hence to seek 
better pasture. And so some went, and 
some came again ; but they were so lean 
that they might not stand upright ; and 
of the bulls that were so white, that one 
came again, and no more. But when this 
white bull was come again among these | 



other, there arose up a great cry for lack 
of wind that failed them ; and so they 
departed, one here and another there. 
This vision befell Sir Gawaine that 
night. 

CHAP. IL 

Of the vision of Sir Ector, and how he 
justed with Sir Uwaine les Avoulres, bis 
sworn brother. 

But to Sir Ector de Maris befell 
another vision, the contrary. For it 
seemed him that his brother Sir Laun- 
celot and he alight out of a chair and 
lept upon two horses, and the one said 
to the other. Go we seek that we shall 
not find. And him thought that a man 
beat Sir Launcelot and despoiled him, 
and clothed him in another array, the 
which was all full of knots, and set 
him upon an ass. And so he rode till 
he came to the fairest well that ever he 
saw, and Sir Launcelot alight, and would 
have drunk of that well. And when he 
stooped to drink of the water, the water 
sank from him. And when Sir Launce- 
lot saw that, he turned and went thither 
as the head came from. And in the 
meanwhile he trowed that himself and 
Sir Ector rode till that they came to 
a rich man's house, where there was 
a wedding. And there he saw a king, 
the which said. Sir knight, here is no 
place for you : and then he turned 
again unto the chair that he came from. 
Thus within a while both Gawaine 
and Ector awaked, and either told other 
of their vision, the which marvelled 
them greatly. Truly, said Ector, I shall 
never be merry till I hear tidings of my 
brother Launcelot. 

Now as they sat thus talking, they 
saw an hand shewing unto the elbow, 
and was covered with red samite, and 
upon that hung a bridle not rich, and 
held within the fist a great candle which 
burnt right clear, and so passed afore 
them, and entered into the chapel, and 
then vanished away, and they wist 
not where. And anon came down 
a voice which said, Knights full of 
evil faith and poor belief, these two 
things have failed you, and therefore ye 



CHAP. HI. THE VISIONS OF SIR GAWAINE AND SIR ECTOR. 



379 



may not come to the adventures of the 
Sancgreal. Then first spake Gawaine 
and said, Ector, have ye heard these 
words ? ■ Yea truly, said Sir Ector, I 
heard all. Now go we, said Sir Ector, 
unto some hermit that will tell us of 
our vision, for it seemeth me we labour 
all in vain. And so they departed and 
rode into a valley, and there met with a 
squire which rode on an hackney, and 
they saluted him fair. Sir, said Gawaine, 
can thou teach us to any hermit ? 
Here is one in a little mountain, said 
the squire, but it is so rouph that there 
may no horse go thither ; and therefore 
ye must go on foot : there shall ye find 
a poor house, and there is Nacien the 
hermit, which is the holiest man in this 
country. And so they departed either 
from other. And then in a valley they 
met with a knight all armed, which 
proffered them to just as far as he saw 
them. Truly, said Sir Gawaine, sith I 
departed from Camelot there was none 
proffered me to just but once. And 
now, sir, said Ector, let me just with 
him. Nay, said Gawaine, ye shall 
not, but if I be beaten, it shall not for- 
think me then if ye go after me. And 
then either enbraced other to just, and 
came together as fast as their horses 
might run, and brast their shields and 
the mails, and the one more than the 
other: and Gawaine was wounded in 
the left side, but the other knight was 
smitten through the breast, and the 
spear came out on the other side, and 
so they fell both out of their saddles, 
and in the falling they brake both their 
spears. Anon Gawaine arose, and set 
his hand to his sword, and cast his 
shield afore him. Eut all for nought 
was it, for the knight had no power 
to arise against him. Then said Ga- 
waine, Ye must yielil you as an over- 
come man, or else I may slay you. 
Ah, sir knight, said he, I am but dead ; 
for God's sake, and of your gentleness, 
lead me here unto an abbey, that I may 
receive my Creator. Sir, said Gawaine, 
I know no house of religion hereby. 
Sir, said the knight, set me on an 
horse tofore you, and I shall teach you. 



Gawaine set him up in the saddle, and 
he lept up behind him for to sustain 
him, and so came to an abbey, where 
they were well received ; and anon he 
was unarmed, and received his Creator. 
Then he prayed Gawaine to draw the 
tiuncheon of the spear out of his body. 
Then Gawaine asked him what he was, 
that knew him not ? I am, said he, 
of king Arthur's court, and was a fellow 
of the Round Table, and we were bre- 
thren sworn together, and now, Sir Ga- 
waine, thou hast slain me, and my name 
is Uwaine les Avoutres, that sometime 
was son unto king Uriens, and was in 
the quest of the Sancgreal ; and now 
forgive it thee God, for it shall ever be 
said that the one sworn brother hath 
slain the other. 

CHAP. in. 

Hoiv Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector came io 
an hermitage to be confessed, and bow 
they told to the hermit their visions. 

Alas, said Sir Gawaine, that ever this 
misadventure is befallen me. No force, 
said Uwaine, sith 1 shall die this death, 
of a much more w^orshipfuller man's 
hands might I not die; but when ye 
come to the court, recommand me unto 
my lord king Arthur, and all those that 
be left onlive, and for old brotherhood 
think on me. Then began Gawaine to 
weep, and Ector also. And then Uwaine 
himself, and Sir Gawaine, drew out the 
truncheon of the spear ; and anon de- 
parted the soul from the body. Then 
Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector buried him, 
as men ought to bury a king's son, and 
made written upon his name, and by 
whom he was slain. 

Then departed Gawaine and Ector, as 
hea\y as they might for their misad- 
venture ; and so rode till that they came 
unto the rough mountain, and there 
they tied their horses, and went on foot 
to the hennitage. And when they were 
come up, they saw a poor house, and 
beside the chapel a little courtlage, 
where Nacien the hermit gathered worts, 
as he which had tasted none other meat 
of a great while. And when he saw 



\/. 



^8o 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVI, 



the errant knights, he came toward them 
and saluted them, and they him again. 
Fair lords, said he, what adventure 
brought you hither ? Sir, said Gawaine, 
to speak with you, for to be confessed. 
Sir, said the hermit, I am ready. Then 
they told him so much that he wist 
well what they were, and then he 
thought to counsel them if he might. 
Then began Gawaine first, and told 
him of his vision that he had had in the 
chapel : and Ector told him all as it is 
afore rehearsed. Sir, said the hermit 
unto Sir Gawaine, the fair meadow and 
the rack therein ought to be understood 
the Round Table, and by the meadow 
ought to be understood humility and 
patience, those be the things which be 
always green and quick ; for men may 
no time overcome humility and pa- 
tience, therefore was the Round Table 
founded, and the chivalry hath been at 
all times, so by the fraternity which 
was there that she might not be 
overcome. For men said she was 
founded in patience and in humility. 
At the rack ate an hundred and fifty 
bulls, but they ate not in the meadow, 
for their hearts should be set in hu- 
mility and patience, and the bulls were 
proud and black, save only three. By 
the bulls is to understand the fellow- 
ship of the Round Table, which for 
their sin and their wickedness be black. 
Blackness is to say without good or 
virtuous works. And the three bulls 
which were white, save only one which 
was spotted; — the two white betoken 
Sir Galahad and Sir Percivale, for they 
be maidens clean and without spot; 
and the third that had a spot signifieth 
Sir Bors de Ganis, which trespassed 
but once in his virginity, but since he 
kept himself so well in chastity that all 
is forgiven him, and his misdeeds. And 
why those three were tied by the necks, 
they be three knights in virginity and 
chastity, and there is no pride smitten 
in them. And the black bulls which 
said. Go we hence, they were those 
which at Pentecost, at the high feast, 
took upon them to go in the quest of 
the Sancgreal without confession: they 



might not enter in the meadow of 
humility and patience. And therefore 
they returned into waste countries, that 
signifieth death, for there shall die 
many of them : every each of them 
shall slay other for sin, and they that 
shall escape shall be so lean that 
it shall be marvel to see them. And 
of the three bulls without spot, the 
one shall come again, and the other 
two never. 

CHAP. IV. 

How the hermit expounaed their 
viiion. 

Then spake Nacien unto Ector. Sooth 
it is that Launcelot and ye came down 
of one chair : the chair betokeneth 
mastership and lordship, which ye came 
down from. But ye two knights, said 
the hermit, ye go to seek that ye shall 
never find, that is the Sancgreal. For 
it is the secret thing of our Lord Jesu 
Christ. "What is to mean, that Sir 
Launcelot fell down off his horse : — he 
hath left pride, and taken him to 
humility, for he hath cried mercy loud 
for his sin, and sore repented him, and 
our Lord hath clothed him in His 
clothing, which is full of knots, that is 
the hair which he weareth daily. And 
the ass that he rode upon is a beast 
of humility. P^or God would not ride 
upon no steed, nor upon no palfrey. 
So in ensample that an ass betokeneth 
meekness, that thou sawest Sir Launce- 
lot ride on in thy sleep : and the well 
where as the water sank from him 
when he should have taken thereof, 
and when he saw he might not have 
it, he returned thither from whence he 
came, for the well betokeneth the high 
grace of God, the more men desire it 
to take it, the more shall be their 
desire. So when he came nigh the 
Sancgreal, he meeked him that he held 
him not a man worthy to be so nigh 
the holy vessel, for he had been so 
defouled in deadly sin by the space of 
many years, yet when he kneeled to 
drink of the well, there he saw great 
providence of the Sancgreal. And for 



J 



THE HERMIT'S COUNSEL TO SIR GAWAINE. 



i8i 



he had served so long the devil, he 
shall have vengeance four and twenty 
days long, for that he hath been the 
devil's servant four and twenty years. 
And then soon after he shall return 
unto Camelo*^ out of this country, and 
he shall say a part of such things as he 
hath found. 

Now will I tell you what betokeneth 
the hand with the candle and the bridle ; 
that is to understand the Holy Ghost, 
where charity is ever, and the bridle 
signifieth abstinence. P'or when she is 
bridled in christian man's heart, she 
holdeth him so short that he falleth not 
in deadly sin. And the candle which 
sheweth clearness and sight, signifieth 
the right way of Jesu Christ. And 
when he went, and said. Knights of 
poor faith and of wicked belief, — these 
three things failed, charity, abstinence, 
and truth, therefore ye may not attain 
that high adventure of the Sancgreal. 

CHAP. V. 

Of the good counsel that ihe hermit 
gave to him. 

Certes, said Gawaine, soothly have 
ye said, that I see it openly. Now I 
pray you, good man and holy father, 
tell me why we met not with so many 
adventures as we were wont to do, and 
commonly have the better. I shall tell 
you gladly, said the good man : The 
adventure of the Sancgreal, which ye and 
many other have undertaken the quest 
of it, and find it not, the cause is, for 
it appeareth not to sinners. Wherefore 
marvel not though ye fail thereof, and 
many other. For ye be an untrue 
knight, and a great murderer, and to 
good men signifieth otlier things than 
murder. For I dare say, as sinful as 
Sir Launcelot hath been, sith that he 
went into the quest of the Sancgreal 
he slew never man, nor nought sliall 
till that he come unto Camelot again. 
For he hath taken upon him for to for- 
sake sin. And were not that he is not 
stable, but by his thought he is likely to 
turn again, he should be next to achieve 
it, save Galahad his son. But God 



knoweth his thought, and his unstable- 
ness, and yet shall he die right an holy 
man; and no doubt he hath no fellow 
of no earthly sinful man. Sir, said Ga- 
waine, it seemeth me by your words, 
that for our sins it will not avail us to 
travail in this quest. Truly, said the 
good man, there be an hundred such as 
ye be, that never shall prevail but to 
have shame. And when they had heard 
these voices, they commanded him unto 
God. 

Then the good man called Gawaine, 
and said, It is long time passed sith that 
ye were made knight, and never since 
thou servedst thy Maker, and now 
thou art so old a tree, that in thee 
there is neither life nor fruit ; where- 
fore bethink thee that thou yield unto 
our Lord the bare rind, sith the fiend 
hath the leaves and the fruit. Sir, said 
Gawaine, and I had leisure I would 
speak with you, but my fellow here, 
Sir Ector, is gone, and abideth me 
yonder beneath the hill. Well, said 
the good man, thou were better to be 
counselled. Then departed Gawaine, 
and came to Ector, and so took their 
horses, and rode till they came to a 
foster's house which harboured them 
right well. And on the morn they 
departed from their host, and rode long 
or they could find any adventure. 

CHAP. VL 

How Sir Bors met with an hertnit, and 
bow he was confessed to him, and of 
his penance enjoined to him. 

When Bors was departed from 
Camelot, he met with a religious man 
riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted 
him. Anon the good man knew him 
that he was one of the knights errant 
that was in the quest of the Sancgreal. 
W' hat are ye ? said the good man. Sir, 
said he, I am a knight that fain would 
be counselled in the quest of the Sanc- 
greal : for he shall have much earthly 
worship that may bring it to an end. 
Certes, said the good man, that is 
sooth, for he shall be the best knight 
of the world, and the fairest of all the 



382 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



fellowship. But wit you well, there shall 
none attain it but by cleanness, that is, 
pure confession. So rode they together 
till that they came to an hermitage. 
And there he prayed Bors to dwell all 
that night with him : and so he ahght, 
and put away his armour, and prayed 
him that he might be confessed; and 
so they went into the chapel, and 
there he was clean confessed : and 
they eat bread, and drank water, toge- 
ther. Now, said the good man, I pray 
thee that thou eat none other, till that 
thou sit at the table where the Sancgreal 
shall be. Sir, said he, I agree me 
thereto ; but how wit ye that 1 shall sit 
there? Yes, said the good man, that 
know I, but there shall be but few of 
your fellows with you. All is welcome, 
said Sir Bors, that God sendeth me. 
Also, said the good man, instead of a 
shirt, and in sign of chastisement, ye 
shall wear a garment; thereof I pray 
you do off all your clothes and your 
shirt, and so he did. And then he took 
him a scarlet coat, so that should be in- 
stead of his shirt, till he had fulfilled 
the quest of the Sancgreal. And the 
good man found him in so marvellous 
a life, and so stable, that he marvelled, 
and felt that he was never corrupt in 
fleshly lusts, but in one time that he 
begat Elian le Blank. Then he armed 
him, and took his leave, and so departed. 
And so a little from thence he looked 
up into a tree, and there he saw a 
passing great bird upon an old tree, 
and it was passing dry, without leaves, 
and the bird sat above, and had birds, 
the which were dead for hunger. So 
smote he himself with his beak, the 
which was great and sharp. And so 
the great bird bled till that he died 
among his birds. And the young birds 
took the life by the blood of the great 
bird. When Bors saw this, he wist 
well it was great tokening. For when 
he saw the great bird arose not, then 
he took his horse and went his way. 
So by evensong, by adventure he cam.e 
to a strong tower, and an high, and 
there was he lodged gladly. 



CHAP. VIL 
How Sir Bors was lodged with a lady, 
and how he took on him for to fight 
against a champion for her land. 

And when he was unai-med, they led 
him into an high tower, where was a 
lady, young, lusty, and fair. And she 
received him with great joy, and made 
him to sit down by her, and so was he 
set to sup with flesh and many dainties. 
And when Sir Bors saw that, he be- 
thought him on his penance, and bad a 
squire to bring him water. And so he 
brought him, and he made sops therein, 
and ate them. Ah, said the lady, I trow 
ye like not my meat. Yes, truly, said 
Sir Bors, God thank you madam, but 
I may eat none other meat this day. 
Then she spake no more as at that 
time, for she was loth to displease 
him. 

Then after supper they spake of one 
thing and other. With that there came 
a squire, and said, Madam, ye must 
purvey you to-morn for a champion, 
for else your sister will have this 
castle, and also your lands, except ye 
can find a knight that will fight to- 
mom in your quarrel against Pridam le 
Noire. Then she made sorrow, and 
said. Ah Lord God, wherefore granted 
ye to hold my land, whereof I should 
now be disherited without reason and 
right. And when Sir Bors had heard 
her say thus, he said, I shall comfort 
you. Sir, said she, I shall tell you, 
there was here a king that hight Ani- 
ause, which held all this land in his 
keeping. So it mishapped he loved a 
gentlewoman, a great deal elder than I. 
So took he her all this land to her 
keeping, and all his men to govern, and 
she brought up many evil customs, 
whereby she put to death a great part 
of his kinsmen. And when he saw 
that, he let chase her out of this land, 
and betook it me, and all this land in 
my charge: but anon, as that worthy 
king was dead, this other lady began to 
war upon me, and hath destroyed many 
of my men, and turned them against me, 
that I have well nigh no man left me, 



OF A VISION OF SIR BORS. 



383 



and I have nought else but this high 
tower that she left me. And yet she 
hath promised me to have this tower, 
without I can find a knight to fight 
with her champion. Now tell me, said 
Sir Bors, what is that Pridam le Noire ? 
Sir, said she, he is the most doubted 
man of this land. — Now may ye send 
her word that ye have found a knight 
that shall fight with that Pridam le 
Noire in God's quarrel and yours. Then 
that lady was not a little glad, and sent 
word that she was provided. And that 
night Sir Bors had good cheer, but in 
no l^ed he would come, but laid him on 
the floor, nor never would do otherwise 
till that he had met with the quest of 
Sancgreal. 

CHAP. VIII. 
Of a vision which Sir Bors had that night, 
and how he fought and overcame his 
adversary. 

And anon as he was asleep, him 
befell a vision, that there came to him 
two birds, the one as white as a swan, 
and the other was marvellous black, but 
it was not so great as the other, but in 
the likeness of a raven. Then the white 
bird came to him, and said. And thou 
wouldst give me meat and serve me, I 
should give thee all the riches of the 
world, and I shall make thee as fair and 
as white as I am. So the white bird 
departed, and there came the black bird 
to him, and said. And thou wilt serve 
me to-morrow, and have me in no 
despite, though I be black, for wit thou 
well that more availeth my blackness, 
than the other's whiteness. And then 
he departed. And he had another 
vision : him thought that he came to 
a great place, which seemed a chapel, 
and there he found a chair set on the 
left side, which was worm-eaten and 
feeble. And on the right hand were 
two flowers like a lily, and the one 
would have taken the other's whiteness, 
but a good man parted them, that the 
one touched not the other, and then out 
of every flower came out many flowers, 
and fruit great plenty. Then him thought 
the good man said. Should not he do 



great folly, that would let these two 
flowers perish for to succour the rotten 
tree, that it fell not to the earth ? Sir, 
said he, it seemeth me that this wood 
might not avail. Now keep thee, said 
the good man, that thou never see such 
adventure befall thee. Then he awaked 
and made a sign of the cross in the 
midst of the forehead, and so rose and 
clothed him, and there came the lady of 
the place, and she saluted him, and he 
her again, and so went to a chapel, and 
heard their service. And there came a 
company of knights that the lady had 
sent for, to lead Sir Bors unto battle. 
Then asked he his arms. And when he 
was armed, she prayed him to take a little 
morsel to dine. Nay, madam, said he, 
that shall I not do, till I have done my 
battle, by the grace of God. And so he 
lept upon his horse, and departed all 
the knights and men with him. And as 
soon as these two ladies met together, 
she which Bors should fight for, com- 
plained her, and said, Madam, ye have 
done me wrong to bereave me of my 
lands that king Aniause gave me, and 
full loth I am there should be any 
battle. Ye shall not choose, said the 
other lady, or else your knight with- 
draw him. Then there was the cry 
made, which party had the better 
of those two knights, that this lady 
should enjoy all the land. Now de- 
parted the one knight here, and the 
other there. Then they came together 
with such force that they pierced their 
shields and their hauberks, and the 
spears flew in pieces, and they wounded 
either other sore. Then hurtled they 
togetlier so that they fell both to the 
earth, and their horses betwixt their 
legs. And anon they arose, and set 
hands to their swords, and smote each 
one other upon the heads, that they 
made great wounds and deep, that the 
blood went out of their bodies. For 
there found Sir Bors greater defence 
in that knight more than he wend. 
For that Pridam was a passing good 
knight, and he wounded Sir Bors full 
evil, and he him again. But ever this 
Sir Pridam held the stour in like hard. 



^ 



384 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



That perceived Sir Bors, and suffered 
him till he was nigh attaint, and then 
he ran upon him more and more, and 
the other went back for dread of death. 
So in his withdrawing he fell upright, 
and Sir Bors drew his helm so strongly 
that he rent it from his head, and gave 
him great strokes with the flat of his 
sword upon the visage, and bade him 
yield him, or he should slay him. Then 
he cried him mercy, and said, Fair 
knight, for God's love slay me not, and 
I shall ensure thee never to war against 
thy lady, but be alway toward her. 
Then Bors let him be. Then the old 
lady fled with all her knights. 

CHAP. IX. 

Hoiv the lady was restored to her lands 
by the battle of Sir Bors, and of his 
departing, atid how he met Sir Lionel 
taken and beaten with thorns, and also 
of a maid which should have been dis- 
honoured. 

So then came Bors to all those 
that held lands of his lady, and said 
he should destroy them but if they 
did such service unto her as belonged 
to their lands. So they did their 
homage, and they that would not were 
chased out of their lands. Then befell 
that young lady to come to her estate 
again, by the mighty prowess of Sir 
Bors de Ganis. So when all the country 
was well set in peace, then Sir Bors 
took his leave and departed, and she 
thanked him greatly, and would have 
given him great riches, but he refused 
it. Then he rode all that day till night, 
and came to an harbour, to a lady 
which knew him well enough, and made 
of him great joy. Upon the morn, as 
soon as the day appeared, Bors departed 
from thence, and so rode into a forest 
unto the hour of mid-day, and there 
befell him a marvellous adventure. So 
he met at the departing of the two ways 
two knights, that led Lionel his brother 
all naked, bounden upon a strong hack- 
ney, and his hands bounden tofore his 
breast : and every each of them held in 
his hand thorns, wherewith they went 



beating him so sore that the blood 
trailed down more than in an him- 
dred places of his body, so that he was 
all blood tofore and behind, but he said 
never a word, as he which was great of 
heart ; he suffered all that ever they did 
to him as though he had felt none an- 
guish. Anon Sir Bors dressed him to 
rescue him that was his brother : and so 
he looked upon the other side of him, 
and saw a knight which brought a fair 
gentlewoman, and would have set her 
in the thickest place of the forest, for to 
have been the more surer out of the 
way from them that sought him. And 
she, which was nothing assured, cried 
with an high voice, Saint Mary, succour 
your maid ! 

And anon she espied where Sir Bors 
came riding. And when she came nigh 
him, she deemed him a knight of the 
Round Table, whereof she hoped to 
have some comfort ; and then she con- 
jured him, by the faith that he owed 
unto Him in whose service thou art 
entered in, and for the faith ye owe 
unto the high order of knighthood, and 
for the noble king Arthur's sake, that 
I suppose that made thee knight, that 
thou help me, and suffer me not to be 
shamed of this knight ! 

"When Bors heard her say thus, he 
had so much sorrow there he nist not 
what to do. For if I let my brother be 
in adventure he must be slain, and that 
would I not for all the earth. And if I 
help not the maid, she is shamed for 
ever, and also she shall lose her honour, 
the which she shall never get again. 
Then lift he up his eyes, and said weep- 
ing. Fair sweet Lord Jesu Christ, whose 
liege man I am, keep Lionel my brother, 
that these knights slay him not; and 
for pity of you, and for Mary's sake, 
I shall succour this maid. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Bors left to rescue bis brother, 
and rescued the damsel; and how it 
was told him that Lionel was dead. 

Then dressed he him unto the knight 
the which had the gentlewoman, and 



SIR BORS TELLS HIS DREAM. 



385 



then he cried, Sir knight, let your hand 
off that maiden, or ye be but dead. 
And then he set down the maiden and 
was armed at all pieces, save he lacked 
his spear. Then he dressed his shield, 
and drew out his sword, and Bors smote 
him so hard that it went through his 
shield and haberjon on the left shoulder ; 
and through great strength he beat him 
down to the earth ; and at the pulling 
out of Bors' spear there he swooned. 

Then came Bors to the maid, and 
said, How seemeth it you ? Of this 
knight ye be delivered at this time. 
Now Sir, said she, I pray you lead 
me there as this knight had me. — 
So shall I do gladly : and took the 
horse of the wounded knight, and set 
the gentlewoman upon him, and so 
brought her as she desired. Sir knight, 
said she, ye have better sped than ye 
weened, for if ye had not saved me five 
hundred men should have died for it. 
— What knight was he that had you 
in the forest ? — By my faith, said 
she, he is my cousin. So wot I never 
with what craft the fiend enchafed 
him, for yesterday he took me from my 
father privily; for I nor none of my 
father's men mistrusted him not. And 
if he had shamed me, he should have 
died for the sin, and his body shamed 
and dishonoured for ever. Thus as she 
stood talking with, him, there came 
twelve knights seeking after her, and 
anon she told them all how Bors had 
delivered her ; then they made great 
joy, and besought him to come to her 
father, a great lord, and he should be 
right welcome. Truly, said Bors, that 
may not be at this time, for I have a 
great adventure to do in this country. 
So he commended them unto God, and 
departed. Then Sir Bors rode after 
Lionel his brother by the trace of their 
horses. Thus he rode seeking a great 
while. Then he overtook a man clothed 
in a religious clothing, and rode on a 
strong black horse, blacker than a bery, 
and said. Sir knight, what seek you ? Sir, 
said he, I seek my brother, that I saw 
within a while beaten with two knights. 
Ah Bors, discomfort you not, nor fall 



into no vain hope, for I shall tell you 
tidings such as they be ; for truly he is 
dead. Then shewed he him a new slain 
body, lying in a bush, and it seemed him 
well that it was the body of Lionel. 
And then he made such a sorrow that 
he fell to the earth all in a swoon, and 
lay a great while there. And when he 
came to himself he said. Fair brother, 
sith the company of you and me is 
parted, shall I never have joy in my 
heart ; and now He which I have taken 
unto my Master, He be my help. And 
when he had said thus, he took his body 
lightly in his arms, and put it upon the 
bow of his saddle. And then he said to 
the man. Canst thou tell me unto some 
chapel, where that I may bury this 
body ? Come on, said he, here is one 
fast by. And so long they rode till 
they saw a fair tower, and afore it there 
seemed an old feeble chapel. And then 
they alight both, and put him into a 
tomb of marble. 

CHAP. XL 

Houj Sir Bcrs told bis dream to a priest 
which he had drea?ned, and of the cou?i- 
sel that the priest gave to him. 

Now leave we him here, said the 
good man, and go we to harbour till 
to-morrow, we will come here again to 
do him service. Sir, said Bors, be ye a 
priest ? Yea, forsooth, said he.— Then 
I pray you tell me a dream that befell to 
me the last night. — Say on, said he. 
Then he began so much to tell him of 
the great bird in the forest : and after 
told him of his birds, one white, another 
black; and of the rotten tree, and of 
the white flowers. Sir, said the priest, 
I shall tell you a part now, and the 
other deal to-morrow. The white fowl 
betokeneth a gentlewoman, fair and 
rich, which loveth thee, and hath loved 
thee long ; and if thou refuse her love, 
she shall go die anon, if thou have no 
pity on her. That signifieth the great 
bird, the which shall make thee for to 
refuse her. Now, for no fear nor for 
no dread that thou hast of God, thou 
shalt not refuse her, but thou wouldest 



25 



sL 



386 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVI. 



not do it for to be liolden chaste, for to 
conquer the praise of the vain-glory of 
the world ; for that shall befall thee 
now, and thou refuse her, that Launcelot, 
the good knight thy consin, shall die. 
And therefore men shall now say that 
thou art a manslayer, both of thy 
brother Sir Lionel, and of thy cousin 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, the which thou 
mightest have saved and rescued full 
easily. But thou weenedst to rescue a 
maid, which pertained nothing to thee. 
Now look thou whether it had been 
greater harm of thy brother's death, or 
else to have suffered her for to have lost 
her honour. Then asked he him. Hast 
thou heard the tokens of thy dream, the 
which I have told to you? Yea for- 
sooth, said Sir Bors, all your exposition 
and declaring of my dream I have well 
understood and heard. Then said the 
man in this black clothing, Then is it in 
thy default if Sir Launcelot thy cousin 
die. Sir, said Bors, that were me loth ; 
for wit ye well there is nothing in the 
world but I had lever do it than to see 
my lord Sir Launcelot du Lake to die in 
my default. Choose ye now the one or 
the other, said the good man. And then 
he led Sir Bors into an high tower, and 
there he found knights and ladies. 
Those ladies said he was welcome, and 
so they unarmed him. And when he 
was in his doublet, men brought him a 
mantle furred with ermine, and put it 
about him, and then they made him such 
cheer that he had forgotten all his sor- 
row and anguish, and only set his heart 
in these delights and dainties, and took 
no more thought for his brother Sir 
Lionel, neither of Sir Launcelot du Lake 
his cousin. And anon came out of a 
chamber to him the fairest lady that 
ever he saw, and more richer beseen 
than ever he saw queen Guenever, or 
any other estate. Lo ! said they. Sir 
Bors, here is the lady unto whom we 
all owe our service, and I trow she be 
the richest lady, and the fairest of all 
the world, and the which loveth you 
best above all other knights, for she 
will have no knight but you. And 
when he understood that language, he 



was abashed. Not for then she saluted 
him, and he her; and then they sat 
down together, and spake of many 
things, insomuch that she besought him 
to be her love, for she had loved him 
above all earthly men, and she should 
make him richer than ever was man of 
his age. When Sir Bors understood 
her words he was right evil at ease, 
which in no manner would not break 
chastity, so wist not he how to answer 
her. 

CHAP. XIL 

How the devil in a woman's likeness would 
have tempted Sir Bors, and how by God's 
grace he escaped. 

Alas ! said she, Bors, shall ye not do 
my will ? Madam, said Sir Bors, there 
is no lady in this world whose will I 
will fulfil as of this thing, for my brother 
lieth dead which was slain right late. 
Ah, Bors, said she, I have loved you 
long for the great beauty I have seen in 
you, and great hardiness I have heard 
of you, that needs ye must give me your 
love, and, therefore, I pray you grant it 
me. Truly, said he, I shall not do it in 
no manner of wise. Then she made 
him such sorrow as though she would 
have died. Well, Bors, said she, unto 
this have ye brought me nigh to mine 
end. Ancl therewith she took him by 
the hand, and bade him behold her, — 
And ye shall see how 1 shall die for 
your love. Ah, said then he, that shall 
I never see. Then she departed, and 
went up into a high battlement, and led 
with her twelve gentlewomen : and 
when they were above, one of the gentle- 
women cried and said. Ah, Sir Bors, 
gentle knight, have mercy on us all, and 
suffer my lady to have her will : and if 
ye do not, we must suffer death with our 
lady, for to fall down off this high tower. 
And if ye suffer us thus to die for so 
little a thing, all ladies and gentlewomen 
will say of you dishonour. Then looked 
he upward : they seemed all ladies of 
great estate and richly and well beseen. 
Then had he of them great pity : not for 
that he was un-counselled within himself. 



SIR BORS FINDS AN HOLY ABBOT. 



387 



that lever he had they all had lost their 
souls than he is: and with that they 
fell adown all at once unto the earth. 
And when he saw that, he was all 
abashed, and had thereof great mar- 
vel. With that he blessed his body and 
his visage ; and anon he heard a great 
noise and a great cry, as though all the 
fiends of hell had been about him, and 
therewith he saw neither tower, ne 
lady, ne gentlewoman, nor no chapel 
where he brought his brother to. Then 
held he up both his hands to the hea- 
ven, and said. Fair Father God, I am 
grievously escaped. And then he took his 
arms and his horse, and rode on his 
way. Then he heard a clock smite on 
his right hand, and thither he came to 
an abbey on his right hand, closed with 
high walls, and there was let in. Then 
they supposed that he was one of the 
quest of the Sancgreal. So they led 
him into a chamber, and unarmed him. 
Sirs, said Sir Bors, if there be any holy 
man in this house, I pray you let me 
speak \vith him. Then one of them led 
him unto the abbot, which was in a 
chapel. And then Sir Bors saluted him, 
and he him again. Sir, said Bors, I am 
a knight errant, and told him all the 
adventure w^hich he had seen. Sir 
knight, said the abbot, I wot not what 
ye be, for I wend never that a knight 
of your age might have been so strong 
in the grace of our Lord Jesu Christ. 
Not for then ye shall go unto your rest, 
for I will not counsel you this day, it is 
too late, and to-morrow I shall counsel 
you as I can. 

CHAP. XIII. 

Of the holy ccmmunication of an abbot 
to Sir Bors, and how the abbot coun- 
selled him. 

And that night was Sir Bors served 
richly, and on the morn early he heard 
mass, and the abbot came to him and 
bad him good morrow, and Bors to him 
again. And then he told him he was a 
fellow of the quest of the Sancgreal, and 
how he had charge of the holy man to 
eat bread and water. Then [said the 



abbot] our Lord Jesu Christ shewed 
Him unto you, in the likeness of a soul 
that suffered great anguish for us since 
He was put upon the cross, and bled 
His heart blood i'or mankind : there was 
the token and the likeness of the Sanc- 
greal that appeared afore you, for the 
I blood that the great fowl bled revived 
j the chickens from death to life. And 
j by the bare tree is betokened the world, 
which is naked and without fruit, but if 
it come of our Lord. Also the lady for 
I whom ye fought for, and king Aniause, 
which was lord there tofore, betokeneth 
Jesu Christ, which is the King of the 
world; and that ye fought with the 
champion for the lady, this it betoken- 
eth : for when ye took the battle for the 
lady, by her ye shall understand the new 
law of Jesu Christ and holy Church ; 
and by the other lady ye shall under- 
stand the old law and the fiend, which 
all day warreth against holy Church, 
therefore ye did your battle with right. 
For ye be Jesu Christ's knights, therefore 
ye ought to be defenders of holy Church. 
And by the black bird might ye un- 
derstand the holy Church, which saith 
I am black, but he is fair. And by the 
white bird might men understand the 
fiend. And I shall tell you how the 
I swan is white without forth, and black 
within ; it is hypocrisy which is without 
yellow or pale, and seemeth without 
forth the servants of Jesu Christ, but 
they be within so horrible of filth and 
sin, and beguile the world evil. Also 
when the fiend appeared to thee in like- 
ness of a man of religion, and blamed 
thee that thou left thy brother for a 
lady, so led thee where thou seemed 
thy brother was slain, but he is yet on 
live, and all was for to put thee in 
error, and bring thee unto vain hope 
and lechery, for he knew thou were 
tender hearted, and all was for thou 
shouldest not find the blessed adventure 
of the Sancgreal. And the tliird fowl 
betokeneth the strong battle against the 
fair ladies which were all devils. Also 
the dry tree, and the white lily: — the 
dry tree betokeneth thy brother Sir 
Lionel, which is dry without virtue, and 

25—2 



388 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



therefore many men ought to call him 
the rotten tree, and the worm-eaten 
tree, for he is a murderer and doth 
contrary to the order of knighthood. 
And the two white flowers signify two 
maidens, the one is a knight which was 
wounded the other day, and the other is 
the gentlewoman which ye rescued ; 
and why the other flower drew nigh the 
other, that was the knight which would 
have dishonoured her, and himself both. 
And, Sir Bors, ye had been a great fool, 
and in great peril, to have seen those 
two flowers perish for to succour the 
rotten tree, for and they had sinned to- 
gether they had been damned : and for 
that ye rescued them both, men might 
call you a very knight and sei"vant of 
Jesu Christ. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Bors met with his brother Sir 
Lionel, and how Sir Lionel would have 
slain Sir Bors. 

Then went Sir Bors from thence, and 
commended the abbot unto God. And 
then he rode all that day, and harboured 
with an old lady. And on the morn he 
rode to a castle in a valley, and there he 
met with a yeoman going a great pace 
toward a forest. Say me, said Sir Bors, 
canst thou tell me of any adventure ? 
Sir, said he, here shall be under this 
castle a great and a marvellous tourna- 
ment. Of what folks shall it be ? said 
Sir Bors. The earl of Plains (said he) 
shall be on the one party, and the lady's 
nephew of Hervin on the other party. 
Then Bors thought to be there, if he 
might meet with his brother Sir Lionel, 
or any other of his fellowship which were 
in the quest of the Sancgreal. And then 
he turned to an hermitage that was in 
the entry of the forest. And when he 
was come thither, he found there Sir 
Lionel his brother, which sat all armed 
at the entry of the chapel door, for to 
abide there harbour till on the morn 
that the tournament shall be. And 
when Sir Bors saw him he had great 
joy of him, that was it marvel to tell of 
his joy. And then he alight off his horse 



and said, Fair sweet brother, when came 
ye hither ? Anon as Sir Lionel saw him 
he said. Ah Ijors, ye may not make none 
avaunt, but, as for you, I might have 
been slain ; when ye saw two knights 
leading me away, beating me, ye left me 
to succour a gentlewoman, and suffered 
me in peril of death : for never erst ne 
did no brother to another so great an 
untruth. And for that misdeed now I 
ensure you but death, for well have ye 
deseived it; therefore keep thee from 
henceforward, and that shall ye find as 
soon as I am armed. When Sir Bors 
understood his brother's wrath, he 
kneeled down to the earth, and cried 
him mercy, holding up both his hands, 
and prayed him to forgive him his evil i 
will. Nay, said Lionel, that shall never 
be, and I may have the higher hand, that 
I make mine avow to God : thou shalt 
have death for it, for it were pity ye 
lived any longer. Right so he went in, 
and took his harness, and mounted upon 
his horse, and came tofore him and said, 
Bors, keep thee from me, for I shall do 
to thee as I would to a felon or a 
traitor, for ye be the untruest knight 
that ever came out of so worthy an house 
as was king Bors de Ganis, which was 
our father ; therefore start upon thy 
horse, and so shall ye be most at your 
advantage. And but if ye will, I will run 
upon thee there as ye stand upon foot, 
and so the shame shall be mine and the 
harm yours ; but of that shame reck I 
nought. When Sir Bors saw that he must 
fight with his brother or else to die, he 
nist not what to do. Then his heart 
counselled him not thereto, in as much 
as Lionel was born or he, wherefore he 
ought to bear him reverence; yet kneeled 
he down afore Lionel's horse feet, and 
said. Fair sweet brother, have mercy 
upon me and slay me not, and have in 
remembrance the great love which ought 
to be between us twain. What Sir Bors 
said to Lionel he recked not, for the 
fiend had brought him in such a will 
that he should slay him. Then when 
Lionel saw he would none other, and 
that he would not have risen to give him 
battle, he rushed over him, so that he 



OF SIR LIONEL'S EVIL DOINGS. 



smote Bors with his horse feet upward 
to the earth, and hurt him so sore that 
he swooned of distress, the which he felt 
in himself to have died without con- 
fession. So when Lionel saw this, he 
alight off his horse, to have smitten off 
his head. And so he took him by the 
helm, and would have rent it from his 
head. Then came the hermit run- 
ning unto him, which was a good 
man and of great age, and well had 
he heard all the words that were be- 
tween them, and so fell down upon 
Sir Bors. 

CHAP. XV. 

Hoiv Sir Colgrevance fought against Sir 
Lionel for to save Sir Bors, and how 
the hermit was slain. 

Then he said to Lionel, Ah, gentle 
knight, have mercy upon me and on thy 
brother, for if thou slay him thou shalt 
be dead of sin, and that were sorrowful ; 
for he is one of the worthiest knights of 
the world, and of the best conditions. 
So God me help, said Lionel, Sir priest, 
but if ye flee from him I shall slay you, 
and he shall never the sooner be quit. 
Certes, said the good man, I had lever 
ye slay me than him, for my death 
shall not be great harm, not half so 
much as of his. Well, said Lionel, I am 
agreed; and set his hand to his sword, 
and smote him so hard that his head 
went backward. Not for that he re- 
strained him of his evil will, but took 
his brother by the helm, and unlaced it 
to have stricken off his head, and had 
slain him without fail, but so it happed, 
Colgrevance, a fellow of the Round 
Table, came at that time thither, as our 
Lord's will was. And when he saw the 
good man slain, he marvelled much what 
it might be. And then he beheld Lionel 
would have slain his brother, and knew 
Sir Bors which he loved right well. 
Then start he down and took Lionel by 
the shoulders, and drew him strongly 
aback from Bors, and said, Lionel, will 
ye slay your brother, the worthiest 
knight of the world one? and that 
should no good man suffer. Why, said 



Sir Lionel, will ye let me ? therefore if 
ye intermit you in this, I shall slay you, 
and him after. Why, said Colgrevance, 
is this sooth, that ye will slay him ? Slay 
him will I, said he, who so say the con- 
trary ; for he hath done so much against 
me that he hath well deserved it ; and 
so ran upon him, and would have smitten 
him through the head ; and Sir Colgre- 
vance ran betwixt them and said. And ye 
be so hardy to do so more, we two shall 
meddle together. When Lionel under- 
stood his words, he took his shield afore 
him, and asked him what he was ; and 
he told him Colgrevance, one of his fel- 
lows. Then Lionel defied him, and gave 
him a great stroke through the helm. 
Then he drew his sword, for he was a 
passing good knight, and defended him 
right manfully. So long endured the 
battle that Sir Bors rose up all anguishly, 
and beheld Sir Colgrevance, the good 
knight, fight with his brother for his 
quarrel. Then was he full sorry and 
heavy, and thought, if Colgrevance slew 
him that was his brother he should 
never have joy, and if his brother slew 
Colgrevance the shame should ever be 
his. Then would he have risen to have 
departed them, but he had not so much 
might to stand on foot : so he abode 
him so long till Colgrevance had the 
worse, for Sir Lionel was of great 
chivalry and right hardy, for he had 
pierced the hauberk and the helm, that 
he abode but death. For he had lost 
much of his blood, that it was marvel 
that he might stand upright. Then 
beheld he Sir Bors, which sat dressing 
him upward, and said. Ah Bors, why 
come ye not to cast me out of peril of 
death, wherein I have put me to succour 
you, which were right now nigh the 
death? Certes, said Lionel, that shall 
not avail you, for none of you shall 
bear other's warrant, but that ye shall 
die both of my hand. When Bors 
heard that, he did so much he rose and 
put on his helm. Then perceived he 
first the hermit priest which was slain, 
then made he a marvellous sorrow upon 
him. 



393 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



CHAP. XVI. 

IIoiv Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, 
and how after he would have slain 
Sir Bors. 

Then oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir 
Bors, Why will ye let me die here for 
your sake ? if it please you that I die for 
you the death, it will please me the 
better for to save a worthy man. With 
that word vSir Lionel smote off the helm 
from his head. Then Colgrevance saw 
that he might not escape ; then he said, 
Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone 
have mercy upon my soul ; for such 
sorrow that my heart suffereth for good- 
ness, and for alms deed that I would 
have done here, be to me aligement of 
penance unto my soul's health. At 
these words Lionel smote him so sore 
that he bare him to the earth. So when 
he had slain Colgrevance, he ran upon 
his brother as a tiendly man, and gave 
him such a stroke that he made him 
stoop ; and he, that was full of humility, 
prayed him, for God's love to leave this 
battle : For and it befell, fair brother, 
that I slew you, or ye me, we should be 
dead of that sin. Never God me help 
but if I have on you mercy, and I may 
have the better hand. Then drew Bors 
his sword, all weeping, and said, Fair 
brother, God knoweth mine intent. Ah, 
fair brother, ye have done full evil this 
day to slay such an holy priest, the 
which never trespassed. Also ye have 
slain a gentle knight, and one of our 
fellows. And well wot ye that I am 
not afeard of you greatly, but I dread 
the wrath of God; and this is an un- 
kindly war, therefore God shew miracle 
upon us both. Now God have mercy 
upon me, though I defend my life against 
my brother. With that Bors lift up 
his hand, and would have smitten his 
brother. 

CHAP. XVII. 

How there came a voice which charged Sir 
Bors to touch not him, and of a cloud 
that came between them. 

And then he heard a voice that said, 
Flee, Bors, and touch him not, or else 



thou shalt slay him. Right so alight a 
cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire, 
and a marvellous flame, that both their 
two shields burnt. Then were they sore 
afraid, that they fell both to the earth, 
and lay there a great while in a swoon. 
And when they came to themselves, 
Bors saw tliat his brother had no harm : 
then he held up both his hands, for he 
dread God had taken vengeance upon 
him. With that he heard a voice say, 
Bors, go hence and bear thy brother no 
longer fellowship, but take thy way 
anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale 
abideth thee there. Then he said to his 
brotlier. Fair sweet brother, forgive me, 
for God's love, all that I have trespassed 
unto you. Then he answered, God for- 
give it thee, and I do gladly. So Sir 
Bors departed from him, and rode the 
next way to the sea. And at the last, 
by fortune he came to an abbey which 
was nigh the sea. That night Bors 
rested him there, and in his sleep there 
came a voice to him, and bad him go to 
the sea ; then he start up, and made a 
sign of the cross in the midst of his fore- 
head, and took his harness, and made 
ready his horse, and mounted upon him. 
And at a broken wall he rode out, and 
rode so long till that he came to the 
sea. And on the strand he found a ship 
covered all with white samite. And he 
alight, and betook him to Jesu Christ. 
And as soon as he entered into the 
ship, the ship departed into the sea, and 
went so fast that him seemed the ship 
went flying, but it was soon dark, so 
that he might know no man, and so he 
slept till it was day. Then he awaked, 
and saw in the midst of the ship a 
knight lie, all armed save his helm. 
Then knew he that it was Sir Percivale 
of Wales, and then he made of him 
right great joy. But Sir Percivale was 
abashed of him, and he asked him what 
he was. Ah, fair sir, said Bors, know ye 
me not ? Certes, said he, I marvel how 
ye came hither, but if our Lord brought 
you hither himself : then Sir Bors 
smiled, and did off his helm. Then 
Percivale knew him, and either made 
great joy of other, that it was marvel to 



OF SIR GALAHAD. 



391 



hear. Then Bors told him how he 
came into the ship, and by whose ad- 
monishment. And either told other of 
their temptations, as ye have heard to- 
forehand. So went they downward in 



the sea, one while backward another 
while forward, and every each comforted 
other, and oft were in their prayers. 
Then said Sir Percivale, We lack no- 
thing but Galahad the good knight. 



^nt) tj^ug cnDct]^ tj^e i^i^x\tz\\X\) boofe toi)ic|^e H of ^loxt Gatoagnc, lector 
tie marg0, ant) ggrc 33or0 tie gang^ anti $\x percgual. 

^ttD &ere folotoetj^ tj^e ^euententi) boofe toj^icj^e ijs of tjbf noKile fensgj^te 

^fire ©alaj^aU. 



'^TSe §be6enteent6 a3oo!i. 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Galahad fought at a tourna- 
ment, and how he was known of Sir 
Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris. 

Now saith this story, when Galahad 
had rescued Percivale from the twenty 
knights, he rode then into a vast forest, 
wherein he rode many journeys, and he 
found many adventures, the which he 
brought to an end, whereof the story 
maketh here no mention. Then he 
took his way to the sea on a day, and it 
befell as he passed by a castle where 
was a wonder tournament, but they 
without had done so much that they 
within were put to the worse, yet were 
they within good knights enough. When 
Galahad saw that those within were at 
so great a mischief that men slew them 
at the entry of the castle, then he 
thought to help them, and put a spear 
forth, and smote the first that he fell to 
the earth, and the spear brake to pieces. 
Then he drew his sword, and smote 
there as they were thickest, and so he 
did wonderful deeds of arms, that all 
they marvelled. Then it happed that 
Gawaine and Sir Ector de Maris were 
with the knights without; but when they 
espied the white shield with the red 
cross, the one said to the other. Yonder 
is the good knight Sir Galahad the haut 



prince : now he should be a great fool 
which should meet with him to fight. 
So by adventure he came by Sir Ga- 
waine, and he smote him so hard that 
he clave his helm, and the coif of iron 
unto his head, so that Gawaine fell to 
the earth : but the stroke was so great, 
that it slanted down to the earth, and 
carved the horse shoulder in two. When 
Ector saw Gawaine down, he drew him 
aside, and thought it no wisdom for to 
abide him, and also for natural love, 
that he was his uncle. Thus through 
his great hardiness he beat aback all the 
knights without. And then they within 
came out and chased them all about. 
But when Galahad saw there would 
none turn again, he stole away privily, 
so that none wist where he was become. 
Now by my head, said Gawaine to 
Ector, now are the wonders true that 
were said of Launcelot du Lake, that 
the sword which stuck in the stone 
should give me such a buffet that I 
would not have it for the best castle in 
this world, and soothly now it is proved 
true, for never before had I such a 
stroke of man's hand. Sir, said Ector, 
me seemeth your quest is done. And 
yours is not done, said Gawaine, but 
mine is done; I shall seek no further. 
Then Gawaine was borne into a castle, 
and unarmed him, and laid him in a 



392 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



rich bed, and a leech found that he 
might hve, and to be whole within a 
month. Thus Gawaine and Ector abode 
together. For Sir Ector would not 
away till Gawaine were whole. And 
the good knight Galahad rode so long 
till he came that night to the castle of 
Carboneck ; and it befell him thus that 
he was benighted in an hermitage. So 
the good man was fain when he saw he 
was a knight errant. Then when they 
were at rest, there came a gentlewoman 
knocking at the door, and called Gala- 
had, and so the good man came to the 
door to wit what she would. Then she 
called the hermit. Sir Ulfin, I am a 
gentlewoman that would speak with the 
knight that is with you. Then the good 
man awaked Galahad, and bad him 
arise, and speak with a gentlewoman 
that seemeth hath great need of you. 
Then Galahad went to her, and asked 
her what she would. Galahad, said she, 
I will that ye arm you, and mount upon 
your horse, and follow me, for I shall 
shew you within these three days the 
highest adventure that ever any knight 
saw. Anon Galahad armed him, and 
took his horse and commended him to 
God, and bad the gentlewoman go, and 
he would follow there as she liked. 

CHAP, 11. 

How Sir Galahad rode with a damsel, 
and came to the ship whereas Sir Bars 
and Sir Percivale were in. 

So she rode as fast as her palfrey 
might bear her, till that she came to 
the sea the which was called CoUibe, 
And at the night they came unto a castle 
in a valley, was closed with a running 
water, and with strong walls and high. 
And so she entered into the castle with 
Galahad, and there had he great cheer, 
for the lady of that castle was the dam- 
sel's lady. So when he was unarmed, 
then said the damsel. Madam, shall we 
abide here all this day ? Nay, said she, 
but till he hath dined, and till he hath 
slept a little. So he eat and slept a 
while, till that the maid called him, 
and armed him by torchlight. And 



when the maid was horsed, and he both, 
the lady took Galahad a fair child and 
rich, and so they departed from the 
castle, till they came to the sea-side, 
and there they found the ship where 
Bors and Percivale were in, the which 
cried on the ship's board. Sir Galahad, 
ye be welcome, we have abiden you 
long. And when he heard them, he 
asked them what they were. Sir, said 
she, leave your horse liere, and I shall 
leave mine ; and took their saddles and 
their bridles with them, and made a 
cross on them, and so entered into the 
ship. And the two knights received 
them both with gi-eat joy, and every 
each knew other. And so the wind 
arose, and drove them through the sea 
in a marvellous place. And within a 
while it dawned. Then did Galahad off 
his helm and his sword, and asked of 
his fellows from whence came that fair 
ship. Truly, said they, ye wot as well 
as we, but of God's grace. And then 
they told every each to other of all their 
hard adventures, and of their great 
temptation. Truly, said Galahad, ye 
are much bounden to God, for ye have 
escaped great adventures : and had not 
the gentlewoman been I had not come 
here; for as for you, I wend never to 
have found you in these strange coun- 
tries. Ah, Galahad, said Bors, if Laun- 
celot your father were here then were 
we well at ease, for then me seemeth 
we failed nothing. That may not be, 
said Galahad, but if it please our Lord, 
By then the ship went from the land of 
Logris, and by adventure it arrived up 
betwixt two rocks passing great and 
marvellous, but there they might not 
land, for there was a swallow of the 
sea, save there was another ship, and 
upon it they might go without danger. 
Go we thither, said the gentlewoman, 
and there shall we see adventures, for 
for so is our Lord's will. And when 
they came thither, they found the ship 
rich enough, but they found neither 
man nor woman therein. But they 
found in the end of the ship two fair 
letters written, which said a dreadful 
word and a marvellous : — Thou man 



OF SIR PERCIVALE'S SISTER. 



393 



which shall enter into this ship, beware 
thou be in steadfast belief, for I am Faith; 
and therefore beware how thou enterest, 
for and thou fail I shall not help thee. 
Then said the gentlewoman, Percivale, 
wot ye what I am? Certes, said he, 
nay, to my witting. Wit you well, said 
she, that I am thy sister, which am 
daughter of king Pellinore. And there- 
fore wit ye well ye are the man in the 
world that I most love. And if ye be 
not in perfect belief of Jesu Christ, enter 
not in no manner of wise, for then 
should ye perish in the ship, for he is 
so perfect he will suffer no sin in him. 
"When Percivale understood that she was 
his very sister, he was inwardly glad, 
and said. Fair sister, I shall enter 
therein, for if I be a mis-creature, or an 
untrue knight, there shall I perish. 

CHAP. in. 

How Sir Galahad entered into the ship, 
and of a fair bed therein, with other 
marvellous things, and of a sword. 

In the mean while Galahad blessed 
him and entered therein, and then next 
the gentlewoman, and then Sir Bors and 
Sir Percivale. And when they were 
therein, it was so marvellous fair and 
rich that they marvelled. And in the 
midst of the ship was a fair bed, and 
Sir Galahad went thereto, and found 
there a crown of silk. And at the feet 
was a sword rich and fair, and it was 
drawn out of the sheath half a foot and 
more, and the sword was of divers fa- 
shions, and the pommel was of stone, and 
there was in him all manner of colours 
that any man might find, and every each 
of the colours had divers virtues, and 
the scales of the haft were of two ribs of 
divers beasts. The one beast was a 
serpent, which was conversant in Cali- 
done, and is called the serpent of the 
fiend. And the bone of him is of such 
a virtue, that there is no hand that 
handleth him shall never be weary nor 
hurt : and the other beast is a fish, which 
is not right great, and haunleth the 
flood of Eufrates ; and that fish is called 
Ertanax, and his bones be of such a 



manner of kind, that who that handleth 
them shall have so much will that he 
shall never be weary, and he shall not 
think on joy nor sorrow that he hath 
had, but only that thing that he be- 
holdeth before him. And as for this 
sword there shall never man begripe it 
at the handle but one, but he shall 
pass all other. In the name of God, 
said Percivale, I shall essay to handle it. 
So he set his hand to the sword, but he 
might not begripe it. By my faith, said 
he, now have I failed. Bors set his 
hand thereto and failed. Then Galahad 
beheld the sword, and saw the letters 
like blood, that said. Let see who shall 
assay to draw me out of my sheath, but 
if he be more hardier than other, and 
who that draweth me, wit ye well that 
he shall never fail of shame of his body, 
or to be wounded to the death. By 
my faith, said Galahad, I would draw 
this sword out of the sheath, but the 
offending is so great, that I shall not 
set my hand thereto. Now sir, said 
the gentlewoman, wit ye well that the 
drawing of this sword is forbidden to 
all men, save all only unto you. Also 
this ship arrived in the realm of Logris, 
and that time was deadly war between 
king Labor, which was father unto the 
maimed king, and king Hurlame, which 
was a Saracen. But then was he 
newly christened, so that men held him 
afterwards one of the wittiest men of 
the world. And so upon a day it befell 
that king Labor and king Hurlame had 
assembled their folk upon the sea, where 
this ship was arrived, and there king 
Hurlame was discomfit, and his men 
slain, and he was afeard to be dead, and 
fled to his ship, and there found this 
sword, and drew it, and came out and 
found king Labor, the man in the world 
of all Christendom in whom was then 
the greatest faith. And when king 
Hurlame saw king Labor, he dressed 
this sword, and smote him upon the 
helm so hard, that he clave him and his 
horse to the earth with the first stroke 
of his sword. And it was in the realm 
of Logris ; and so befell great pestilence 
and great harm to both realms. For 



394 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



sithen increased neither corn nor grass, 
nor well nigh no fruit, nor in the water 
was no fish, wherefore men call it the 
lands of the two marches, the waste 
land, for that dolorous stroke. And 
when king Hurlame saw this sword 
so carving, he turned again to fetch the 
scabbard : and so came into this ship, 
and entered, and put up the sword in 
the sheath. And as soon as he had 
done it, he fell down dead afore the bed. 
Thus was the sword proved, that none 
ne drew it but he were dead or maimed. 
So lay he there till a maiden came into 
the ship, and cast him out, for there 
was no man so hardy of the world to 
enter into that ship for the defence. 

CHAP. IV. 

Of the marvels of the siuord and of the 
scabbard. 

And then beheld they the scabbard ; 
it seemed to be of a serpent's skin. And 
thereon were letters of gold and silver. 
And the girdle was but poorly to come 
to, and not able to sustain such a rich 
sword, and the letters said : He which 
shall wield me, ought to be more harder 
than any other, if he bear me as truly as 
I ought to be borne. For the body of 
him which I ought to hang by, he shall 
not be shamed in no place while he is 
gird with this girdle, nor never none 
be so hardy to do away this girdle for 
it ought not to be done away, but by the 
hands of a maid, and that she be a 
king's daughter, and queen's, and she 
must be a maid all the days of her 
life, both in will and in deed ; and if 
she break her virginity, she shall die the 
most villainous death that ever did any 
woman. Sir, said Percivale, turn this 
sword, that we may see what is on the 
other side. And it was red as blood, 
with black letters as any coal, which 
said, He that shall praise me most, most 
shall he find me to blame at a great 
need, and to whom I should be most 
debonair shall I be most felon, and that 
shall be at one time. Fair brother, said 
she to Percivale, it befell about a forty 
year after the passion of Jesu Christ, 



that Nacien, the brother-in-law of king 
Mordrains, was borne into a town more 
than fourteen days' journey from his 
country, by the commandment of our 
Lord, into an isle, into the parts of the 
west, that men call the Isle of Turnance. 
So befell it that he found this ship at 
the entry of a rock, and he found the 
bed, and this sword, as we have heard 
now. Not for then he had not so much 
hardiness to draw it : and there he 
dwelled an eight days, and at the ninth 
day there fell a great wind which de- 
parted him out of the isle, and brought 
him to another isle by a rock, and there 
he found the greatest giant that ever 
man might see. Therewith came that 
hojrible giant to slay him, and then 
he looked about him, and might not 
fly, and he had nothing to defend him 
with. So he ran to his sword, and 
when he saw it naked he praised it 
much, and then he shook it, and there- 
with he brake it in the midst. Ah, said 
Nacien, the thing I most praised ought 
I now most to blame. And therewith 
he threw the pieces of his sword over his 
bed. And after he lept over the board to 
fight with the giant, and slew him. And 
anon he entered into the ship again, and 
the wind arose, and drove him through 
the sea, that by adventure he came to 
another ship where king Mordrains 
was, which had been tempted full evil 
with a fiend in the port of perilous rock. 
And when that one saw the other they 
made great joy of other, and either told 
other of their adventure, and how the 
sword failed him at his most need. 
When Mordrains saw the sword he 
praised it much, — but the breaking was 
not to do but by wickedness of thyself- 
ward, for thou art in some sin : — and 
there he took the sword, and set the 
pieces together, and they soldered 
as fair as ever they were tofore ; and 
there he put the sword in the sheath, 
and laid it down on the bed. Then 
heard they a voice that said. Go out of 
this ship a little while, and enter into 
the other, for dread ye fall in deadly 
sin ; for, and ye be found in deadly sin, 
ye may not escape but perish. And so 



OF THE MARVELS OF THE SHIP. 



395 



they went into the other ship. And as 
Nacien went over the board, he was 
smitten with a sword on the right 
foot, that he fell down noseling to the 
ship's board, and therewith he said, O 
God, how am I hurt. And then there 
came a voice and said. Take thou that 
for thy forfeit that thou didst in drawing 
of this sword, therefore thou receivest a 
wound, for thou were never worthy to 
handle it, as the writing maketh men- 
tion. In the name of God, said Gala- 
had, ye are right wise of these works. 

CHAP. V. 

How king Pelles was smitten through both 
thighs because he drew the sword, and 
other marvellous histories. 

Sir, said she, there was a king that 
hight Pelles the maimed king. And 
while he might ride, he supported much 
Christendom, and holy Church. So upon 
a day he hunted in a wood of his which 
lasted unto the sea, and at the last he 
lost his hounds and his knights, save 
only one : and there he and his knight 
went till that they came toward Ireland, 
and there he found the ship. And when 
he saw the letters and understood them, 
yet he entered, for he was right perfect 
of his life : but his knight had none har- 
diness to enter, and there found he this 
sword, and drew it out as much as ye 
may see. So therewith entered a spear, 
wherewith he was smitten him through 
both the thighs, and never sith might 
he be healed, nor nought shall tofore 
we come to him. Thus, said she, was 
king Pelles, your grandsire, maimed for 
his hardiness. In the name of God, 
damsel, said Galahad. So they went 
toward the bed to behold all about it, 
and above the head there hung two 
swords. Also there were two spindles 
which were as white as any snow, and 
other that were as red as blood, and 
other above green as any emerald : of 
these three colours were the spindles, 
and of natural colour within, and with- 
out any painting. These spindles, said 
the damsel, were when sinful Eve came 
to gather fruit, for which Adam and 



she were put out of paradise, she took 
with her the bough on which the apple 
hung on. Then perceived she that the 
branch was fair and green, and she 
remembered her the loss which came 
from the tree. Then she thought to 
keep the branch as long as she might. 
And for she had no cofler to keep it in, 
she put it in the earth. So by the will 
of our Lord the branch grew to a great 
tree within a little while, and was as 
white as any snow, branches, boughs, 
and leaves, that was a token a maiden 
planted it. But after the tree which 
was white became green as any grass, 
and all that came out of it. And in the 
same time there was Abel begotten ; 
thus was the tree long of green colour. 
And so it befell many days after, under 
the same tree Cain slew Abel, whereof 
befell great marvel. For anon as Abel 
had received the death under the green 
tree, it lost the green colour and became 
red, and that was in tokening of the 
blood. And anon all the plants died 
thereof, but the tree grew and waxed mar- 
vellously fair, and it was the fairest tree 
and the most delectable that any man 
might behold and see, and so died the 
plants that grew out of it tofoie the 
time that Abel was slain under it. So 
long endured the tree till that Solomon 
king David's son reigned, and held the 
land after his father. This Solomon 
was wise, and knew all the virtues of 
stones and trees, and so he knew the 
course of the stars, and many other 
diverse things. 

This Solomon had an evil wife, where 
through he wend that there had never 
been no good woman, and so he de- 
spised them in his books. So answered 
a voice him once, Solomon, if heaviness 
come to a man by a woman, ne reck 
thou never. For yet shall there come 
a woman whereof there shall come 
greater joy unto man an hundred times 
more than this heaviness giveth sorrow, 
and that woman shall be born of thy 
lineage. Then when Solomon heard 
these words, he held himself but a fool, 
and the truth he perceived by old books. 
Also the Holy Ghost shewed him the 



39^ 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



coming of the glorious Virgin Mary. 
Then asked he of the voice if it should 
be in the end of his lineage. Nay, said 
the voice, but there shall come a man 
which shall be a maid, and the last 
of your blood, and he shall be as good 
a knight as duke Josua thy brother-in- 
law. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Solo7no7i took David's sword by the 
counsel of his wife, arid of other tnatters 
marvellous. 

Now have I certified thee of that thou 
stoodst in doubt. Then was Solomon 
glad that there should come any such of 
his lineage, but ever he marvelled and 
studied who that should be, and what 
his name might be His wife perceived 
that he studied, and thought that she 
would know it at some season, and so 
she waited her time, and asked of him the 
cause of his studying, and there he told 
her altogether how the voice told him. 
Well, said she, I shall let make a ship 
of the best wood and most durable that 
men may find. So Solomon sent for all 
the carpenters of the land and the best. 
And when they had made the ship, the 
lady said to Solomon, Sir, said she, since 
it is so that this knight ought to pass 
all other knights of chivalry which have 
been tofore him, and shall come after 
him, moreover I shall tell you, said she, ye 
shall go into our Lord's temple, whereas 
is king David's sword, your father, the 
which is the marvellousest and sharpest 
that ever was taken in any knight's 
hand. Therefore take that, and take 
off the pommel, and thereto make ye a 
pommel of precious stones, that it be 
so subtilly made that no man perceive 
it but that they be all one. And after 
make there an hilt so marvellously 
and wonderly that no man may know 
it. And after make a marvellous 
sheath. And when ye have made all 
this, I shall let make a girdle thereto, 
such as shall please me. All this king 
Solomon did let make as she devised, 
both the ship and all the remnant. And 
when the ship was ready in the sea to 
sail, the lady let make a great bed, and 



marvellous rich, and set her upon the 
bed's head covered with silk, and laid 
the sword at the feet, and the girdles 
were of hemp, and therewith the king 
was angry. Sir, wit ye well, said she, 
that I have none so high a thing which 
were worthy to sustain so high a sword, 
and a maid shall bring other knights 
thereto, but I wot not when it shall be, 
nor what time. And there she let 
make a covering to the ship, of cloth 
of silk that should never rot for no 
manner of weather. Yet went that lady, 
and made a carpenter to come to the 
tree which Abel was slain under. Now, 
said she, carve me out of this tree as 
much wood as will make me a spindle. 
Ah, madam, said he, this is the tree the 
which our first mother planted. Do it, 
said she, or else I shall destroy thee. 
Anon as he began to work there came 
out drops of blood, and then would he 
have leit, but she would not suffer him, 
and so he took away as much wood as 
might make a spindle, and so she made 
him to take as much of the green tree, 
and of the white tree. And when these 
three spindles were shapen, she made 
them to be fastened upon the ceiling of 
the bed. When Solomon saw this, he 
said to his wife. Ye have done marvel- 
lously, for though all the world were 
here right now, they could not devise 
wherefore all this was made, but our 
Lord himself, and thou that hast done 
it wotest not what it shall betoken. 
Now let it be, said she, for ye shall 
hear tidings sooner than ye ween. 

Now shall ye hear a wonderful tale 
of king Solomon and his wife. 

CHAP. vn. 

A wonderful tale of king Solomon and 
his wife. 

That night lay Solomon before the 
ship with little fellowship. And when 
he was on sleep, him thought there 
came from heaven a great company of 
angels, and alight into the ship, and 
took water which was brought by an 
angel in a vessel of silver, and sprinkled 
all the ship. And after he came to the 



PERCI VALE'S SISTER MAKES A GIRDLE. 



397 



sword and drew letters on the hilt. 
And after went to the ship's board, and 
wrote there other letters, which said : 
Thou man that wilt enter within me, 
beware that thou be full within the 
faith, for I ne am but faith and belief. 
When vSolomon espied these letters he 
was abashed, so that he durst not enter, 
and so drew him aback, and the ship 
was anon shoven in the sea, and he went 
so fast that he lost sight of him within 
a little while. And then a little voice 
said, Solomon, the last knight of thy 
lineage shall rest in this bed. Then 
went Solomon and awaked his wife, 
and told her of the adventures of the 
ship. 

Now saith the history, that a great 
while the three fellows beheld the bed 
and the three spindles. Then they 
were at certain that they were of 
natural colours, without painting. Then 
they lift up a cloth which was above 
the ground, and there they found a 
rich purse by seeming. And Percivale 
took it, and found therein a writ, 
and so he read it, and devised the 
manner of the spindles, and of the 
ship, whence it came, and by whom it 
was made. Now, said Galahad, where 
shall we find the gentlewoman that 
shall make new girdles to the sword. 
Fair sir, said Percivale's sister, dismay 
you not, for by the leave of God I 
shall let make a girdle to the swoi'd, 
such one as shall belong thereto. And 
then she opened a box, and took out 
girdles which were seemly wrought 
with golden threads, and upon that 
were set full precious stones, and a rich 
buckle of gold. Lo lords, said she, 
here is a girdle that ought to be set 
about the sword. And wit ye well the 
greatest part of this girdle was made 
of my hair, which I loved well while 
that I was a woman of the world. But 
as soon as I wist that this adventure 
was ordained me, I clipped off my hair 
and made this girdle in the name of 
God. Ye be well found, said Sir Bors, 
for certes you have put us out of great 
pain, wherein we should have entered 
ne had your tidings been. Then went 



the gentlewoman and set it on the girdle 
of the sword. Now, said the fellow- 
ship, what is the name of the sword, 
and what shall we call it ? Truly, said 
she, the name of the sword is, the sword 
with the strange girdles, and the sheath, 
mover of blood ; for no man that hath 
blood in him shall never see the one 
part of the sheath which was made of 
the tree of life. Then they said to 
Galahad, In the name of Jesu Christ, 
and pray you that ye gird you with 
this sword, which hath been desired 
so much in the realm of Logris. Now 
let me begin, said Galahad, to gripe 
this sword for to give you courage : 
but wit ye well it belongeth no more 
to me then it doth to you. And then 
he griped about it with his fingers 
a great deal. And then she girt him 
about the middle with the sword: — Now 
reck I not though I die, for now I hold 
me one of the blessed maidens of the 
world, which hath made the worthiest 
knight of the world. Damsel, said 
Galahad, ye have done so much that 
I shall be your knight all the days of 
my life. Then they went from that 
ship, and went to the other. And anon 
the wind drove them into the sea a 
great pace, but they had no victual : 
but it befell that they came on the morn 
to a castle that men call Carteloise, 
that was in the marches of Scotland. 
And when they had passed the port, the 
gentlewoman said, Lords, here be men 
arriven that, and they wist that ye were 
of king Arthur's court, ye should be 
assailed anon. Damsel, said Galahad, 
he that cast us out of the rock shall 
deliver us from them. 

CHAP. VIII. 

How Galahad and his fellows came to a 
castle, and how they were fought withal, 
and how they slew their adversaries, 
and other matters. 

So it befell, as they spake thus there 
came a squire by them, and asked what 
they were. And they said they were 
of king Arthur's house. Is that sooth ? 
said he. Now by my head, said he, ye 



398 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVII. 



be ill arrayed ; and then turned he 
again unto the cliff fortress. And within 
a while they heard a horn blow. Then 
a gentlewoman came to them, and asked 
them of whence they were, and they 
told her. Fair lords, said she, for God's 
love turn again if ye may, for ye be 
come unto your death. Nay, they said, 
we will not turn again, for He shall 
help us in whose service we be entered 
in. Then as they stood talking, there 
came knights well armed, and bad them 
yield them, or else to die. That yield- 
ing, said they, shall be noyous to you ; 
and therewith they let their horses 
i-un, and Sir Percivale smote the fore- 
most to the earth, and took his horse 
and mounted thereupon, and the same 
did Galahad. Also Sir Bors served 
another so. For they had no horses 
in that country, for they left their 
horses when they took their ship in 
other countries. And so when they 
were horsed then began they to set 
upon them. And they of the castle 
fled into the strong fortress, and the 
three knights after them, into the castle, 
and so alight on foot, and with their 
swords slew them down, and gat into 
the hall. Then when they beheld the 
great multitude of people they had slain, 
they held themselves great sinners. 
Certes, said Bors, I ween and God had 
loved them that we should not have had 
power to have slain them thus, but they 
have done so much against our Lord 
that he will not suffer them to reign no 
longer. Say ye not so, said Galahad, 
for if they misdid against God the ven- 
geance is not ours, but to Him which 
hath power thereof. So came there out 
of a chamber a good man which was a 
priest, and bear God's body in a cup. 
And when he saw them which lay dead 
in the hall, he was all abashed. And 
Galahad did off his helm and kneeled 
down, and so did his two fellows. Sir, 
said they, have ye no dread of us, for 
we be of king Arthur's court. Then 
asked the good man how they were 
slain so suddenly ; and they told it him. 
Truly, said the good man, and ye might 
lire as long as the world might endure, 



never might ye have done so great an 
alms-deed as this. Sir, said Galahad, 
I repent me much, inasmuch as they 
were christened. Nay, repent you not, 
said he, for they were not christened, 
and I shall tell you how that I wot of 
this castle. Here was lord earl Hernox 
not but one year, and he had three sons 
good knights of arms, and a daughter 
the fairest gentlewoman that men knew. 
So those three knights loved their sister 
so sore that they burnt in love, and so 
they dishonoured her, maugre her head. 
And for she cried to her father, they slew 
her, and took their father and put him 
in prison, and woimded him nigh to the 
death, but a cousin of hers rescued him. 
And then did they great untruth : they 
slew clerks and priests, and made beat 
down chapels, that our Lord's service 
might not be served nor said ; and this 
same day their father sent to me for to 
be confessed and houseled, but such 
shame had never man as I had this 
day with the three brethren : but the 
earl bad me suffer, for he said they 
should not long endure, for three ser- 
vants of our Lord should destroy them ; 
and now it is brought to an end. And 
by this ye may wit that our Lord is not 
displeased with your deeds. Certes, 
said Galahad, and it had not pleased 
our Lord, never should we have slain 
so many men in so little a while. And 
then they brought the earl Heraox out 
of prison into the midst of the hall, that 
knew Galahad anon, and yet he saw 
him never afore but by revelation of 
our Lord. 

CHAP. IX. 

How the three knights, with PercivaWs 
sister, came into the waste forest, and of 
an hart atidfour lions and other things. 

Then began he to weep right tenderly, 
and said. Long have I abiden your com- 
ing, but for God's love hold me in your 
arms, that my soul may depart out of 
my body in so good a man's arms as ye 
be. Gladly, said Galahad. And then 
one said on high that all heard, Gala- 
had, well hast thou avenged me on 



CHAP. X, 



THE STRANGE CUSTOM OF A CASTLE. 



399 



God's enemies. Now behoveth thee to 
go to the maimed king as soon as thou 
mayest, for he shall receive by thee 
health which he hath abiden so long. 
And therewith the soul departed from 
the body. And Galahad made him to 
be buried as he ought to be. 

Right so departed the three knights, 
and Percivale's sister with them. And 
so they came into a waste forest, and 
there they saw afore them a white hart, 
which four lions led. Then they took 
them to assent for to follow after, for 
to know whither they repaired ; and so 
they rode after, a great pace, till that 
they came to a valley, and thereby 
was an hermitage where a good man 
dwelled; and the hart and the lions 
entered also. So when they saw all 
this, they turned to the chapel, and saw 
the good man in a religious weed, and 
in the armour of our Lord, for he 
would sing mass of the Holy Ghost, 
and so they entered in and heard mass. 
And at the secrets of the mass, they 
three saw the hart become a man, the 
which marvelled them, and set him 
upon the altar in a rich siege, and saw 
the four lions were changed, the one to 
the form of a man, the other to the 
form of a lion, and the third to an 
eagle, and the fourth was changed unto 
an ox. Then took they their siege 
where the hart sat, and went out 
through a glass window, and there was 
nothing perished nor broken, and they 
heard a voice say. In such a manner en- 
tered the son of God in the womb of 
a maid, Mary. And when they heard 
these words, they fell down to the earth, 
and were astonied, and therewith was 
a great clearness. And when they were 
come to themselves again, they went to 
the good man, and prayed him that he 
would say them truth. What thing have 
ye seen ? said he : and they told him all 
that they had seen. Ah, lords, said he, 
ye be welcome, now wot I well ye be 
the good knights the which shall bring 
the Sancgreal to an end ; for ye be they 
unto whom our Lord shall shew great 
secrets. And well ought our Lord be 
signified to an hart ; for the hart when 



he is old he waxeth young again in his 
white skin : right so cometh again our 
Lord from death to life, for he lost 
earthly flesh, that was the deadly flesh 
which he had taken in the womb of the 
blessed virgin Mary ; and for that cause 
appeared our Lord as a white hart M'ith- 
out spot. And the four that were with 
him is to understand the four evange- 
lists, which set in writing a part of Jesu 
Christ's deeds that he did some time 
when he was among you an earthly 
man. P'or wit ye well never erst might 
no knight know the truth, for, ofltimes 
or this, our Lord shewed him imto good 
men and unto good knights in likeness 
of an hart. But I suppose from hence- 
forth ye shall see no more. And then 
they joyed much, and dwelled there all 
that day. And upon the morrow, when 
they had heard mass they departed, and 
commended the good man to God. 
And so they came to a castle, and 
passed by. So there came a knight 
armed after them, and said. Lords, 
hark what 1 shall say to you. 

CHAP. X. 

How they were desired of a strange cttstom, 
the which they would not obey ; and bow 
they fought and slew many knights. 

This gentlewoman that ye lead with 
you is a maid? Sir, said she, a maid 
I am. Then he took her by the bridle 
and said. By the holy cross ye shall not 
escape me tofore ye have yielden the 
custom of this castle. Let her go, said 
Percivale ; ye be not wise, for a maid in 
what place she cometh is free. So in 
the meanwhile there came out a ten or 
twelve knights armed, out of the castle, 
and with them came gentlewomen which 
held a dish of silver, and then they said, 
This gentlewoman must yield us the 
custom of this castle. Sir, said a 
knight, what maid passeth hereby shall 
give this dish full of blood of her right 
arm. Blame have ye, said Galahad, 
that brought up such customs, and I 
ensure you of this gentlewoman ye 
shall fail while that I live. Truly, said 
Sir Percivale, I had lever be slain. And 



400 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVII. 



I also, said Sir Bors. By my truth, 
said the knight, then shall ye die, for 
ye may not endure against us, though 
ye were the best knights of the world. 
Then let them run each to other, and 
the three fellows beat the ten knights, 
and then set their hands to their swords, 
and beat them down and slew them. 
Then there came out of the castle well 
a threescore knights armed. Fair lords, 
said the three fellows, have mercy upon 
yourselves, and have not ado with us. 
Nay, fair lords, said the knights of the 
castle, we counsel you to withdraw 
you, for ye are the best knights of the 
world, and therefore do no more, for ye 
have done enough. We will let you go 
with this harm, but we must needs have 
the custom. Certes, said Galahad, for 
nought speak ye. Well, said they, will 
ye die? We be not yet come thereto, 
said Galahad. Then began they to 
meddle together, and Galahad drew his 
sword with the strange girdles, and 
smote on the right hand and on the left 
hand, and slew what that ever abode 
him, and did such marvels that there 
was none that saw him but they wend 
he had been none earthly man but a 
monster. And his two fellows halp 
him passing well, and so they held 
the journey every each in like hard, 
till it was night. Then must they 
needs part. So came a good knight 
and said to the three fellows. If ye will 
come in to night, and take such harbour 
as here is, ye shall be right welcome, 
and we shall ensure you by the faith of 
our bodies, as we are true knights, to 
leave you in such estate to-morrow as 
we find you, without any falsehood. 
And as soon as ye know of the custom 
we dare say ye will accord. Therefore, 
for God's love, said the gentlewoman, 
go thither, and spare not for me. Go 
we, said Galahad, and so they entered 
into the castle. And when they were 
alight, they made great joy of them. 
So within a while the three knights 
asked the custom of the castle, and 
wherefore it was. What it is, said they, 
we will say you sooth. 



CHAP. XI. 

How Sir Percivales sister bled a dish ftill 
of blood for to heal a lady ; wherefore 
she died; and how that the body was 
put in a ship. 

There is in this castle a gentlewoman 
which we and this castle is hers, and 
many other. So it befell many years 
agone there fell upon her a malady. 
And when she had lain a great while, 
she fell into a measle, and of no 
leech she could have no remedy. But 
at the last an old man said, and she 
might have a dish full of blood of a 
maid and a clean virgin in will and 
in work, and a king's daughter, that 
blood should be her health, and for to 
anoint her withal : and for this thing 
was this custom made. Now, said Per- 
civale's sister. Fair knights, I see well 
that this gentlewoman is but dead. 
Certes, said Galahad, and if ye bleed 
so much, ye may die. Truly, said she, 
and I die for to heal her, I shall get 
me great worship and soul's health, 
and worship to my lineage, and better 
is one harm than twain. And therefore 
there shall be no more battle, but to- 
morn I shall yield you your custom of 
this castle. And then there was great 
joy, more than there was tofore. For 
else had there been mortal war upon 
the morn ; notwithstanding she would 
none other, whether they would or nold. 
That night were the three fellows eased 
with the best, and on the morn they 
heard mass, and Sir Percivale's sister 
bad bring forth the sick lady. So she 
was, the which was evil at ease. Then 
said she, Who shall let me blood ? So 
one came forth and let her blood, and 
she bled so much that the dish was full. 
Then she lift up her hand and blessed 
her. And then she said to the lady, 
Madam, I am come to the death, for to 
make you whole; for God's love pray 
for me. With that she fell in a swoon. 
Then Galahad and his two fellows 
start up to her, and lift her up, and 
stanched her, but she had bled so much 
that she might not live. Then she said, 
when she was awaked, Fair brother 



HOW PERCIVALE'S SISTER DIED. 



401 



Percivale, I die for the healing of this 
lady. So I require you that ye bury not 
me in this country, but as soon as I am 
dead put me in a boat at the next 
haven, and let me go as adventure will 
lead me ; and as soon as ye three come 
to the city of Sarras, there to achieve 
the holy Graile, ye shall find me under 
a tower arrived, and there bury me in 
the spiritual place, for I say you so 
much, there Galahad shall be buried, 
and ye also, in the same place. Then 
Percivale understood these words, and 
granted it her, weeping. And then 
said a voice, Lords and fellows, to- 
morrow at the hour of prime ye three 
shall depart every each from other, till 
the adventure bring you to the maimed 
king. Then asked she her Saviour, and 
as soon as she had received him the 
soul departed from the body. So the 
same day was the lady healed, when she 
was anointed withal. Then Sir Perci- 
vale made a letter of all that she had 
holpen them as in strange adventures, 
and put it in her right hand, and so laid 
her in a barge, and covered it with black 
silk ; and so the wind arose, and drove 
the barge from the land, and all knights 
beheld it, till it was out of their sight. 

Then they drew all to the castle, and 
so forthwith there fell a sudden tempest, 
and a thunder, lightning, and rain, as 
all the earth would have broken. So 
half the castle turned up so down. So it 
passed evensong or the tempest was 
ceased. Then they saw afore them a 
knight aiTned and wounded hard in the 
body and in the head, that said. Oh 
God, succour me, for now it is need ! 
After this knight came another knight 
and a dwarf which cried to them afar, 
Stand, ye may not escape. Then the 
wounded knight held up his hands to 
God, that he should not die in such 
tribulation. Truly, said Galahad, I shall 
succour him for His sake that he calleth 
upon. Sir, said Bors, I shall do it, for it 
is not for you, for he is but one knight. 
Sir, said he, I grant. So Sir Bors took his 
horse, and commended him to God, and 
rode after to rescue the wounded knight. 

Now turn we to the two fellows. 



CHAP. xn. 

How Galahad and Percivale fowid in a 
castle many tombs of maidens that had 
hied to death. 

Now saith the story that all night 
Galahad and Percivale were in a chapel 
in their prayers, for to save Sir Bors. 
So on the morrow they dressed them in 
their harness toward the castle, to wit 
what was fallen of them therein. And 
when they came there, they found 
neither man nor woman that he ne was 
dead by the vengeance of our Lord. 
With that they heard a voice that said, 
This vengeance is for blood shedding of 
maidens. Also they found at the end 
of the chapel a churchyard, and therein 
might they see a threescore fair tombs, 
and that place was so fair and so de- 
lectable that it seemed them there had 
been none tempest. For there lay the 
bodies of all the good maidens which 
w^ere martyred for the sick lady's sake. 
Also they found the names of every 
each, and of what blood they were come, 
and all were of kings' blood, and twelve 
of them were kings' daughters. Then 
they departed, and went into a forest. 
Now, said Percivale unto Galahad, we 
must depart ; so pray we our Lord that 
we may meet together in short time. 
Then they did off their helms, and 
kissed together, and wept at their 
departing. 

CHAP. XHL 

How Sir Launcelot entered into the ship 

where Sir Percivale' s sister lay dead; 

and how be met with Sir Galahad his 

son. 

Now saith the history, that when 
Launcelot was come to the water of 
Mortoise, as it is rehearsed before, he 
was in great peril, and so he laid him 
down and slept, and took the adventure 
that God would send him. 

So when he was asleep, there came a 
vision unto him and said, Launcelot, 
arise up, and take thine armour, and 
enter into the first ship that thou shalt 
find. And when he had heard these 
words, he start up and saw great clear- 



26 



402 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



ness about him. And then he lift up 
his hand and blessed him, and so took 
his arms, and made him ready ; and so 
by adventure he came by a strand, and 
found a ship, the which was without 
sail or oar. And as soon as he was 
within the ship, there he felt the most 
sweetness that ever he felt ; and he was 
fulfilled with all thing that he thought 
on or desired. Then said he. Fair sweet 
Father Jesu Christ, I wot not in what 
joy I am, for this joy passeth all earthly 
joys that ever I was in. And so in this 
joy he laid him down to the ship's board, 
and slept till day. And when he awoke, 
he found there a fair bed, and therein ly- 
ing a gentlewoman dead, the which was 
Sir Percivale's sister. And as Launcelot 
devised her, he espied in her right hand 
a writ, the which he read, the which told 
him all the adventures that ye have 
heard tofore, and of what lineage she 
was come. So with this gentlewoman 
Sir Launcelot was a month and more. If 
ye would ask how he lived, He that fed 
the people of Israel with manna in the 
desert, so was he fed. For eveiy day, 
when he had said his prayers, he was 
sustained with the grace of the Holy 
Ghost. So on a night he went to play 
him by the water side, for he was some- 
what weary of the ship. And then he 
listened, and heard an horse come, and 
one riding upon him. And when he 
came nigh he seemed a knight. And so 
he let him pass, and went there as the 
ship was, and there he alight, and took 
the saddle and the bridle and put the 
horse from him, and went into the ship. 
And then Launcelot dressed unto him 
and said. Ye be welcome. And he 
answered and saluted him again, and 
asked him. What is your name? for 
much my heart giveth unto you. Truly, 
said he, my name is Launcelot du Lake. 
Sir, said he, then be ye welcome, for ye 
were the beginner of me in this world. 
Ah, said he, are ye Galahad ? Yea for- 
sooth, said he. And so he kneeled down 
and asked him his blessing, and after 
took off his helm and kissed him. And 
there was great joy between them, for 
there is no tongue can tell the joy that 



they made either of other, and many a 
friendly word spoken between, as kind 
would, the which is no need here to 
be rehearsed. And there every each 
told other of their adventures and mar- 
vels that were befallen to them in many 
journeys, sith that they departed from 
the court. Anon as Galahad saw the 
gentlewoman dead in the bed, he knew 
her well enough, and told great worship 
of her, and that she was the best maid 
living, and it was great pity of her death. 
But when Launcelot heard how the mar- 
vellous sword was gotten, and who made 
it, and all the marvels rehearsed afore, 
then he prayed Galahad his son that he 
would shew him the sword, and so he 
did. And anon he kissed the pommel, 
and the hilts, and the scabbard. Truly, 
said Launcelot, never erst knew I of so 
high adventures done, and so marvellous 
and strange. So dwelled Launcelot and 
Galahad within that ship half a year, 
and served God daily and nightly with 
all their power. And often they arrived 
in isles far from folk, where there re- 
paired none but wild beasts ; and there 
they found many strange adventures and 
perilous, which they brought to an end. 
But because the adventures were with 
wild beasts, and not in the quest of the 
Sancgreal, therefore the tale maketh 
here no mention thereof, for it would 
be too long to tell of all those adven- 
tures that befell them. 

CHAP. XIV. 
How a knight brought unto Sir Galahad 

an horse, and bad him come from his 

father Sir Launcelot. 

So after, on a Monday, it befell that 
they arrived in the edge of a forest, 
tofore a cross, and then saw they a 
knight, armed all in white, and was 
richly horsed, and led in his right hand 
a white horse. And so he came to the 
ship, and saluted the two knights on the 
high Lord's behalf, and said, Galahad, 
sir, ye have been long enough with your 
father, come out of the ship, and start 
upon this horse, and go where the ad- 
ventures shall lead thee in the quest of 
the Sancgreal. Then he went to his 



CHAP. XIV. THE LAST PARTING OF LAUNCELOT AND GALAHAD. 403 



father, and kissed him sweetly, and said. 
Fair sweet father, I wot not when I 
shall see you more, till I see the body 
of Jesu Christ. I pray you, said Laun- 
celot, pray ye to the high Father that He 
hold me in his service. And so he took 
his horse ; and there they heard a voice, 
that said, Think for to do well, for the 
one shall never see the other before the 
dreadful day of doom. Now, son Gala- 
had, said Launcelot, since we shall de- 
part, and never see other, I pray to the 
high Father to preserve both me and 
you both. Sir, said Galahad, no prayer 
availeth so much as yours. And there- 
with Galahad entered into the forest. 
And the wind arose, and drove Launce- 
lot more than a month throughout the 
sea, where he slept but little, but prayed 
to God that he might see some tidings of 
the Sancgreal. So it befell on a night, 
at midnight he arrived afore a castle, on 
the back side, which was rich and fair. 
And there was a postern opened towards 
the sea, and was open without any keep- 
ing, save two lions kept the entry ; and 
the moon shone clear. Anon Sir Laun- 
celot heard a voice that said, Launcelot, 
go out of this ship, and enter into the 
castle, where thou shalt see a great part 
of thy desire. Then he ran to his arms, 
and so armed him, and so he went to 
the gate, and saw the lions. Then set 
he hand to his sword, and drew it. 
Then there came a dwarf suddenly, and 
smote him on the arm so sore that the 
sword fell out of his hand. Then heard 
he a voice say, Oh man of evil faith and 
poor belief, wherefore trowest thou more 
on thy harness than in thy Maker ? for 
He might more avail thee than thine 
armour, in whose service thou art set. 
Then said Launcelot, Fair Father Jesu 
Christ, I thank thee of thy great mercy, 
that thou reprovest me of my misdeed. 
Now see I well that ye hold me for your 
servant. Then took he again his sword, 
and put it up in his sheath, and made a 
cross in his forehead, and came to the 
lions, and they made semblant to do 
him harm. Notwithstanding he passed 
by them without hurt, and entered into 
the castle to the chief fortress, and there 



were they all at rest. Then Launcelot 
entered in so armed, for he found no 
gate nor door but it was open. And at 
the last he found a chamber whereof 
the door was shut, and he set his hand 
thereto to have opened it, but he might 
not. 

CHAP. XV. 

How Sir Launcelot was tofore the door of 
the chamber wherein the holy Sangreal 
was. 

Then he enforced him mickle to undo 
the door. Then he listened, and heard 
a voice which sang so sweetly that it 
seemed none earthly thing; and him 
thought the voice said, Joy and honour 
be to the Father of Heaven! Then 
Launcelot kneeled down tofore the 
chamber, for well wist he that there 
was the Sancgreal within that chamber. 
Then said he, Fair sweet Father Jesu 
Christ, if ever I did thing that pleased 
the Lord, for thy pity have me not in 
despite for my sins done aforetime, and 
that thou shew me something of that I 
seek ! And with that he saw the cham- 
ber door open, and there came out a 
great clearness, that the house was as 
bright as all the torches of the world 
had been there. So came he to the 
chamber door, and would have entered. 
And anon a voice said to him, Flee 
Launcelot, and enter not, for thou 
oughtest not to do it : and if thou enter 
thou shalt forthink it. Then he with- 
drew him aback right heavy. Then 
looked he up in the midst of the cham- 
ber, and saw a table of silver, and the 
holy vessel covered with red samite, and 
many angels about it, whereof one held 
a candle of wax burning, and the other 
held a cross, and the ornaments of an 
altar. And before the holy vessel he 
saw a good man clothed as a priest, 
and it seemed that he was at the sacring 
of the mass. And it seemed to Launce- 
lot that above the priest's hands there 
were three men, whereof the two put the 
youngest by likeness between the priest's 
hands, and so he lift it up right high, 
and it seemed to shew so to the people. 
And then Launcelot marvelled not a 

26—2 



404 



MORTE B ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVII. 



little, for him thought that the priest 
was so greatly charged of the figure, 
that him seemed that he should fall to 
the earth. And when he saw none 
about him that would help him, then 
came he to the door a great pace, and 
said, Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne take 
it for no sin though I help the good 
man, which hath great need of help. 
Right so entered he into the chamber, 
and came toward the table of silver ; 
and when he came nigh he felt a breath 
that him thought it was intermeddled 
with fire, which smote him so sore in 
the visage that him thought it burnt his 
visage; and therewith he fell to the 
earth, and had no power to arise, as he 
that was so araged that had lost the 
power of his body, and his hearing, and 
his saying. Then felt he many hands 
about him, which took him up and bare 
him out of the chamber door, without 
any amending of his swoon, and left 
him there seeming dead to all people. 
So upon the morrow, when it was fair 
day, they within were arisen, and found 
Launcelot lying afore the chamber door. 
All they man-elled how that he came 
in. And so they looked upon him, and 
felt his pulse, to wit whether there were 
any life in him ; and so they found life 
in him, but he might neither stand, nor 
stir no member that he had ; and so 
they took him by every part of the body, 
and bare him into a chamber, and laid 
him in a rich bed, far from all folk, and 
so he lay four days. Then the one said 
he was on live, and the other said nay. 
In the name of God, said an old man, 
for I do you verily to wit he is not 
dead, but he is so full of life as the 
mightiest of you all, and therefore I 
counsel you that he be well kept till 
God send him life again. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How Sir Lmincelot had lain fourteen days 
and as many nights as a dead i7ian, and 
other divers matters. 

In such manner they kept Launcelot 
four and twenty days, and also many 
nights, that ever he lay still as a dead 



man ; and at the twenty-fifth day befell 
him after midday that he opened his 
eyes. And when he saw folk he made 
great sorrow and said. Why have ye 
awaked me? for I was more at ease 
than I am now. Oh Jesu Christ, w-ho 
might be so blessed that might see 
openly thy great marvels of secretness 
there where no sinner may be. What 
have ye seen ? said they about him. I 
have seen, said he, so great marvels that 
no tongue may tell, and more than any 
heart can think, and had not my son 
been here afore me I had seen much 
more. Then they told him how he 
had lain there four and twenty days 
and nights. Then him thought it was 
punishment for the twenty-four years 
that he had been a sinner, wherefore 
our Lord put him in penance four and 
twenty days and nights. Then looked 
Sir Launcelot before him, and saw the 
hair which he had borne nigh a year, 
for that he forethought him right 
much that he had broken his promise 
unto the hermit, which he had avowed 
to do. Then they asked him how it 
stood with him. Forsooth, said he, I 
am whole of body, thanked be our 
Lord ; therefore, sirs, for God's love tell 
me where that I am? Then said they 
all that he was in the castle of Carbo- 
nek. Therewith came a gentlewoman, 
and brought him a shirt of small 
linen cloth, but he changed not there, 
but took the hair to him again. Sir, 
said they, the quest of the Sancgreal is 
achieved right now in you, that never 
shall ye see of the Sancgreal no more 
than ye have seen. Now I thank God, 
said Launcelot, of His great mercy, of 
that I have seen, for it sufficeth me, for, 
as I suppose, no man in this world hath 
lived better than I have done to achieve 
that I have done. And therewith he 
took the hair, and clothed him in it, 
and above that he put a linen shirt, and 
after a robe of scarlet, fresh and new. 
And when he was so arrayed, they mar- 
velled all, for they knew him that he 
was Launcelot, the good knight. And 
then they said all, O my lord Sir Laun- 
celot, be that ye ? And he said, Tmly 



CHAP. xvn. HOW LAUNCELOT RETURNED TO CAMELOT. 



405 



I am he. Then came word to king 
Pelles, that the knight that had lain so 
long dead was Sir Launcelot ; then was 
the king right glad, and went to see 
him. And when Launcelot saw him 
come, he dressed him against him, and 
there made the king great joy of him. 
And there the king told him tidings, 
that his fair daughter was dead. Then 
Launcelot was right heavy of it, and 
said, Sir, me forthinketh the death of 
your daughter, for she was a full fair 
lady, fresh and young. And well I wot 
she bare the best knight that is now 
on earth, or that ever was since God 
was born. So the king held him there 
four days. And on the morrow he took 
his leave at king Pelles, and at all the 
fellowship that were there, and thanked 
them of the great labour. Right so as 
they sat at dinner in the chief hall, then 
was it so befallen that the Sancgreal 
had fulfilled the tables with all manner 
of meats that any heart might think. 
So as they sat, they saw all the doors 
and windows of the place were shut 
without man's hand, whereof they were 
all abashed, and none wist what to do. 
And then it happed suddenly a knight 
came to the chief door, and knocked, 
and cried. Undo the door; but they 
would not. And ever he cried. Undo, 
but they would not. And at the last 
it annoyed them so much, that the king 
himself arose, and came to a window 
where the knight called. Then he said. 
Sir knight, ye shall not enter at this 
time, while the Sancgreal is here, and 
therefore go into another. For certes 
ye be none of the knights of the quest, 
but one of them which hath served the 
fiend, and hast left the service of our 
Lord. And he was passing wroth at 
the king's words. Sir knight, said the 
king, sin ye would so fain enter, say me 
of what countiy ye be ? Sir, said he, I 
am of the realm of Logris, and my name 
is Ector de Maris, and brother unto my 
lord Sir Launcelot. Truly, said the king, 
me forthinketh of that I have said, for 
your brother is here within. And when 
Ector de Maris understood that his 
brother was there, for he was the man 



in the world that he most dread and 
loved, and then he said, Alas, now 
doubleth my sorrow and shame, full 
tndy said the good man of the hill unto 
Gawaine and to me of our dreams. 
Then went he out of the court as fast as 
his courser might run, and so through 
out the castle. 

CHAP. xvn. 

How Sir Launcelot returned towards 
Logris, and of other adventures which 
he saw in the way. 

Then king Pelles came to Sir Laun- 
celot, and told him tidings of his brother, 
whereof he was sorry that he wist not 
what to do. So Sir Launcelot departed, 
and took his armour, and said that he 
would go see the realm of Logris — 
which I have not seen in a twelve- 
month. And therewith commended 
the king to God, and so rode through 
many realms. And at the last he came 
to a white abbey, and there they made 
him that night great cheer. And on 
the morn he arose and heard mass, 
and afore an altar he found a rich tomb 
which was newly made, and then he 
took heed, and saw the sides written 
with letters of gold, which said, Here 
lieth king Bagdemagus of Gore, the 
which king Arthur's nephew slew : — 
and nam.ed him Sir Gawaine, Then 
was not he a little sorry, for Launcelot 
loved him much more than any other, 
and had it been any other than Gawaine 
he should not have escaped from death 
to life : — said to himself, Alas, this is a 
great hurt to king Arthur's court, the 
loss of such a man. And then he de- 
parted, and came to the abbey where 
Galahad did the adventure of the 
tombs, and wan the white shield with 
the red cross, and there had he great 
cheer all that night. And on the morn 
he turned unto Camelot, where he 
found king Arthur and the queen. Eut 
many of the knights of the Round Table 
were slain and destroyed, more than 
half. And so three were come home, 
Ector, Gawaine, and Lionel, and many 
other that need not to be rehearsed. 



4o6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



And all the court was passing glad of 
Sir Launcelot ; and the king asked him 
many tidings of his son Galahad. And 
there Launcelot told the king of his 
adventures that had befallen him since 
he departed. And also he told him of 
the adventures of Galahad, Percivale, 
and Bors, which that he knew by the 
letter of the dead damsel, and as Gala- 
had had told him. Now, God would, 
said the king, that they were all tlii-ee 
here. That shall never be, said Laun- 
celot, for two of them shall ye never 
see, but one of them shall come again. 
■ Now leave we this story, and speak 
we of Galahad. 

CHAP. XVIIL 

How Galahad came to king Mordrains, 
and of other matters and adventtires. 
Now saith the story that Galahad 
rode many journeys in vain. And at 
the last he came to the abbey where 
king Mordrains was, and when he heard 
that, he .thought he would abide to see 
him. And upon the morn, when he had 
heard mass, Galahad came unto king 
Hordrains, and anon the king saw him, 
the which had lain blind of long time. 
And then he dressed him against him, 
and said, Galahad, the servant of Jesu 
Christ, whose coming I have abiden so 
long, now embrace me, and let me rest 
on thy breast, so that I may rest between 
thine arms, for thou art a clean virgin 
above all knights, as the flower of the 
lily, in whom virginity is signified, and 
thou art the rose, the which is the flower \ 
of all good virtue, and in colour of fire. I 
For the fire of the Holy Ghost is taken 
so in thee, that my flesh, which was all \ 
dead of oldness, is become young again. ; 
'When Galahad heard his words, then t 
he embraced him and all his body. 
Then said he. Fair Lord Jesu Christ, 
now I have my will, now I require thee 
in this point that I am in, thou come 
iind visit me. And anon our Lord 
heard his prayer. Therewith the soul 
departed from the body. And then 
Galahad put him in the earth as a king 
ought to be : and so departed, and came 
into a perilous forest, where he found 



the well the , which boiled with great 
waves, as the tale telleth tofore. And 
as soon as Galahad set his hand thereto 
it ceased, so that it burnt no more, and 
the heat departed : for that it burnt it 
was a sign of lust ; but that heat might 
not abide his pure virginity. And this 
was taken in the countiy for a miracle, 
and so ever after was it called Gala- 
had's well. Then by adventure he came 
into the country of Gore, and into the 
abbey where Sir Launcelot had been 
toforehand, and found the tomb of king 
Bagdemagus (but was founder thereof 
Joseph of Armathie's son) and the 
tomb of Simeon where Launcelot had 
failed. Then he looked into a croft 
under the minster, and there he saw 
a tomb which burnt full marvellously. 
Then asked he the brethren what it was V 
Sir, said they, a marvellous adventure 
that may not be brought unto none end, 
but by him that passeth of bounty and 
of knighthood all them of the Round 
Table. I would, said Galahad, that ye 
would lead me thereto. Gladly, said 
they : and so led him till a cave ; and 
he went down upon steps and came 
nigh the tomb, and then the flaming 
failed and the fire staunched, the which 
many a day had been great. Then 
came there a voice that said. Much are 
ye beholden to thank our Lord, the 
which hath given }'ou a good hour, that 
ye may draw out the souls of earthly 
pain, and to put them into the joys of 
paradise. I am of your kindred, the 
which have dwelled in this heat this 
three hundred winter and four and 
fifty, to be purged of the sin that I 
did against Joseph of Armathie. Then 
Galahad took the body in his arms, and 
bear it into the minster. And that 
night lay Galahad in the abbey : and on 
the morn he gave him service, and put 
him in the earth, afore the high altar. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How Sir Percivale atid Sir Bors met with 
Sir Galahad, and how they came to the 
castle of Carbonek, and other matters. 
So departed he from thence, and com- 
mended the brethren to God. And so 



OF GALAHAD AND HIS FELLOWS. 



407 



he rode five days till that he came to 
the maimed king, and ever followed 
Percivale the five days, asking where he 
had been, and so one told him how the 
adventures of Logris were achieved. So 
on a day it befell that they came out 
of a great forest, and there they met 
at travers with Sir Bors, the which rode 
alone. It is no need to tell if they 
were glad, and them he saluted, and 
they yielded him honour and good ad- 
venture ; and every each told other. Then 
said Bors, It is more than a year and a 
half that I ne lay ten times where men 
dwelled, but in wild forests and in 
mountains, but God was ever my com- 
fort. 

Then rode they a great while till 
that they came to the castle of Carbonek. 
And when they were entered within the 
castle king Pelles knew them. Then 
there was great joy, for they wist well 
by their coming that they had fulfilled 
the quest of the Sancgreal. Then Eliazar, 
king Pelles' son, brought afore them the 
broken sword wherewith Joseph was 
stricken through the thigh. Then Bors 
set his hand thereto, if he might have 
soldered it again, but it would not be. 
Then he took it to Percivale, but he 
had no more power thereto than he. 
Now have ye it again, said Percivale to 
Galahad, for and it be ever achieved by 
one bodily man, ye must do it. And 
then took he the pieces and set them 
together, and they seemed that they 
had never been broken, and as well as 
it had been first forged. And when 
they within espied that the adventure of 
the sword was achieved, then they gave 
the sword to Bors, for it might not be 
better set, for he was a good knight, and 
a worthy man. And a little afore even 
the sword arose great and marvellous, 
and was full of great heat, that many 
men fell for dread. And anon alight a 
voice among them, and said, They that 
ought not to sit at the table of Jesu 
Christ arise, for now shall very knights 
be fed. So they went thence all save 
king Pelles and Eliazar his son, the 
which were holy men, and a maid which 
was his niece. And so these three 



fellows and they three were there; no 
more. Anon they saw knights all armed 
come in at the hall door, and did off 
their helms and their anus, and said unto 
Galahad, Sir, we have hied right much 
for to be with you at this table, where 
the holy meat shall be parted. Then said 
he. Ye be welcome : but of whence be 
ye ? So three of them said they were of 
Gaul, and other three said they were of 
Ireland, and the other three said they 
were of Denmark. So as they sat thus, 
there came out a bed of tree of a chamber, 
the which four gentlewomen brought, 
and in the bed lay a good man sick, and 
a crown of gold upon his head; and 
there in the midst of the place they set 
him down, and went again their way. 
Then he lift up his head and said, Gala- 
had, knight, ye be welcome, for much 
have I desired your coming, for in such 
pain and in such anguish I have been 
long. But now I trust to God the 
term is come that my pain shall be 
allayed, that I shall pass out of this 
world, so as it was promised me long 
ago. Therewith a voice said. There be 
two among you that be not in the quest 
of the Sancgreal, and therefore depart 
ye. 

CHAP. XX. 
How Galahad and his fellows were fed of 
the holy Sangreal, and how our Lord 
appeared to them, and other things. 

Then king Pelles and his son de- 
parted. And therewithal beseemed them 
that there came a man and four angels 
from heaven, clothed in likeness of a 
bishop, and had a cross in his hand, and 
these four angels bare him up in a chair, 
and set him down before the table of 
silver whereupon the Sancgreal was, and 
it seemed that he had in midst of his 
forehead letters that said. See ye here 
Joseph the first bishop of Christendom, 
the same which our Lord succoured in 
the city of Sarras, in the spiritual place. 
Then the knights marvelled, for that 
bishop was dead more than three hun- 
dred year tofore. Oh knights, said he, 
marvel not, for I was sometime an 
earthly man. With that they heard the 



4o8 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



chamber door open, and there they saw 
angels, and two bare candles of wax, 
and the third a towel, and the fourth a 
spear which bled marvellously, that 
three drops fell within a box which he 
held with his other hand. And they 
set the candles upon the table, and the 
third the towel upon the vessel, and. 
the fourth the holy spear even upright 
upon the vessel. And then the bishop 
made semblant as though he would have 
gone to the sacring of the mass. And 
then he took an ubbly, which was made 
in likeness of bread ; and at the lifting 
up there came a figure in likeness of a 
child, and the visage was as red and 
as bright as any fire, and smote him- 
self into the bread, so that they all 
saw it, that the bread was formed of a 
fleshly man, and then he put it into the 
holy vessel again. And then he did 
that longed to a priest to do to a mass. 
And then he went to Galahad and kissed 
him, and bad him go and kiss his fel- 
lows, and so he did anon. Now, said 
he, servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be 
fed afore this table with sweet meats, 
that never knights tasted. And when 
he had said, he vanished away ; and they 
set them at the table in great dread, and 
made their prayers. Then looked they, 
and saw a man come out of the holy 
vessel, that had all the signs of the 
passion of Jesu Christ, bleeding all 
openly, and said. My knights and my 
servants and my true children, which be 
come out of deadly life into spiritual 
life, I will now no longer hide me from 
you, but ye shall see now a part of my 
secrets and of my hid things : now hold 
and receive the high meat which ye have 
so much desired. Then took he him- 
self the holy vessel, and came to Gala- 
had, and he kneeled down and there he 
received his Saviour, and after him so 
received all his fellows ; and they thought 
it so sweet that it was marvellous to 
tell. Then said he to Galahad, Son, 
wotest thou what I hold betwixt my 
hands ? Nay, said he, but if ye vi^ill tell 
me. This is, said he, the holy dish 
wherein I ate the lamb on Sher-thursday. 
And now hast thou seen that thou 



most desiredst to see, but yet hast 
thou not seen it so openly as thou 
shalt see it in the city of Sarras, in the 
spiritual place. Therefore thou must 
go hence, and bear with thee this holy 
vessel, for this night it shall depart from 
the realm of Logris, that it shall never 
be seen more here, and wotest thou 
wherefore ? for he is not served nor 
worshipped to his right, by them of 
this land, for they be turned to evil 
living, therefore I shall disherit them 
of the honour which I have done them. 
And therefore go ye three to-morrow 
unto the sea, where ye shall find your 
ship ready, and with you take the sword 
with the strange girdles, and no more 
with you, but Sir Percivale and Sir 
Bors. Also I will that ye take with 
you of the blood of this spear, for to 
anoint the maimed king, both his legs 
and all his body, and he shall have his 
health. Sir, said Galahad, why shall 
not these other fellows go with us? — 
For this cause, for right as I departed 
mine apostles, one here and another 
there, so I will that ye depart. And 
two of you shall die in my service, but 
one of you shall come again, and tell 
tidings. Then gave he them his bless- 
ing and vanished away. 

CHAP. XXI. 

How Galahad anointed with the blood of 
the spear the maimed king, and other 
adventures. 

And Galahad went anon to the spear 
which lay upon the table, and touched 
the blood with his fingers, and came 
after to the maimed king, and anointed 
his legs. And therewith he clothed him 
anon, and start upon his feet out of his 
bed as an whole man, and thanked our 
Lord that he had healed him. And that 
was not to the world-ward, for anon he 
yield him to a place of religion of 
white monks, and was a full holy man. 
That same night, about midnight came 
a voice among them, which said, My 
sons and not my chieftains, my friends 
and not my warriors, go ye hence, where 
ye hope best to do, and as I bad you. — 



CHAP. XXII. HOW THEY WERE FED WITH THE SANCGREAL. 



4C9 



Ah, thanked be thou, Lord, that thou 
wilt vouchsafe to call us thy sinners. 
Now may we well prove that we have 
not lost our pains. 

And anon in all haste they took their 
harness and departed. But the three 
knights of Gaul, one of them hight 
Claudine, king Claudas' son, and the 
other two were great gentlemen. Then 
prayed Galahad to eveiy each of them, 
that if they come to king Arthur's court, 
that they should salute my lord Sir 
Launcelot my father, and of them of the 
Round Table, and prayed them if that 
they came on that part that they should 
not forget it. Right so departed Gala- 
had, Percivale, and Bors with him. 
And so they rode three days, and. then 
they came to a rivage, and found the 
ship whereof the tale speaketh of tofore. 
And when they came to the board, they 
found in the midst the table of silver 
which they had left with the maimed 
king, and the Sancgreal, which was 
covered with red samite. Then were 
they glad to have such things in their 
fellowship, and so they entered, and 
made great reverence thereto, and Ga- 
lahad fell in his prayer long time to our 
Lord, that, at what time he asked, that 
he should pass out of this world: so 
much he prayed, till a voice said to 
him, Galahad, thou shalt have thy re- 
quest, and when thou askest the death 
of thy body thou shalt have it, and then 
shalt thou find the life of the soul. 
Percivale heard this, and prayed him of 
fellowship that was between them, to 
tell him wherefore he asked such things. 
That shall I tell you, said Galahad : the 
other day when we saw a part of the 
adventures of the Sancgreal, I was in 
such a joy of heart that I trow never 
man was that was earthly, and therefore 
I wot well when my body is dead my 
soul shall be in great joy to see the 
blessed Trinity every day, and the ma- 
jesty of our Lord Jesu Christ. So long 
were they in the ship that they said to 
Galahad, Sir, in this bed ought ye to 
lie, for so saith the scripture. And so 
he laid him down and slept a great 
while. And when he awaked he looked 



afore him, and saw the city of Sarras. 
And as they would have landed, they 
saw the ship wherein Percivale had put 
his sister in. Truly, said Percivale, in 
the name of God, well hath my sister 
holden us covenant. Then took they 
out of the ship the table of silver, and 
he took it to Percivale and to Bors to 
go tofore, and Galahad came behind, 
and right so they went to the city, and 
at the gate of the city they saw an old 
man crooked. Then Galahad called 
him, and bad him help to bear this 
heavy thing. Truly, said the old man, 
it is ten year ago that I might not go 
but with crutches. Care thou not, said 
Galahad, and arise up and shew thy 
good will. And so he assayed, and 
found himself as whole as ever he was. 
Then ran he to the table, and took one 
part against Galahad. And anon arose 
there great noise in the city, that a 
cripple was made whole by knights 
marvellous that entered into the city. 
Then anon after, the three knights went 
to the water, and brought up into the 
palace Percivale's sister, and buried her 
as richly as a king's daughter ought to 
be. And when the king of the city, 
which was cleped Estorause, saw the 
fellowship, he asked them of whence 
they were, and what thing it was that 
they had brought upon the table of 
silver. And they told him the truth of 
the Sancgreal, and the power which 
that God had set there. Then the king 
was a tyrant, and was come of the line 
of paynims, and took them, and put 
them in prison in a deep hole. 

CHAP. xxn. 

How they were fed with the Sangreal while 
they were in priaon, and how Galahad 
was made king. 

But as soon as they were there, our 
Lord sent them the Sancgreal, through 
whose grace they were alway fulfilled 
while that they were in prison. So at 
the year's end it befell that this king 
Estorause lay sick, and felt that he 
should die. Then he sent for the three 
knights, and they came afore him, and 



4IO 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



he cried them mercy of that he had 
done to them, and they forgave it him 
goodly, and he died anon. When the 
king was dead, all the city was dis- 
mayed, and wist not who might be their 
king. Right so as they were in counsel, 
there came a voice among them, and 
bad them choose the youngest knight of 
them three to be their king, for he shall 
well maintain you and all yours. So 
they made Galahad king by all the 
assent of the whole city, and else they 
would have slain him. And when he 
was come to behold the land, he let 
make about the table of silver a 
chest of gold and of precious stones 
that covered the holy vessel, and every 
day early the three fellows would come 
afore it and make their prayers. Now 
at the year's end, and the self day after 
Galahad had borne the crown of gold, 
he arose up early, and his fellows, and 
came to the palace, and saw tofore them 
the holy vessel, and a man kneeling 
on his knees, in likeness of a bishop, 
that had about him a great fellowship 
of angels, as it had been Jesu Christ 
himself. And then he arose and began 
a mass of Our Lady. And when he came 
to the sacrament of the mass, and had 
done, anon he called Galahad, and said 
to him. Come forth, the servant of Jesu 
Christ, and thou shalt see that thou 
hast much desired to see. And then he 
began to tremble right hard, when the 
deadly flesh began to behold the spi- 
ritual things. Then he held up his 
hands toward heaven, and said, Lord, 
I thank thee, for now I see that that 
hath been my desire many a day. Now, 
blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if 
it might please thee Lord, And there- 
with the good man took our Lord's 
body betwixt his hands, and proffered it 
to Galahad, and he received it right 
gladly and meekly. Now, wotest thou 
what I am ? said the good man. Nay, 
said Galahad. — I am Joseph of Ar- 
mathie, which our Lord hath sent here 
to thee to bear thee fellowship. And 
wotest thou wherefore that he hath 
sent me more than any other? For 
thou hast resembled me in two things, 



in that thou hast seen the marvels of 
the Sancgreal, and in that thou hast 
been a clean maiden, as I have been and 
am. And when he had said these 
words, Galahad went to Percivale and 
kissed him, and commanded him to 
God. And so he went to Sir Bors and 
kissed him, and commanded him to 
God, and said, Fair lord, salute me to 
my lord Sir Launcelot, my father, and 
as soon as ye see him bid him remember 
of this unstable world. And therewith 
he kneeled down tofore the table and 
made his prayers, and then suddenly 
his soul departed to Jesu Christ, and a 
great multitude of angels bare his soul 
up to heaven, that the two fellows 
might well behold it. Also the two 
fellows saw come from heaven an hand, 
but they saw not the body ; and then it 
came right to the vessel, and took it and 
the spear, and so bare it up to heaven, 
Sithen was there never man so hardy to 
say that he had seen the Sancgreal. 

CHAP. XXIII. 

Of the sorrow that Percivale and Bors 
tnade when Galahad was dead; and 
of Percivale how be died, and other 
matters. 

When Percivale and Bors saw Gala- 
had dead, they made as much sorrow 
as ever did two men : and if they had 
not been good men they might lightly 
have fallen in despair. And the people 
of the country and of the city were 
right heavy. And then he was buried. 
And as soon as he was buried, Sir Perci- 
vale yielded him to an hermitage out of 
the city, and took a religious clothing ; 
and Bors was alway with him, but 
never changed he his secular clothing, 
for that he purposed him to go again 
into the realm of Logris. Thus a year 
and two months lived Sir Percivale in 
the hermitage a full holy life, and then 
passed out of this world. And Bors let 
bury him by his sister and by Galahad 
in the spiritualties. When Bors saw 
that he was in so far countries as in 
the parts of Babylon, he departed from 
Sarras, and armed him, and came to the 



CHAP. I. THE END OF THE QUEST OF THE SANCGREAL, 



411 



sea, and entered into a ship, and so it 
befell him in good adventure he came 
into the realm of Logris. And he rode 
so fast till he came to Camelot where 
the king was. And then was there 
great joy made of him in the court, 
for they wend all he had been dead, 
forasmuch as he had been so long out 
of the country. And when they had 
eaten, the king made great clerks to 
come afore him, that they should 
chronicle of the high adventures of the 
good knights. When Bors had told 
him of the adventures of the Sancgreal, 
such as had befallen him and his three 
fellows, that was Launcelot, Percivale, 
Galahad and himself. There Launcelot 
told the adventures of the Sancgreal 
that he had seen. All this was made 
in great books, and put in almeries at 
Salisbury. And anon Sir Bors said to 
Sir Launcelot, Galahad your own son 



saluted you by me, and after you king 
Arthur, and all the court, and so did Sir 
Percivale : for I buried them with mine 
own hands in the city of Sarras. Also, 
Sir Launcelot, Galahad prayeth you to 
remember of this uncertain world, as ye 
behight him when ye were together 
more than half a year. This is true, 
said Launcelot ; now I tnist to God his 
prayer shall avail me. Then Launcelot 
took Sir Bors in his arms, and said, 
Gentle cousin, ye are right welcome to 
me, and all that ever I may do for you 
and for yours, ye shall find my poor 
body ready at all times whiles the spirit 
is in it, and that I promise you faith- 
fully, and never to fail. And wit ye 
well, gentle cousin Sir Bors, that ye and 
I will never depart in sunder whilst our 
lives may last. Sir, said he, I will as 
ye will. 



Zijn^ entictj^ tj^t^torg of t^t <^ancgrcal tljat toas brcuclg tirahjcn 
outc of dPren^^j^e in to iEnglg^^j^e, tj^e Mjidje is; a gtorg crongclflj for 
one of tj^c truest antj tj^e j^olge^t tjjat ig in tljg^ tuorlD, t])t Mjicij i^ 
t^c x\)ii tioofe. 

^nS) \jcxz folofectj^ tf}t cgg^tcnti) tioofe. 



®:6e lEigl^teentS 33ooft. 



CHAP. I. 

0/ the joy of king Arthur and the queen 
had of the achiev2ine7it of the Sangreal ; 
and how Launcelot fell to his old love 
again. 

So after the quest of the Sancgreal 
was fulfilled, and all knights that were 
left on live were come again unto the 
Table Round, as the book of the Sanc- 
greal maketh mention, then was there 
great joy in the court, and in especial 
king Arthur and queen Guenever made 
great joy of the remnant tliat were come 
home, and passing glad was the king 



and the queen of Sir Launcelot and of 
Sir Bors. For they had been passing 
long away in the quest of the Sancgreal. 
Then, as the book saith, Sir Launcelot 
began to resort unto queen Guenever 
again, and forgat the promise and the 
perfection that he made in the quest. 
P'or, as the book saith, had not Sir 
Launcelot been in his pri\7 thoughts 
and in his mind so set inwardly to the 
queen, as he was in seeming outward to 
God, there had no knight passed him 
in the quest of the Sancgreal : but ever 
his thoughts were privily on the queen, 
and so they loved together more hotter 



412 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVIII. 



than they did toforehand, that many in 
the court spake of it, and in especial Sir 
Agravaine, Sir Gawaine's brother, for 
he was ever open mouthed. So befell 
that Sir Launcelot had many resorts of 
ladies and damsels, that daily resorted 
unto him, that besought him to be their 
champion. And in all such matters of 
right Sir Launcelot appealed him daily 
to do for the pleasure of our Lord Jesu 
Christ. And ever as much as he might 
he w^ithdrew him from the company 
and fellowship of queen Guenever, for 
to eschew the slander and noise : where- 
fore the queen waxed wroth with Sir 
Launcelot, and upon a day she called 
Sir Launcelot unto her chamber, and 
said thus : Sir Launcelot, I see and feel 
daily that thy love beginneth to slake, 
for thou hast no joy to be in my pre- 
sence, but ever thou art out of this 
court, and quarrels and matters thou 
hast now adays for ladies and gentle- 
women, more than ever thou were wont 
to have aforehand. Ah, madam, said 
Launcelot, in this ye must hold me 
excused for divers causes. One is, I 
was but late in the quest of the Sanc- 
greal, and I thank God, of his great 
mercy, and never of my deserving, that 
I saw in that my quest as much as ever 
saw any sinful man, and so was it told 
me. And if I had not had my privy 
thoughts to return to your love again 
as I do, I had seen as great mysteries as 
ever saw my son Galahad, or Percivale, 
or Sir Bors, and therefore, madam, I 
was but late in that quest. Wit ye well, 
madam, it may not be yet lightly for- 
gotten the high service in whom I did 
my diligent labour. Also, madam, wit 
ye well that there be many men speak 
of our love in this court, and have you 
and me greatly in a wait, as Sir Agra- 
vaine, and Sir Mordred: and, madam, 
wit ye well, I dread them more for your 
sake than for any fear that I have of 
them myself, for I may happen to es- 
cape and rid myself in a great need, 
where ye must abide all that will be 
said unto you. And then if that ye fall 
in any distress through wilful folly, then 
is there none other remedy or help but 



by me and my blood. And wit ye well, 
madam, the boldness of you and me will 
bring us to great shame and slander, 
and that were me loth to see you dis- 
honoured. And that is the cause that 
I take upon me more for to do for 
damsels and maidens than ever I did 
tofore, that men should understand my 
joy and my delight is my pleasure to 
have ado for damsels and maidens. 

CHAP. IL 

How the qveen commanded Sir Launcelot 
to avoid the cozirt, and of the sorrow 
that Launcelot made. 

All this while the queen stood still, 
and let Sir Launcelot say what he 
would. And when he had all said, she 
brast out on weeping, and so she sobbed 
and wept a great while : and when she 
might speak, she said, Launcelot, now 
I well understand that thou art a false 
recreant knight, and lovest and boldest 
other ladies, and by me thou hast dis- 
dain and scorn. For wit thou well, she 
said, now I understand thy falsehood, 
and therefore shall I never love thee no 
more, and never be thou so hardy to 
come in my sight ; and right here 1 dis- 
charge thee this court, that thou never 
come within it, and I forfend thee my 
fellowship, and upon pain of thy head 
that thou see me no more. Right so 
Sir Launcelot departed with great hea- 
viness, that hardly he might sustain 
himself for great dole making. Then 
he called Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, 
and Sir Lionel, and told them how the 
queen had forfend him the court, and 
so he was in will to depart into his own 
country. Fair sir, said Sir Bors de 
Ganis, ye shall not depart out of this 
land by mine advice ; ye must remember 
in what honour ye are renowned, and 
called the noblest knight of the world, 
and many great matters ye have in hand, 
and women in their hastiness will do 
oflimes that sore repenteth them, and 
therefore by mine advice ye shall take 
your horse, and ride to the good her- 
mitage here beside Windsor, that some- 
time was a good knight, his name is Sir 



HOW THE QUEEN MADE A DINNER. 



413 



Brasias, and there shall ye abide till I | 
send you word of better tidings. Bro- j 
ther, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well I j 
am full loth to depart out of this realm, j 
but the queen hath defended me so \ 
highly that me seemeth she will never 
be my good lady as she hath been. Say 
ye never so, said Sir Bors, for many 
times or this time she hath been wroth 
with you, and after it she was the first 
that repented it. Ye say well, said 
Launcelot, for now will I do by your 
counsel, and take mine horse and my 
harness, and ride to the hermit Sir 
Brasias, and there will I repose me 
until I hear some manner of tidings 
from you. But, fair brother, I pray you 
get me the love of my lady queen Gue- 
never, and ye may. Sir, said Sir Bors, 
ye need not to move me of such mat- 
ters, for well ye wot I will do what I 
may to please you. And then the noble 
knight Sir Launcelot departed with right 
heavy cheer, suddenly, that none earthly 
creature wist of him, nor where he was 
become, but Sir Bors. So when Sir 
Launcelot was departed, the queen made 
no manner of sorrow in shewing, to none 
of his blood, nor to none other : but, wit 
ye M^ell, inwardly, as the book saith, she 
took great thought, but she bare it out 
with a proud^ countenance, as though 
she felt nothing nor danger. 

CHAP. in. 

How at a dinner that the queen made 
there was a knight poisoned, which 
Sir Mador laid on the q7ieeti. 

And then the queen let make a privy 
dinner in London unto the knights of 
the Round Table. And all was for to 
show outward that she had as great joy 
in all other knights of the Table Round 
as she had in Sir Launcelot. All only 
at that dinner she had Sir Gawaine and 
his brethren, that is to say. Sir Agra- 
vaine. Sir Gaheris, Sir Gareth, and Sir 
Mordred, Also there was Sir Bors de 
Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, Sir Bleo- 
beris de Ganis, Sir Galihud, Sir Gali- 
hodin. Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, 
Sir Palamides, Sir Safere his brother, 



Sir La Cote Male Taile, Sir Persant, Sir 
Ironside, Sir Brandiles, Sir Kay le Sene- 
schal, Sir Mador de la Porte, Sir Patrise, 
a knight of Ireland, Aliduk, Sir Asto- 
more, and Sir Pinel le Savage, the which 
was cousin to Sir Lamorak de Galis, the 
good knight that Sir Gawaine and his 
brethren slew by treason. And so these 
four and twenty knights shoidd dine 
with the queen in a privy place by 
themselves, and there was made a great 
feast of all manner of dainties. But 
Sir Gawaine had a custom that he used 
daily at dinner and at supper, that he 
loved well all manner of fruit, and in 
especial apples and pears. And there- 
fore, whosoever dined or feasted Sir Ga- 
waine would commonly purvey for good 
fruit for him ; and so did the queen for 
to please Sir Gawaine, she let purvey 
for him of all manner of fruit, for Sir 
Gawaine was a passing hot knight of 
nature. And this Pinel hated Sir Ga- 
waine because of his kinsman Sir Lamo- 
rak de Galis, and therefore for pure envy 
and hate Sir Pinel enpoisoned ceitain 
apples, for to enpoison Sir Gawaine. 
And so this was well unto the end of 
the meat : and so it befell by misfor- 
tune a good knight named Patrise, 
cousin unto Sir Mador de la Porte, to 
to take a poisoned apple. And when 
he had eaten it he swelled so till he 
brast, and there Sir Patrise fell down 
suddenly dead among them. Then every 
knight lept from the board ashamed and 
araged for wrath, nigh out of their wits. 
For they wist not what to say : con- 
sidering queen Guenever made the feast 
and dinner, they all had suspicion unto 
her. My lady, the queen, said Gawaine, 
wit ye well, madam, that this dinner 
was made for me: for all folks that 
know my conditions understand that I 
love well fruit, and now I see well I had 
near been slain; therefore, madam, I 
dread lest ye will be shamed. Then the 
queen stood still, and was sore abashed, 
that he nist not what to say. This shall 
not so be ended, said Sir Mador de la 
Porte, for here have I lost a full noble 
knight of my blood, and therefore upon 
this shame and despite I will be revenged 



4H 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK xvni. 



to the utterance. And there openly Sir 
Mador appealed the queen of the death 
of his cousin Sir Patrise. Then stood 
they all still, that none of them would 
speak a word against him. For they 
had a great suspicion unto the queen 
because she let make that dinner. And 
the queen was so abashed that she could 
none other ways do but wept so heartily 
that she fell in a swoon. With this 
noise and cry came to them king Arthur. 
And when he wist of that trouble, he 
was a passing heavy man. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Mador appeached the queen of 
treason, and there was no knight would 
Jight for her at the first time. 

And ever Sir Mador stood still afore 
the king, and ever he appealed the 
queen of treason : for the custom was 
such that time that all manner of shame- 
ful death was called treason. Fair lords, 
said king Arthur, me repenteth of this 
trouble, but the case is so I may not 
have ado in this matter, for I must be a 
rightful judge, and that repenteth me 
that I may not do battle for my wife : 
for, as I deem, this deed came never by 
her, and therefore I suppose she shall 
not be all distained, but that some good 
knight shall put his body in jeopardy, 
rather than she shall be burnt in 
a wrong quarrel. And therefore, Sir 
Mador, be not so hasty, for it may hap- 
pen she shall not be all friendless, and 
therefore desire thou thy day of battle, 
and she shall purvey her of some good 
knight that shall answer you, or else it 
were to me great shame, and to all my 
court. My gracious lord, said Sir Ma- 
dor, ye must hold me excused, for 
though ye be our king in that degree, ye 
are but a knight as we are, and ye are 
sworn unto knighthood as well as we, 
and therefore I beseech you that ye be 
not displeased. For there is none of 
the four and twenty knights that were 
bidden to this dinner but all they have 
great suspicion unto the queen. What 
say ye all, my lords ? said Sir Mador. 
Then they answered by and by that 



they could not excuse the queen, for 
why she made the dinner, and either it 
must come by her or by her servants. 
Alas, said the queen, I made this dinner 
for a good intent, and never for none 
evil ; so Almighty God help me in my 
right as I was never purposed to do 
such evil deeds, and that I report me 
unto God. My lord the king, said Sir 
Mador, I require you, as ye be a righteous 
king, give me a day that I may have jus- 
tice. Well, said tlie king, I give the day 
this day fifteen days, that thou be ready 
armed on horseback in the meadow 
beside Westminster. And if it so fall 
that there be any knight to encounter 
with you, there mayest thou do the best, 
and God speed the right. And if it so 
fall that there be no knight at that day, 
then must my queen be burnt, and there 
shall she be ready to have her judgment. 
I am answered, said Sir Mador ; and 
every knight went where it liked him. 
So when the king and the queen were 
together, the king asked the queen how 
this case befell ? The queen answered. 
So God me help I wot not how, nor in 
what manner. Where is Sir Launcelot ? 
said king Arthur, and he were here, he 
would not grudge to do battle for you. 
Sir, said the queen, I wot not where he 
is, but his brother and his kinsmen deem 
that he is not within this realm. That 
me repenteth, said king Arthur, for and 
he were here he would soon stint this 
strife. Then I will counsel you, said 
the king, and unto Sir Bors — That 
ye will do battle for her for Sir Laun- 
celot's sake, — and upon my life he 
will not refuse you. For well I see, 
said the king, that none of these four 
and twenty knights that were with 
you at your dinner, where Sir Patrise 
was slain, will do battle for you, nor 
none of them will say well of you, and 
that shall be great slander for you in 
this court. Alas, said the queen, and I 
may not do withal, but now I miss Sir 
Launcelot, for and he were here he 
would put me soon to my heart's ease. 
What aileth you, said the king, ye can- 
not keep Sir Launcelot on your side? 
For, wit ye well, said the king, who that 



THE QUEEN'S DANGER OF DEATH. 



415 



hath Sir Launcelot upon his party hath 
the most man of worship in the world 
upon his side. Now go your way, said 
the king unto the queen, and require Sir 
Bors to do battle for you for Sir Laun- 
celot's sake. 

CHAP. V. 

How the queen required Sir Bors to fight 
for her, and boiu he granted upon con- 
dition ; and how he warned Sir Laun- 
celot thereof. 

So the queen departed from the king, 
and sent for Sir Bors into her chamber. 
And when he was come, she besought 
him of succour. Madam, said he, what 
would ye that I did, for I may not with 
my worship have ado in this matter, 
because I was at the same dinner, for 
dread that any of those knights would 
have me in suspicion. Also madam, 
said Sir Bors, now miss ye Sir Launce- 
lot, for he would not have failed you 
neither in right nor in wrong, as ye 
have well proved when ye have been in 
danger, and now ye have driven him out 
of this country, by whom ye and all we 
were daily worshipped by. Therefore, 
madam, 1 marvel me how ye dare for 
shame require me to do any thing for 
you, in so much ye have chased him 
out of your country, by whom we were 
borne up and honoured. Alas, fair 
knight, said the queen, I put me wholly 
in your grace, and all that is done amiss 
I will amend as ye will counsel me. 
And therewith she kneeled down upon 
both her knees, and besought Sir Bors 
to have mercy upon her, — or I shall 
have a shameful death, and thereto I 
never offended. Right so came king 
Arthur, and found the queen kneeling 
afore Sir Bors. Then Sir Bors pulled 
her up, and said. Madam, ye do to me 
great dishonour. Ah, gentle knight, said 
the king, have mercy upon my queen, 
courteous knight, for I am now in 
certain she is untruly defamed. And 
therefore, courteous knight, said the 
king, promise her to do battle for her : 
I require you, for the love of Sir Laun- 
celot. My lord, said Sir Bors, ye re- 



quire me the greatest thing that any 
man may require me ; and wit ye well, 
if I grant to do battle for the queen I 
shall wrath many of my fellowship of 
the Table Round ; but as for that, said 
Bors, I will grant my lord, for my lord 
Sir Launcelot's sake, and for your sake, 
I will at that day be the queen's cham- 
pion, unless that there come by adven- 
ture a better knight than I am to do 
battle for her. Will ye promise me this, 
said the king, by your faith? Yea sir, 
said Sir Bors, of that will I not fail you, 
nor her both, but if that there come a 
better knight than I am, and then shall he 
have the battle. Then was the king and 
the queen passing glad, and so departed, 
and thanked him heartily. So then Sir 
Bors departed secretly upon a day, and 
rode unto Sir Launcelot, there as he was 
with the hei-mit Sir Brasias, and told him 
of all their adventure. Ah, said Sir 
Launcelot, this is come happily as I 
would have it, and therefore I pray you 
make you ready to do battle, but look 
that ye tarry till ye see me come, as long 
as ye may. For I am sure Mador is an 
hot knight, when he is enchafed, for the 
more ye suffer him, the hastier will he 
be to battle. Sir, said Bors, let me deal 
with him ; doubt ye not ye shall have 
all your will. Then departed Sir Bors 
from him, and came to the court again. 
Then was it noised in all the court that 
Sir Bors should do battle for the queen : 
wherefore many knights were displeased 
with him, that he would take upon him 
to do battle in the queen's quarrel, for 
there were but few knights in the court 
but they deemed the queen was in the 
wrong, and that she had done that trea- 
son. So Sir Bors answered thus unto 
his fellows of the Table Round : Wit ye 
well, my fair lords, it were shame to us 
all, and we suffered to see the most noble 
queen of the world to be shamed openly, 
considering her lord and our lord is the 
man of most worship in the world, and 
most christened, and he hath ever wor- 
shipped us all, in all places. Many 
answered him again:- As for our most 
noble king Arthur, we love him and 
honour him as well as ye do ; but as for 



4i6 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



queen Guenever we love her not, because 
she is a destroyer of good knights. Fair 
lords, said Sir Bors, me seemeth ye say 
not as ye should say, for never yet in 
my days knew I never, nor heard say, 
tliat ever she was a destroyer of any 
good knight : but at all times, as far as 
1 ever could know, she was always a 
maintainer of good knights, and always 
she hath been large and free of her 
goods to all good knights, and the most 
bounteous lady of her gifts and her good 
grace that ever I saw or heard speak of. 
And therefore it were shame, said Sir 
Bors, to us all to our most noble king's 
wife, and we suffered her to be shamefully 
slain. And wit ye well, said Sir Bors, 
I will not suffer it, for I dare say so 
much, the queen is not guilty of Sir 
Patrise's death, for she owed him never 
none ill will, nor none of the four and 
twenty knights that were at that dinner ; 
for I dare say for good love she bad us 
to dinner, and not for no mal-engine; 
and that I doubt not shall be proved 
hereafter : for howsoever the game goeth, 
there was treason among us. Then 
some said to Sir Bors, We may well 
believe your words. And so some of 
them were well pleased, and some were 
not so. 

CHAP. VI. 

Hoiu at the day Sir Bors made him ready 
for to fight for the queen ; arid when 
he should fight how another discharged 
him. 

The day came on fast until the even 
that the battle should be. Then the 
queen sent for Sir Bors, and asked him 
how he was disposed. Truly madam, 
said he, I am disposed in likewise as 
I promised you ; that is for to say, I 
shall not fail you, unless by adventure 
there come a better knight than I am, to 
do the battle for you : then, madam, am 
I discharged of my promise. Will ye, 
said the queen, that I tell my lord 
Arthur thus? Do as it shall please 
}0U, madam. Then the queen went 
unto the king, and told him the answer 
of Sir Bors. Have ye no doubt, said 



the king, of Sir Bors, for I call him now 
one of the best knights of the world, 
and the most profitablest man. And 
thus it past on until the morn. And 
the king and the queen, and all man- 
ner of knights that were there at 
that time, drew them unto the meadow 
beside Westminster, where the battle 
should be. And so when the king was 
come with the queen, and many knights 
of the Round Table, then the queen 
was put there in the constable's ward, 
and a great fire made about an iron 
stake, that, and Sir Mador de la Porte 
had the better, she should be burnt. 
Such custom was used in those days, 
that neither for favour, neither for love, 
nor affinity, there should be none other 
but righteous judgment, as well upon 
a king as upon a knight, and as well 
upon a queen as upon another poor 
lady. So in this meanwhile came in 
Sir Mador de la Porte, and took his 
oath afore the king, That the queen 
did this treason until his cousin Sir 
Patrise, and unto his oath he would 
prove it with his body, hand for hand, 
who that would say the contrary. Right 
so came in Sir Bors de Ganis, and said, 
that as for queen Guenever, she is in 
the right, and that will I make good 
with my hands, that she is not culpable 
of this treason that is put upon her. 
Then make thee ready, said Sir Mador, 
and we shall prove whether thou be in 
the right or I. Sir Mador, said Sir Bors, 
wit thou well I know you for a good 
knight : not for then I shall not fear 
so greatly, but I trust to God I shall 
be able to withstand your malice: but 
thus much have I promised my lord 
Arthur, and my lady the queen, that I 
shall do battle for her in this case to 
the uttermost, unless that there come 
a better knight than I am, and dis- 
charge me. Is that all, said Sir Mador, 
either come thou off and do battle with 
me, or else say nay. Take your horse, 
said Sir Bors, and, as I suppose, ye 
shall not tarry long, but ye shall be 
answered. Then either departed to their 
tents, and made them ready to horseback 
as they thought best. And anon Sir 



SIR LAUNCELOT FIGHTS FOR THE QUEEN. 



417 



Mador came into the field with his 
shield on his shoulder, and his spear 
in his hand. And so rode about the 
place, crying unto king Arthur, Bid 
your champion come forth and he 
dare ! Then was Sir Bors ashamed, 
and took his horse and came to the 
lists' end. And then was he ware where 
came from a wood there fast by a 
knight, all armed upon a white horse, 
with a strange shield of strange arms, 
and he came riding all that he might 
run. And so he came to Sir Bors, and 
said, Fair knight, I pray you be not 
displeased, for here must a better knight 
than ye are have this battle ; therefore I 
pray you withdraw you. For wit ye 
well I have had this day a right great 
journey, and this battle ought to be 
mine, and so I promised you when I 
spake with you last, and with all my 
heart I thank you of your good will. 
Then Sir Bors rode unto king Arthur, 
and told him how there was a knight 
come that would have the battle for to 
fight for the queen. What knight is he ? 
said the king. I wot not, said Sir Bors, 
but such covenant he made with me to 
be here this day. Now my lord, said 
Sir Bors, here am I discharged. 

CHAP. VII. 

How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir 
Mador for the queen, and hoiu he over- 
came Sir Mador and discharged the 
queen. 

Then the king called to that knight, 
and asked him if he would fight for the 
queen. Then he answered to the king. 
Therefore came I hither, and therefore. 
Sir king, he said, tarry me no longer, 
for I may not tarry. For anon as I 
have finished this battle I must depart 
hence, for I have ado many matters 
elsewhere. For wit you well, said that 
knight, this is dishonour to you all 
knights of the Round Table, to see and 
know so noble a lady, and so courteous 
a queen, as queen Guenever is, thus to 
be rebuked and shamed amongst you. 
Then they all marvelled what knight 
that might be that so took the battle 



upon him, for there was not one that 
knew him, but if it were Sir Bors. 
Then said Sir Mador de la Porte unto 
the king. Now let me wit with whom 
I shall have ado withal. And then they 
rode to the lists' end, and there they 
couched their spears, and ran together 
with all their mights. And Sir Mador's 
spear brake all to pieces, but the other's 
spear held, and bare Sir Mador's horse 
and all backward to the earth a great 
fall. But mightily and suddenly he 
avoided his horse, and put his shield 
afore him, and then drew his sword, 
and bad the other knight alight and do 
battle with him on foot. Then that 
knight descended from his horse lightly 
like a valiant man, and put his shield 
afore him, and drew his sword, and so 
they came eagerly unto battle, and 
either gave other many great strokes, 
tracing and traversing, rasing and foin- 
ing, and hurtling together with their 
swords, as it were wild boars. Thus 
were they fighting nigh an hour, for 
this Sir Mador was a strong knight, and 
mightily proved in many strong battles. 
But at last this knight smote Sir Mador 
groveling upon the earth, and the 
knight stept near him to have pulled 
Sir Mador flatling upon the ground; 
and therewith suddenly Sir Mador arose, 
and in his rising he smote that knight 
through the thick of the thighs, that 
the blood ran out fiercely. And when 
he felt himself so wounded, and saw his 
blood, he let him arise upon his feet; 
and then he gave him such a buffet 
upon the helm that he fell to the earth 
flatling, and therewith he strode to him 
for to have pulled off his helm off his 
head. And then Sir Mador prayed that 
knight to save his life, and so he yielded 
him as overcome, and released the 
queen of his quarrel. I will not grant 
thee thy life, said that knight, only that 
thou freely release the queen for ever, 
and that no mention be made upon 
Sir Patrise's tomb that ever queen 
Guenever consented to that treason. 
All this shall be done, said Sir Mador, 
I clearly discharge my quarrel for ever. 
Then the knights parters of the lists 



27 



4i8 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVIII. 



took up Sir Mador and led him to 
his tent. And the other knight went 
straight to the stair foot where sat king 
Arthur, and by that time was the queen 
come to the king, and either kissed 
other heartily. And when the king 
saw that knight, he stooped down to 
him and thanked him, and in likewise 
did the queen : and the king prayed 
him to put off his helmet, and to repose 
him, and to take a sop of wine, and 
then he put off his helm to drink, and 
then every knight knew him that it was 
Sir Launcelot du Lake. Anon as the 
king wist that, he took the queen in his 
hand, and went unto Sir Launcelot, and 
said, Sir, grant mercy of your great 
travail that ye have had this day for me 
and for my queen. My lord, said Sir 
Launcelot, wit ye well I ought of right 
ever to be in your quarrel, and in my 
lady the queen's quarrel to do battle, 
for ye are the man that gave me the 
high honour of knighthood, and that 
day my lady your queen did me great 
worship, and else I had been shamed; 
for that same day ye made me knight 
through my hastiness I lost my sword, 
and my lady your queen found it, and 
lapped it in her train, and gave me my 
sword when I had need thereto, and 
else had I been shamed among all 
knights. And therefore, my lord Arthur, 
I promised her at that day ever to be 
her knight in right or in wrong. Grant 
mercy, said king Arthur, for this journey, 
and wit ye well, said the king, I shall 
acquit your goodness. And ever the 
queen beheld Sir Launcelot, and wept 
so tenderly that she sank almost to the 
ground for sorrow that he had done to 
her so great goodness, where she shewed 
him great unkindness. Then the knights 
of his blood drew unto him, and there 
either of them made great joy of other. 
And so came all the knights of the 
Table Round that were there at that 
time, and welcomed him. And then 
Sir Mador was had to leech-craft, and 
Sir Launcelot was healed of his wound. 
And then there was made great joy 
and mirths in that court. 



CHAP. vm. 

How the truth was known by the maiden of fj 
the lake, and of divers other matters. 

And so it befell that the damsel of 
the lake, her name was Nimue, the which 
wedded the good knight Sir Pelleas, and 
so she came to the court, for ever she did 
great goodness unto king Arthur, and 
to all his knights, through her sorcery 
and enchantments. And so when she 
heard how the queen was an angered 
for the death of Sir Patrise, then she 
told it openly that she was never guilty, 
and there she disclosed by whom it was 
done, and named him Sir Pinel, and for 
what cause he did it. There it was 
openly disclosed, and so the queen was 
excused, and the knight Pinel fled into 
his country. Then was it openly known 
that Sir Pinel enpoisoned the apples 
at the feast, to that intent to have 
destroyed Sir Gawaine, because Sir 
Gawaine and his brethren destroyed 
Sir Lamorak de Galis, to the which Sir 
Pinel was cousin unto. Then was Sir 
Patrise buried in the church of West- 
minster, in a tomb, and thereupon was 
written, Plere lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland, 
slain by Sir Pinel le Savage, that en- 
poisoned apples to have slain Sir Ga- 
waine, and by misfortune Sir Patrise eat 
one of those apples, and then suddenly 
he brast. Also there was written upon 
the tomb, that queen Guenever was 
appealed of treason of the death of Sir 
Patrise by Sir Mador de la Porte, and 
there was made mention how Sir Laun- 
celot fought with him for queen Gue- 
never, and overcame him in plain battle. 
All this was written upon the tomb of 
Sir Patrise, in excusing of the queen. 
And then Sir Mador sued daily and long 
to have the queen's good grace. And so 
by the means of Sir Launcelot he caused 
him to stand in the queen's grace, and 
all was forgiven. Thus it passed forth 
till our Lady day. Assumption. Within 
a fifteen days of that feast the king 
let cry a great justs and a tournament 
that should be at that day at Camelot, 
that is Winchester. And the king let 
cry that he and the king of Scots would 



OF THE MAIDEN OF ASTOLAT. 



419 



just against all that would come against 
them. And when this cry was made, 
thither came many knights. So there 
came thither the king of Northgalis, 
and king Anguish of Ireland, and the 
king with the hundred knights, and Sir 
Galahalt the haut prince, and the king 
of Northumberland, and many other 
noble dukes and earls of divers countries. 
So king Arthur made him ready to 
depart to these justs, and would have 
had the queen with him : but at that 
time she would not, she said, for she 
was sick and might not ride at that 
time. That me repenteth, said the 
king, for this seven year )'e saw not 
such a fellowship together, except at 
Whitsuntide when Galahad departed 
from the court. Truly, said the queen 
to the king, ye must hold me excused, I 
may not be there, and that me repenteth. 
And many deemed the queen would 
not be there because of Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, for Sir Launcelot would not 
ride with the king ; for he said that he 
was not whole of the wound the which 
Sir Mador had given him. Wherefore 
the king was heavy and passing wroth, 
and so he departed towards Winchester 
with his fellowship. And so by the way 
the king lodged in a town called Astolat, 
that is now in English called Gilford, 
and there the king lay in the castle. 
So when the king was departed, the 
queen called Sir Launcelot unto her, 
and said, Sir Launcelot ye are greatly to 
blame, thus to hold you behind my 
lord : what trow ye, what will your 
enemies and mine say and deem ? nought 
else but see how Sir Launcelot holdeth 
him ever behind the king, and so doth 
the queen, for that they would be 
together; and thus will they say, said 
the queen to Sir Launcelot, have ye 
no doubt thereof. 

CHAP. IX. 

Hoiv Sir Launcelot rode to Astolat, and 
received a sleeve to bear upon bis helm 
at the request of a maid. 

Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I allow 
your wit, it is of late come sin ye were 



wise, and therefore, madam, as at this 
time I will be ruled by your counsel, and 
this night I will take my rest, and to- 
morrow by time will take my way 
toward Winchester. But wit you well, 
said Sir Launcelot to the queen, that at 
that justs I will be against the king and 
all his fellowship. Ye may there do as 
ye list, said the queen, but by my coun- 
sel ye shall not be against your king and 
your, fellowship, for therein be full many 
hardy knights of your blood, as ye wot 
well enough, it needeth not to rehearse 
them. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, I 
pray you that ye be not displeased with 
me, for I will take the adventure that 
God will send me. And so upon the 
morn early Sir Launcelot heard mass, 
-and brake his fast, and so took his 
leave of the queen, and departed. And 
then he rode so much until he came 
to Astolat, that is Gilford; and there 
it happed him in the eventide he came 
to an old baron's place, that hight 
Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Sir 
Launcelot entered into his lodging, 
king Arthur espied him as he did walk 
in a garden beside the castle, how he 
took his lodging, and knew him full 
well. It is well, said king Arthur unto 
the knights that were with him in that 
garden beside the castle, I have now 
espied one knight that will play his 
play at the justs to the which we be 
gone toward, I undertake he will do 
marvels. Who is that, we pray you 
tell us, said many knights that were 
there at that time. Ye shall not wit 
for me, said the king, at this time. And 
so the king smiled, and went to his 
lodging. So when Sir Launcelot was 
in his lodging, and unarmed him in his 
chamber, the old baron and hermit 
came unto him, making his reverence, 
and welcomed him in the best manner ; 
but the old knight knew not Sir Laun- 
celot. Fair sir, said Sir Launcelot to 
his host, I would pray you to lend me a 
shield that were not openly known, for 
mine is well known. Sir, said his host, 
ye shall have your desire, for me seemeth 
ye be one of the likeliest knights of the 
world, and therefore I shall shew you 

27—2 



420 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



BOOK XVIII. 



friendship. Sir, wit you well I have 
two sons which were but late made 
knights, and the eldest hight Sir Tirre, 
and he was hurt that same day that he 
was made knight, that he may not ride, 
and his shield ye shall have, for that is 
not known, I dare say, but here and in 
no place else. And my youngest son 
hight Sir Lavaine, and if it please you 
he shall ride with you unto that justs, 
and he is of his age strong and wight. 
For much my heart giveth unto you 
that ye should be a noble knight, there- 
fore, I pray you tell me your name, said 
Sir Bernard. As for that, said Sir 
Launcelot, ye must hold me excused as 
at this time, and if God give me grace 
to speed well at the justs I shall come 
again and tell you. But I pray you, 
said Sir Launcelot, in any wise let me 
have your son Sir Lavaine with me, and 
that I may have his brother's shield. Also 
this shall be done, said Sir Bernard. 

This old baron had a daughter that 
time that was called that time the fair 
maid of Astolat. And ever she beheld 
Sir Launcelot wonderfully. And, as the 
book saith, she cast such a love unto 
Sir Launcelot that she could never with- 
draw her love, wherefore she died ; and 
her name was Elaine le Blank. So 
thus as she came to and fro, she was 
so hot in her love that she besought Sir 
Launcelot to wear upon him at the 
justs a token of hers. Fair damsel, 
said Sir Launcelot, and if I grant you 
that, ye may say I do more for your 
love than ever I did for lady or damsel. 
Then he remembered him that he would 
go to the justs disguised, and for be- 
cause he had never afore that time 
borne no manner of token of no damsel, 
then he bethought him that he would 
bear one of her, that none of his blood 
thereby might know him. And then 
he said, Fair maiden, I will grant you 
to wear a token of yours upon my 
helmet, and therefore what it is shew 
it me. Sir, she said, it is a red sleeve 
of mine, of scarlet well embroidered 
with great pearls. And so she brought 
it him. So Sir Launcelot received it 
arid said, Never did I erst so much for 



no damsel. And then Sir Launcelot 
betook the fair maiden his shield in 
keeping, and prayed her to keep that 
until that he came again. And so that 
night he had merry rest and great cheer. 
For ever the damsel Elaine was about 
Sir Launcelot, all the while she might 
be suffered. 

CHAP. X. 

How the tourney begati at Winchester, and 
what knights were at the justs, and other 
things. 

So upon a day on the mom, king 
Arthur and all his knights departed ; for 
their king had tarried there three days 
to abide his noble knights. And so 
when the king was riden. Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Lavaine made them ready for 
to ride, and either of them had white 
shields, and the red sleeve Sir Launcelot 
let carry with him. And so they took 
their leave at Sir Bernard the old baron, 
and at his daughter the fair maiden of 
Astolat. And then they rode so long 
till they came to Camelot, that time 
called Winchester. And there was great 
press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, 
and many noble knights. But there Sir 
Launcelot was lodged privily, by the 
means of Sir Lavaine, with a rich bur- 
gess, that no man in that town was 
ware what they were. And so they 
sojourned there till our Lady day. As- 
sumption, as the great feast should be. 
So then trumpets blew unto the field, 
and king Arthur was set on high upon 
a scaffold, to behold who did best. 
But, as the French book saith, king 
Arthur would not suffer Sir Gawaine to 
go from him, for never had Sir Gawaine 
the better and Sir Launcelot were in the 
field ; and many times was Sir Gawaine 
rebuked when Launcelot came into any 
justs disguised. Then some of the 
kings, as king Anguish of Ireland and 
the king of Scotland, were that time 
turned upon the side of king Arthur. 
And then on the other party was the 
king of Northgalis, and the king with 
the hundred knights, and the king of 
Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt the 
haut prince. But these three kings and 



CHAP. XI. 



OF HER BROTHER, SIR LAVAINE. 



421 



this duke were passing weak to hold 
against king Arthur's party : for with 
him were the noblest knights of the 
world. So then they withdrew them 
either party from other, and every man 
made him ready in his best manner to 
do what he might. Then Sir Launcelot 
made him ready, and put the red sleeve 
upon his head, and fastened it fast ; and 
so Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine de- 
parted out of Winchester privily, and 
rode until a little leaved wood, behind 
the party that held against king Ar- 
thur's party, and there they held them 
still till the parties smote together. 
And then came in the king of Scots and 
the king of Ireland on Arthur's party : 
and against them came the king of 
Northumberland; and the king with 
the hundred knights smote down the 
king of Northumberland, and the king 
with the hundred knights smote down 
king Anguish of Ireland. Then Sir 
Palamides, that was on Arthur's party, 
encountered with Sir Galahalt, and 
either of them smote down other, and 
either party halp their lords on horse- 
back again. So there began a strong 
assail upon both parties. And then there 
came in Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramor le 
Desirous, Sir Dodinas le Savage, Sir 
Kay le Seneschal, Sir Griflet le Fise de 
Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Meliot de Logris, 
Sir Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Safere, 
Sir Epinogris, and Sir Galleron of Gal- 
way. All these fifteen knights were 
knights of the Table Round. So these 
with more others came in together, and 
beat on back the king of Northumber- 
land, and the king of North Wales. 
When Sir Launcelot saw this, as he 
hoved in a little leaved wood, then he said 
unto Sir Lavaine, See yonder is a com- 
pany of good knights, and they hold them 
together as boars that were chafed with 
dogs. That is truth, said Sir Lavaine. 

CHAP. XL 
How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine en- 
tered in the field against them of king 
Arthurs court, and how Launcelot was 
hurt. 
Now, said Sir Launcelot, and ve will 



help me a little, ye shall see yonder fel- 
lowship which chaseth now these men 
in our side, that they shall go as fast 
backward as they went forward. Sir, 
spare not, said Sir Lavaine, for I shall 
do what I may. Then Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Lavaine came in at the thickest 
of the press, and there Sir Launcelot 
smote down Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagra- 
mor, Sir Dodinas, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, 
and all this he did with one spear. 
And Sir Lavaine smote down Sir Lucan 
le Buttelere, and Sir Bedivere. And 
then Sir Launcelot gat another spear, 
and there he smote down Sir Agra- 
vaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, 
and Sir Meliot de Logris. And Sir 
Lavaine smote down Ozanna le Cure 
Hardy : and then Sir Launcelot drew 
his sword, and there he smote on the 
right hand and on the left hand, and by 
great force he unhorsed Sir Safere, Sir 
Epinogris, and Sir Galleron. And then 
the knights of the Table Round with- 
drew them aback, after they had gotten 
their horses as well as they might. O 
mercy, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is 
yonder, that doth so marvellous deeds 
of arms in that field? I wot what he 
is, said king Arthur. But as at this 
time I will not name him. Sir, said Sir 
Gawaine, I would say it were Sir Laun- 
celot, by his riding and his buffets that 
I see him deal : but ever me seemeth it 
should not be he, for that he bearcth 
the red sleeve upon his head, for I wist 
him never bear token, at no justs, of 
lady nor gentlewoman. Let him be, 
said king Arthur, he will be better 
known and do more or ever he depart. 
Then the party that were against king 
Arthur were well comforted, and then 
they held them together, that before- 
hand were sore rebuked. Then Sir 
Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir 
Lionel, called unto them the knights of 
their blood, as Sir Blamor de Canis, 
Sir Bleoberis, Sir Aliduke, Sir Galihud, 
Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse, 
so these nine knights of Sir Launcelot's 
kin thrust in mightily, for they were all 
noble knights. And they, of great hate 
and despite that they had unto him, 



422 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



thought to rebuke that noble knight 
Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lavaine, for they 
knew them not. And so they came 
hurtUng together, and smote down 
many knights of Northgalis and of 
Northumberland. And when Sir Laun- 
celot saw them fare so, he gat a spear 
in his hand, and there encountered with 
him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and 
Sir Lionel, and all they three smote him 
at once with their spears. And with force 
of themselves they smote Sir Launce- 
lot's horse to the earth. And by mis- 
fortune Sir Bors smote Sir Launcelot 
through the shield into the side, and 
the spear brake, and the head left still 
in his side. When Sir Lavaine saw his 
master lie on the ground, he ran to the 
king of Scots, and smote him to the 
earth, and by great force he took his 
horse and brought him to Sir Launce- 
lot, and maugre them all he made him 
to mount upon that horse. And then 
Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and 
there he smote Sir Bors horse and man 
to the earth, in the same wise he served 
Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and Sir La- 
vaine smote down Sir Blamor de Ganis. 
And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, 
for he felt himself so sore and hurt tliat 
he wend there to have had his death. 
And then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a 
buffet on the helmet that he fell down 
to the earth in a swoon. And in the 
same wise he served Sir Aliduke and 
Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smote 
down Sir Bellangere, that was the son 
of Alisander le Orphelin. And by this 
was Sir Bors horsed, and then he came 
with Sir Ector and Sir Lionel, and all 
they three smote with swords upon Sir 
Launcelot's helmet. And when he felt 
their buffets, and his wound the which 
was so grievous, then he thought to do 
what he might while he might endure ; 
and then he gave Sir Bors such a buffet 
that he made him bow his head passing 
low, and therewithal he rased off his 
helm, and might have slain him, and so 
pulled him down. And in the same 
wise he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel. 
For, as the book saith, he might have 
slain them, but when he saw their 



visages his heart might not serve him 
thereto, but left them there. 

And then afterward he hurled in the 
thickest press of them all, and did there 
the mai-vellousest deeds of arms that ever 
man saw or heard speak of; and ever 
Sir Lavaine the good knight with him. 
And there Sir Launcelot with his sword 
smote and pulled down, as the French 
book maketh mention, more than thirty 
knights, and the most party were of the 
Table Round. And Sir Lavaine did full 
well that day, for he smote down ten 
knights of the Table Round. 

CHAP. XIL 

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine de- 
parted out of the field, and in what 
jeopardy Latmcelot was. 

Mercy, said Sir Gawaine to Arthur, 
I marvel what knight that he is with 
the red sleeve. Sir, said king Arthur, 
he will be known or he depart. And 
then the king blew unto lodging, and 
the prize was given by heralds unto the 
knight with the white shield, that bare 
the red sleeve. Then came the king 
with the hundred knights, the king of 
Northgalis, and the king of Northum- 
berland, and Sir Galahalt the haut 
prince, and said unto Sir Launcelot, 
Fair knight, God thee bless, for much 
have ye done this day for us, therefore 
we pray you that ye will come with us, 
that ye may receive the honour and the 
prize as ye have worshipfully deserved 
it. My fair lords, said Sir Launcelot, 
wit you well, if 1 have deserved thank I 
have sore bought it, and that me re- 
penteth, for I am like never to escape 
with my life, therefore, fair lords, I pray 
yt)u that ye will suffer me to depart 
where me liketh, for I am sore hurt. I 
take none force of none honour, for I had 
lever to repose me than to be lord of 
all the world. And therewithal he 
groaned piteously, and rode a great 
gallop away-ward from them, until he 
came under a wood's side ; and when he 
saw that he was from the field nigh a 
mile, that he was sure he might not be 



HOW LAUNCELOT WAS WOUNDED. 



423 



seen, then he said with an high voice, 
O gentle knight Sir Lavaine, help me 
that this truncheon were out of my side, 
for it sticketh so sore that it nigh slay- 
eth me. O mine own loid, said Sir 
Lavaine, I would fain do that might 
please you, but I dread me sore, and I 
draw out the truncheon, that ye shall 
be in peril of death, I charge you, said 
Sir Launcelot, as ye love me draw it 
out. And therewithal he descended from 
his horse, and right so did Sir Lavaine, 
and forthwith Sir Lavaine drew the 
truncheon out of his side. And he gave 
a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly 
groan, and his blood brast out nigh a 
pint at once, that at last he sank down, 
and so swooned pale and deadly. Alas, 
said Sir Lavaine, what shall I do ? And 
then he turned Sir Launcelot into the 
wind, but so he lay there nigh half an 
hour as he had been dead. And so at 
the last Sir Launcelot cast up his eyes, 
and said, O Lavaine, help me that I 
were on my horse, for here is fast by 
within this two mile a gentle hermit, 
that sometime was a full noble knight 
and a great lord of possessions : and for 
great goodness he hath taken him to 
wilful poverty, and forsaken many lands, 
and his name is Sir Baudewin of Brit- 
tany, and he is a full noble surgeon, 
and a good leech. Now let see, help 
me up that I were there. For ever 
my heart giveth me that I shall never 
die of my cousin-german's hands. And 
then with great pain Sir Lavaine halp 
him upon his horse ; and then they rode 
a great gallop together, and ever Sir 
Launcelot bled that it ran down to the 
earth. And so by fortune they came to 
that hermitage, which was under a 
wood, and a great cliff on the other 
side, and a fair water running under it. 
And then Sir Lavaine beat on the gate 
with the butt of his spear, and cried 
fast. Let in for Jesu's sake. And there 
came a fair child to them, and asked 
them what they would ? Fair son, said 
Sir Lavaine, go and pray thy lord the 
hermit for God's sake to let in here 
a knight that is full sore wounded, and 
this day tell thy lord that I saw him do 



more deeds of arms than ever I heard 
say that any man did. -So the child 
went in lightly, and then he brought the 
hermit, the which was a passing good 
man. So when Sir Lavaine saw him. 
he prayed him for God's sake of suc- 
cour. What knight is he? said the 
hermit, is he of the house of king Ar- 
thur or not ? I wot not, said Sir La- 
vaine, what is he, nor what is his name, 
but well I wot I saw him do mar- 
vellously this day, as of deeds of anns» 
On whose party was he ? said the her- 
mit. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, he was this 
day against king Arthur, and there he 
wan the prize of all the knights of the 
Round Table. I have seen the day, 
said the hermit, I would have loved him 
the worse because he was against my 
lord king Arthur, for sometime I was 
one of the fellowship of the Round 
Table, but I thank God now I am 
otherwise disposed. But where is he? 
let me see him. Then Sir Lavaine 
brought the hermit to him. 



CHAP. XIIL 

How Launcelot was broright to an hermit 
for to he healed of his zvounJ, and of 
other matters. 

And when the heiTnit beheld him as 
he sat leaning upon his saddle-bow, ever 
bleeding piteously, and ever the knight 
hermit thought that he should know 
him, but he could not bring him to 
knowledge, because he was so pale for 
bleeding, What knight are ye ? said the 
hermit, and where were ye born? My 
fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, I am a 
stranger, and a knight adventurous that 
laboureth throughout many realms for 
to win worship. Then the hermit ad- 
vised him better, and saw by a wound 
on his cheek that he was Sir Launcelot. 
Alas, said the hermit, mine own lord, 
why hide you your name from me : for- 
sooth I ought to know you of right, for 
ye are the most noblest knight of the 
world; for well I know you for Sir 
Launcelot. Sii", said he, sith ye know 
me, help me and ye may, for God's 



424 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK xvin. 



sake ; for I would be out of this pain at 
once, either to death or to life. Have 
ye no doubt, said the hermit, ye shall 
live and fare right well. And so the 
hermit called to him two of his servants, 
and so he and his servants bare him 
into the hermitage, and lightly xmarmed 
him and laid him in his bed. And then 
anon the hermit stanched his blood, 
and made him to drink good wine, so 
that Sir Launcelot was well refreshed, 
and knew himself. For in those days it 
was not the guise of hermits as is now 
adays. For there were none hermits 
in those days but that they had been 
men of worship and of prowess, and 
those hermits held great household, 
and refreshed people that were in dis- 
tress. 

Now turn we unto king Arthur, and 
leave we Sir Launcelot in the hermitage. 
So when the kings were come together 
on both parties, and the great feast 
should be holden, king Arthur asked 
the king of Northgalis and their fellow- 
ship where was that knight that bare 
the red sleeve : — Bring him before me, 
that he may have his laud and honour 
and the prize, as it is right. Then spake 
Sir Galahalt the haut prince and the 
king with the hundred knights: We 
suppose that knight is mischieved, and 
that he is never like to see you, nor 
none of us all, and that is the greatest 
pity that ever we wist of any knight. 
Alas, said Arthur, how may this be? 
is he so hurt? What is his name? 
said king Arthur. Truly, said they all, 
we know not his name, nor from 
whence he came, nor whither he would. 
Alas, said the king, these be to me the 
worst tidings that came to me this 
seven year : for I would not for all the 
lands I hold, to know and wit it were 
so that that noble knight were slain. 
Know ye him? said they all. As for 
that, said Arthur, whether I know him 
or know him not, ye shall not know for 
me what man he is, but Almighty Jesu 
send me good tidings of him. And 
so said they all. By my head, said 
Sir Gawaine, if it be so, that the good 
knight be so sore hurt, it is great 



damage and pity to all this land, for 
he is one of the noblest knights that 
ever I saw in a field handle a spear 
or a sword. And if he may be found 
I shall find him, for I am sure he is 
not far from this town. Bear you well, 
said king Arthur, and ye may find him, 
unless that he be in such a plight that 
he may not hold himself. Jesu defend, 
said Sir Gawaine, but wit 1 shall what 
he is, and I may find him. Right so. 
Sir Gawaine took a squire with him, 
upon hackneys, and rode all about 
Camelot within six or seven miles. But 
so he came again, and could hear no 
word of him. 

Then within two days king Arthur 
and all the fellowship returned unto 
London again. And so as they rode 
by the way, it happed Sir Gawaine at 
Astolat to lodge with Sir Bernard, there 
as was Sir Launcelot lodged. And so 
as Sir Gawaine was in his chamber to 
repose him. Sir Bernard the old baron 
came unto him, and his daughter Elaine, 
for to cheer him, and to ask him what 
tidings, and who did best at that tour- 
nament of Winchester. Truly, said Sir 
Gawaine, there were two knights that 
bare two white shields ; but the one of 
them bare a red sleeve upon his head, 
and certainly he was one of the best 
knights that ever I saw just in field. 
For I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, that 
one knight vdth the red sleeve smote 
down forty valiant knights of the Table 
Round, and his fellow did right well 
and worshipfully. Now blessed be 
God, said the fair maiden of Astolat, 
that that knight sped so well, for he is 
the man in the world that I first loved, 
and truly he shall be the last that ever 
I shall love. Now fair maid, said Sir 
Gawaine, is that good knight your love? 
Certainly, sir, said she, wit ye well he 
is my love. Then know ye his name, 
said Sir Gawaine. Nay, truly, said the 
damsel, I know not his name, nor from 
whence he cometh, but to say that I 
love him, I promise you and God that 
I love him. How had ye knowledge 
of him first ? said Sir Gawaine. 



HOW GAWAINE CAME TO ASTOLAT. 



425 



CHAP. XIV. 

How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the 
lord of Astolat, and there had know- 
ledge that it was Sir Launcelot that 
hare the red sleeve. 

Then she told him as ye have heard 
tofore, and how her father betook him 
her brother to do him service, and how 
her father lent him her brother Sir 
Tirre's shield, — And here with me he 
left his own shield. For what cause 
did he so ? said Sir Gawaine. For this 
cause, said the damsel, for his shield 
was too well known among many noble 
knights. Ah, fair damsel, said Sir Ga- 
waine, please it you let me have a sight 
of that shield. Sir, said she, it is in my 
chamber covered with a case, and if ye 
will come with me, ye shall see it. Not 
so, said vSir Bernard, till his daughter 
let send for it. So when the shield was 
come. Sir Gawaine took off the case : 
and when he beheld that shield, he knew 
anon that it was Sir Launcelot's shield, 
and his own arms. Ah, mercy, said 
Sir Gawaine, now is my heart more 
heavier then ever it was tofore. Why? 
said Elaine. For I have great cause, 
said Sir Gawaine: is that knight that 
owneth this shield your love? Yea 
truly, said she, my love he is, God 
would I were his love. Truly, said 
Sir Gawaine, fair damsel, ye have right, 
for, and he be your love, ye love the 
most honourable knight of the world, 
and the man of most worship. So me 
thought ever, said the damsel, for never, 
or that time, for no knight that ever 
I saw loved I never none erst. God 
grant, said Sir Gawaine, that either of 
you may rejoice other, but that is in 
a great adventure. But truly, said Sir 
Gawaine unto the damsel, ye may say 
ye have a fair grace, for why, I have 
known that noble knight this four and 
twenty year, and never or that day I nor 
none other knight, I dare make it good, 
saw nor heard say that ever he bare 
token or sign of no lady, gentlewoman, 
nor maiden, at no justs nor tournament. 
And therefore, fair maiden, said Sir Ga- 
waine, ye are much beholden to him to 



give him thanks. But I dread me, said 
Sir Gawaine, that ye shall never see 
him in this world, and that is great 
pity that ever was of earthly knight. 
Alas, said she, how may this be ? Is he 
slain ? I say not so, said Sir Gawaine, 
but wit ye well, he is grievously wounded, 
by all manner of signs, and by men's 
sight more likely to be dead then to be 
on live ; and wit ye well he is the noble 
knight Sir Launcelot, for by this shield 
I know him. Alas, said the fair maiden 
of Astolat, how may this be, and what 
was his hurt ? Truly, said Sir Gawaine, 
the man in the world that loved him 
best hurt him so, and I dare say, said 
Sir Gawaine, and that knight that hurt 
him knew the very certainty that he 
had hurt Sir Launcelot, it would be the 
most sorrow that ever came to his 
heart. Now, fair father, said then 
Elaine, I require you give me leave to 
ride and to seek him, or else I wot well 
I shall go out of my mind, for I shall 
never stint till that I find him and my 
brother Sir Lavaine. Do as it liketh 
you, said her father, for me right sore 
repenteth of the hurt of that noble 
knight. Right so the maid made her 
ready, and before Sir Gawaine making 
great dole. Then on the morn Sir Ga- 
waine came to king Arthur, and told 
him how he had found Sir Launcelot's 
shield in the keeping of the fair maiden 
of Astolat. All that knew I aforehand, 
said king Arthur, and that caused me 
I would not suffer you to have ado at 
the great justs : for I espied, said king 
Arthur, when he came in till his lodging, 
full late in the evening in Astolat. But 
marvel have I, said Arthur, that ever 
he would bear any sign of any damsel : 
for, or now, I never heard say nor knew 
that ever he bare any token of none 
earthly woman. By my head, said Sir j 
Gawaine, the fair maiden of Astolat 
loveth him marvellously well ; what 
it meaneth I cannot say; and she is 
ridden after to seek him. So the king 
and all came to London, and there 
Sir Gawaine openly disclosed to all the 
court that it was Sir Launcelot that 
justed best. 



426 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK xvin. 



CHAP. XV. 

Of the sorrow that Sir Bors had for the 
hurt of Lajpicelot; and of the anger 
that the queen had because Launcelot 
bore the sleeve. 

And when Sir Bors heard that, wit ye 
well he was a heavy man, and so were 
all his kinsmen. But when queen Gue- 
never wist that Sir Launcelot bare the 
red sleeve of the fair maiden of Astolat, 
she was nigh out of her mind for wrath. 
And then she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis 
in all the haste that might be. So when 
Sir Bors was come tofore the queen, 
then she said. Ah, Sir Bors, have ye 
heard say how falsely Sir Launcelot 
hath betrayed me? Alas, madam, said 
Sir Bors, I am afraid he hath betrayed 
himself, and us all. No force, said the 
queen, though he be destroyed, for 
he is a false traitor knight. Madam, 
said Sir Bors, I pray you say ye not so, 
for wit you well I may not hear such 
language of him. Why, Sir Bors, said 
she, should I not call him traitor, when 
he bare the red sleeve upon his head at 
Winchester, at the great justs ? Madam, 
said Sir Bors, that sleeve-bearing re- 
penteth me sore, but I dare say he did 
it to none evil intent, but for this cause 
he bare the red sleeve, that none of his 
blood should know him ; for, or then, 
we nor none of us all never knew that 
ever he bare token or sign of maid, 
lady, ne gentlewoman. Fie on him, 
said the queen, yet for all his pride 
and boasting, there ye proved yourself 
his better. Nay, madam, say ye never 
more so, for he beat me and my fellows, 
and might have slain us, and he had 
would. Fie on him, said the queen, for 
I heard Sir Gawaine say before my lord 
Arthur, that it were marvel to tell the 
great love that is between the fair 
maiden of Astolat and him. Madam, 
said Sir Bors, I may not warn Sir Ga- 
waine to say what it pleased him : but 
I dare say as for my lord Sir Launcelot, 
that he loveth no lady, gentlewoman, 
nor maid, but all he loveth in like much, 
and therefore, madam, said Sir Bors, ye 
may say what ye will, but wit ye well I 



will haste me to seek him,, and find him 
wheresoever he be, and God send me 
good tidings of him. And so leave we 
them there, and speak we of Sir Laun- 
celot, that lay in great peril. 

So as fair Elaine came to Winchester, 
she sought there all about, and by for- 
tune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him, 
to enchafe his horse. And anon as 
Elaine saw him she knew him, and 
then she cried onloud until him. And 
when he heard her, anon he came to 
her; and then she asked her brother. 
How did my lord. Sir Launcelot ? 
Who told you, sister, that my lord's 
name was Sir Launcelot ? Then she 
told him how Sir Gawaine by his shield 
knew him. So they rode together till 
that they came to the hermitage, and 
anon she alight. So Sir Lavaine brought 
her in to Sir Launcelot. And when she 
saw him lie so sick and pale in his bed, 
she might not speak, but suddenly she 
fell to the earth down suddenly in a 
swoon, and there she lay a great while. 
And when she was relieved she sighed, 
and said. My lord Sir Launcelot, alas, 
why be ye in this plight ? and then she 
swooned again. And then Sir Launce- 
lot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up, — 
And bring her to me. And when she 
came to herself. Sir Launcelot kissed 
her, and said, Fair maiden, why fare ye 
thus ? Ye put me to pain ; wherefore 
make ye no more such cheer, for, and ye 
be come to comfort me, ye be right 
welcome, and of this little hurt that I 
have, I shall be right hastily whole, by 
the grace of God. But I marvel, said 
Sir Launcelot, who told you my name. 
Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir 
Gawaine was lodged with her father, — 
And there by your shield he discovered 
your name. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, 
that me repenteth, that my name is 
known, for I am sure it will turn unto 
anger. And then Sir Launcelot com- 
passed in his mind that Sir Gawaine 
would tell queen Guenever how he bare 
the red sleeve, and for whom, that he 
wist well would turn unto great anger. 
So this maiden, Elaine, never went 
from Sir Launcelot, but watched him 



HOW SIR BORS FOUND LAVNCELOT. 



427 



day and night, and did such attendance 
to him that the French book saith there 
was never woman did more kindlier 
for man than she. Then Sir Launcelot 
prayed Sir Lavaine to make espies in 
Winchester for Sir Bors if he came there, 
and told him by what tokens he should 
know him, by a wound in his forehead : 
For well I am sure, said Sir Launcelot, 
that Sir Bors will seek me, for he is the 
same good knight that hurt me. 

CHAP. XVI. 

How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found 
him in the hermitage, and of the lamen- 
tation between them. 

Now turn we unto Sir Bors de Ganis, 
that came unto Winchester to seek after 
his cousin, Sir Launcelot ; and so when 
he came to Winchester, anon there were 
men that Sir Lavaine had made to lie in 
a watch for such a man ; and anon Sir 
Lavaine had warning ; and then Sir 
Lavaine came to Winchester, and found 
Sir Bors, and there he told him what he 
was, and with whom he was, and what 
was his name. Nov/, fair knight, said 
Sir Bors, I require you that ye will 
bring me to my lord Sir Launcelot. 
Sir, said Sir Lavaine, take your horse, 
and within this hour ye shall see him. 
And so they departed, and came to 
the hermitage. 

And when Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot 
lie in his bed, pale and discoloured, anon 
Sir Bors lost his countenance, and for 
kindness and pity he might not speak, 
but wept tenderly a great while. And 
then when he might speak he said thus : 
O my lord Sir Launcelot, God you bless, 
and send you hasty recovery; and full 
heavy am I of my misfortune and of 
mine unhappiness, lor now I may call 
myself unhappy, and I dread me that 
God is greatly displeased with me, that 
he would suffer me to have such a shame 
for to hurt you, that are all our leader 
and all our worship, and therefore I call 
myself unhappy. Alas, that ever such a 
caitiff knight as I am should have power 
by unhappiness to hurt the most noblest 
knight of the world. Where I so shame- 



fully set upon you and overcharged you, 
and where ye might have slain me, ye 
saved me, and so did not I : for I, and 
your blood, did to you our utterance. 
I marvel, said Sir Bors, that my heart 
or my blood would serve me, wherefore 
my lord Sir Launcelot, I ask your mercy. 
Fair cousin, said Sir Launcelot, ye be 
right welcome, and wit ye well over- 
much ye say for to please me, the which 
pleaseth me not ; for why ? I have the 
same sought, for I would with pride 
have overcome you all, and there in my 
pride I was near slain, and that was in 
mine own default, for I might have 
given you warning of my being theie. 
And then had I had no hurt ; for it is 
an old said saw, there is hard battle 
there as kin and friends do battle either 
against other ; there may be no mercy, 
but mortal war. Therefore, fair cousin, 
said Sir Launcelot, let this speech over- 
pass, and all shall be welcome that God 
sendeth ; and let us leave off this matter, 
and let us speak of some rejoicing : for 
this that is done may not be undone, 
and let us find a remedy how soon 
that I may be whole. Then Sir Bors 
leaned upon his bed's side, and told Sir 
Launcelot how the queen was passing 
wroth with him, because he ware the 
red sleeve at the great justs. And there 
Sir Bors told him all how Sir Gawaine 
discovered it by your shield that ye left 
with the fair maiden of Astolat. Then 
is the queen wroth, said Sir Launcelot, 
and therefore am I right heavy, for I 
deserved no wrath, for all that I did was 
because that I would not be known. 
Right so excused I you, said Sir Bors, 
but all was in vain, for she said more 
largely to me than I to you now. But 
is this she, said Sir Bors, that is so busy 
about you, that men call the fair maiden 
of Astolat ? She it is, said Sir Launce- 
lot, that by no means I cannot put from 
me. Why should ye put her from you ? 
said Sir Bors, she is a passing fair dam- 
sel, and a well beseen and well taught ; 
and God would, fair cousin, said Sir Bors, 
that ye could love her, but as to that I 
may not, nor I dare not, counsel you. 
But I see well, said Sir Bors, by her 



428 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVIII. 



diligence about you, that she loveth you 
entirely. That me repenteth, said Sir 
Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Bors, she is 
not the first that hath lost her pain 
upon you, and that is the more pity. 
And so they talked of many more 
things. And so within three days or 
four. Sir Launcelot was big and strong 
again. 

CHAP. XVII. 
How Sir Launcelot armed him to assay if 

be might bear arms, and how his wound 

burst out again. 

Then Sir Bors told Sir Launcelot how 
there was sworn a great tournament and 
justs betwixt king Arthur and the king 
of Northgalis, that should be on AU- 
hallowmass day, beside "Winchester. Is 
that truth ? said Sir Launcelot, then 
shall ye abide with me still a little while, 
imtil that I be whole, for I feel myself 
right big and strong. Blessed be God, 
said Sir Bors. Then were they there nigh 
a month together ; and ever this maiden 
Elaine did ever her diligent labour, 
night and day, unto Sir Launcelot, that 
there was never child nor wife more 
meeker to father and husband, than was 
that fair maiden of Astolat. Wherefore 
Sir Bors was greatly pleased with her. So 
upon a day, by the assent of Sir Laun- 
celot, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine they 
made the hermit to seek in woods for 
divers herbs. And so vSir Launcelot 
made fair Elaine to gather herbs for 
him, to make him a bath. In the mean 
while, Sir Launcelot made him to arm 
him at all pieces, and there he thought 
to assay his armour and his spear, for 
his hurt or not. And so when he was 
upon his horse, he stirred him fiercely, 
and the horse was passing lusty and 
fresh, because he was not laboured a 
month before. And then Sir Launcelot 
couched that spear in the rest : that 
courser lept mightily when he felt the 
spurs ; and he that was upon him, the 
which was the noblest horse of the 
world, strained him mightily and stably, 
and kept still the spear in the rest. And 
therewith Sir Launcelot strained himself 
so straitly, with so great force, to get 



the horse forward, that the bottom of 
the wound brast, both within and with- 
out, and therewithal the blood came 
out so fiercely that he felt himself so 
feeble that he might not sit upon his 
horse. And then Sir Launcelot cried 
unto Sir Bors, Ah, Sir Bors, and Sir 
Lavaine, help, for I am come to mine 
end. And therewith he fell down on 
the one side to the earth, like a dead 
corpse. And then Sir Bors and Sir 
Lavaine came to him, with sorrow 
making out of measure. And so by 
fortune the maiden Elaine heard their 
mourning, and then she came thither. 
And when she found Sir Launcelot 
there anned in that place, she cried 
and wept as she had been wood, and 
then she kissed him, and did what she 
might to awake him. And then she 
rebuked her brother and Sir Bors, and 
called them false traitors, why they 
would take him out of his bed ; then 
she cried, and said she would appeal 
them of his death. With this came the 
holy hermit, Sir Baudevvin of Britanny ; 
and when he found Sir Launcelot in 
that plight he said but little, but wit ye 
well he was wroth ; and then he bade 
them, Let us have him in. And so 
they all bare him unto the hermitage, 
and unarmed him, and laid him in his 
bed, and evermore his wound bled pite- 
ously, but he stirred no limb of him. 
Then the knight hermit put a thing in 
his nose, and a little deal of water in 
his mouth, and then Sir Launcelot 
waked of his swoon, and then the her- 
mit stanched his bleeding. And when 
he might speak, he asked Sir Launcelot 
why he put his life in jeopardy. Sir, 
said Sir Launcelot, because I wend I 
had been strong, and also Sir Bors told 
me that there should be at Allhallow- 
mass a great justs betwixt king Arthur 
and the king of Northgalis, and therefore 
I thought to assay it myself, M^hether 
I might be there or not. Ah, Sir Laun- 
celot, said the hermit, your heart and 
your courage will never be done until 
your last day, but ye shall do now by my 
counsel ; let Sir Bors depart from you, 
and let him do at that tournament what 



CHAP. xvm. HOW LAUNCELOT RETURNED TO ASTOLAT. 



429 



he may, and by the grace of God, said 
the knight hermit, by that the tourna- 
ment be done, and ye come hither again, 
Sir Launcelot shall be as whole as ye, so 
that he will be governed by me. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

How Sir Bors returned and told tidings of 
Sir Launcelot, and of the tourney, and 
to whom the prize was given. 

Then Sir Bors made him ready to 
depart from Sir Launcelot ; and then Sir 
Launcelot said, Fair cousin. Sir Bors, 
recommend me unto all them unto 
whom me ought to recommend me unto, 
and I pray you enforce yourself at that 
justs, that ye may be best, for my love, 
and here shall I abide you, at the mercy 
of God, till ye come again. And so 
Sir Bors departed, and came to the 
court of king Arthur, and told them in 
what place he had left Sir Launcelot. 
That me repenteth, said the king, but 
sin he shall have his life, we may all 
thank God. And there Sir Bors told 
the queen in what jeopardy Sir Laun- 
celot was, when he would essay his 
horse : and all that he did, madam, was 
for the love of you, because he would 
have been at this tournament. Fie on 
him, recreant knight, said the queen, 
for wit ye well I am right sorry and he 
shall have his life. His life shall he 
have, said Sir Bors, and who that would 
otherwise, except you, madam, we that 
be of his blood should help to short 
their lives. But, madam, said Sir Bors, 
ye have been oft-times displeased with 
my lord Sir Launcelot, but at all 
times at the end ye find him a true 
knight. And so he departed. And 
then every knight of the Round Table 
that was there present at that time, 
made them ready to be at that justs 
at Allhallowmass. And thither drew 
many knights of divers countries. And 
as Allhallowmass drew near, thither 
came the king of Northgalis, and the 
king with the hundred knights, and Sir 
Galahalt the haut prince of Surluse, and 
thither came king Anguish of Ireland, 
and the king of Scots. So these three 



kings came on king Arthur's party. 
And so that day Sir Gawaine did great 
deeds of arms, and began first, and the 
heralds numbered that Sir Gawaine 
smote down twenty knights. Then Sir 
Bors de Ganis came in the same time, 
and he was numbered that he smote 
down twenty knights. And therefore 
the prize was given betwixt them both, 
for they began first, and the longest 
endured. 

Also Sir Gareth, as the book saith, 
did that day great deeds of arms, for he 
smote down, and pulled down, thirty 
knights. But when he had done these 
deeds he tarried not, but so departed, 
and therefore he lost his prize. And 
Sir Palamides did great deeds of arms 
that day, for he smote down twenty 
knights, but he departed suddenly ; and 
men deemed Sir Gareth and he rode 
together to some manner adventure. 
So when this tournament was done. 
Sir Bors departed, and rode till he 
came to Sir Launcelot his cousin, and 
then he found him walking on his feet, 
and there either made great joy of 
other. And so Sir Bors told Sir Laun- 
celot of all the justs, like as ye have 
heard, I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, 
that Sir Gareth, when he had done such 
deeds of arms, that he would not tarry. 
Thereof we marvelled all, said Sir Bors, 
for, but if it were you, or Sir Tristram, 
or Sir Lamorak de Galis, I saw never 
knight bear down so many* in so little a 
while as did Sir Gareth. And anon as 
he was gone, he wist not where. By 
my head, said Sir Launcelot, he is a 
noble knight, and a mighty man, and 
well breathed ; and if he were well 
assayed, said Sir Launcelot, I would 
deem he were good enough for any 
man that beareth the life ; and he is a 
gentle knight, courteous, true, and boun- 
teous, meek and mild, and in him is 
no manner of mal-engine, but plain, 
faithful, and true. So then they made 
them ready to depart from the hennit. 
And so upon a mom they took their 
horses, and Elaine le Blank with them ; 
and when they came to Astolat, there 
they w^ere well lodged, and had great 



430 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK xvin. 



cheer of Sir Bernard the old baron, and 
of Sir Tirre his son. And so upon 
the morn, when Sir Launcelot should 
depart, fair Elaine brought her father 
with her, and Sir Tirre and Sir Lavaine, 
and thus she said : 

CHAP. XIX. 

Of the great lamentation of the fair maid 
of Astolatwhen Launcelot should depart, 
and how she died for his love. 

My lord Sir Launcelot, now I see ye 
will depart, now, fair knight and cour- 
teous knight, have mercy upon me, and 
suffer me not to die for thy love. What 
would ye that I did ? said Sir Launcelot. 
I would have you to my husband, said 
Elaine. Fair damsel, I thank you, said 
Sir Launcelot, but truly, said he, I cast 
me never to be wedded man. Then, 
fair knight, said she, will ye be my 
love? Jesu defend me, said Sir Laun- 
celot, for then I rewarded to your father 
and your brother full evil for their 
great goodness. Alas, said she, then 
must 1 die for your love. Ye shall not 
so, said Sir Launcelot, for wit ye well, 
fair maiden, I might have been married 
and I had would, but I never applied 
me to be married yet. But because, 
fair damsel, that ye love me as ye say 
ye do, I will, for your good will and 
kindness, shew you some goodness, and 
that is this ; that wheresoever ye will 
beset your heart upon some good 
knight that will wed you, I shall give 
you together a thousand pound yearly, 
to you and to your heirs. Thus much 
will I give you, fair madam, for your 
kindness, and always while I live to 
be your own knight. Of all this, said 
the maiden, I will none, for, but if ye 
will wed me, or else be my lover, wit 
you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days 
are done. Fair damsel, said Sir Laun- 
celot, of these two things ye must 
pardon me. Then she shrieked shrilly, 
and fell down in a swoon; and then 
women bare her into her chamber, and 
there she made overmuch sorrow. And 
then Sir Launcelot would depart; and 
there he asked Sir Lavaine what he 



would do. What should I do, said Sir 
Lavaine, but follow you, but if ye drive 
me from you, or command me to go 
from you? Then came Sir Bernard to 
Sir Launcelot, and said to him, I cannot 
see but that my daughter Elaine will 
die for your sake. I may not do withal, 
said Sir Launcelot, for that me sore re- 
penteth ; for I report me to yourself 
that my proffer is fair, and me repent- 
eth, said Sir Launcelot, that she loveth 
me as she doth : I was never the causer 
of it, for I report me to your son,' I 
early nor late proffered her bounty nor 
fair behests ; and as for me, said Sir 
i Launcelot, I dare do all that a good 
knight should do, that she is a true 
maiden, both for deed and for will ; and 
I am right heavy of her distress, for she 
is a full fair maiden, good, and gentle, 
and well taught. Father, said Sir La- 
vaine, I dare make good she is pure and 
good as my lord Sir Launcelot hath 
said ; but she doth as I do, for since I 
first saw my lord Sir Launcelot I could 
never depart from him, nor nought I 
will and I may follow him. Then Sir 
Launcelot took his leave, and so they 
departed, and came unto Winchester. 
And when Arthur wist that Sir Launce- 
lot was come, whole and sound, the 
king made great joy of him, and so did 
Sir Gawaine, and all the knights of the 
Round Table except Sir Agravaine and 
Sir Mordred. Also queen Guenever 
was wood wroth with Sir Launcelot, 
and would by no means speak with 
him, but estranged herself from him, 
and Sir Launcelot made all the means 
that he might to speak with the queen, 
but it would not be. 

Now speak we of the fair maiden of 
Astolat, that made such sorrow day 
and night, that she never slept, eat, nor 
drank; and ever she made her com- 
plaint unto Sir Launcelot. So when 
she had thus endured a ten days, that 
she feebled so that she must needs 
pass out of this world, then she shrived 
her clean, and received her Creator. 
And ever she complained still upon Sir 
Launcelot. Then her ghostly father 
bade her leave such thoughts. Then 



CHAP. XIX. 



HOW THE MAID OF ASTOLAT DIED. 



433 



she said, Why should I leave such 
thoughts ? am I not an earthly woman ? 
and all the while the breath is in my 
body I may complain me, for my belief 
is I do none offence though I love an 
earthly man, and I take God to my 
record I never loved none but Sir Laun- 
celot du Lake, nor never shall ; and a 
pure maiden I am for him and for all 
other. And since it is the sufferance of 
God that I shall die for the love of so 
noble a knight, I beseech the High 
Father of heaven to have mercy upon 
my soul, and upon mine innumerable 
pains that I suffered may be allegiance 
of part of my sins. For sweet Lord 
Jesu, said the fair maiden, I take thee 
to record, on thee I was never great 
offender against thy laws, but that I 
loved this noble knight Sir Launcelot 
out of measure, and of myself, good 
Lord, I might not withstand the fervent 
love wherefore I have my death. And 
then she called her father Sir Bernard, 
and her brother Sir Tine, and heartily 
she prayed her father that her brother 
might write a letter like as she did 
endite it; and so her father granted 
her. And when the letter was written 
word by word like as she devised, then 
she prayed her father that she might be 
watched until she were dead, — And 
while my body is hot, let this letter be 
put in my right hand, and my hand 
bound fast with the letter until that 
I be cold, and let me be put in a fair 
bed, with all the richest clothes that 
I have about me, and so let my bed, 
and all my richest clothes, be laid with 
me in a chariot unto the next place 
where Thames is, and there let me be 
put within a barget, and but one man 
with me, such as ye trust to steer me 
thither, and that my barget be covered 
with black samite, over and over. Thus, 
father, I beseech you, let it be done. 
So her father granted it her faithfully, 
all things should be done like as she 
had devised. Then her father and her 
brother made great dole, for, when this 
was done, anon she died. And so when 
she was dead, the corpse, and the 
bed, all was led the next way unto 



Thames, and there a man, and the 
corpse, and all, were put into Thames, 
and so the man steered the barget unto 
Westminster, and there he rowed a 
great while to and fro or any espied it. 

CHAP. XX. 

How the corpse of the maid of Astolat 
arrived tofore king Arthur, and of the 
bj/rying, and how Sir Launcelot offered 
the mass-penny. 

So by fortune king Arthur and the 
queen Guenever were speaking together 
at a window ; and so as they looked 
into Thames, they espied this black 
barget, and had marvel what it meant. 
Then the king called Sir Kay, and 
shewed it him. Sir, said Sir Kay, wit 
you well there is some new tidings. Go 
thither, said the king to Sir Kay, and 
take with you Sir Brandiles and Agra- 
vaine, and bring me ready word what is 
there. Then these three knights de- 
parted, and came to the barget, and 
went in ; and there they found the 
fairest corpse lying in a rich bed, and a 
poor man sitting in the barget's end, 
and no word would he speak. So these 
three knights returned unto the king , 
again, and told him what they found. 
That fair corpse will I see, said the 
king. And so then the king took the 
queen by the hand and went thither. 
Then the king made the barget to be 
holden fast ; and then the king and the 
queen entered, with certain knights with 
them. And there he saw the fairest 
woman lie in a rich bed, covered unto 
her middle with many rich clothes, and 
all was of cloth of gold, and she lay as 
though she had smiled. Then the queen ' 
espied a letter in her right hand, and 
told it to the king. Then the king took 
it, and said. Now I am sure this letter 
will tell what she was, and why she is 
come hither. Then the king and the 
queen went out of the barget, and so 
commanded a certain man to wait upon 
the barget. And so when the king was 
come within his chamber, he called 
many knights about him, and said that 
he would wit openly what was written 



432 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVIII. 



within that letter. Then the king brake 
it, and made a clerk to read it ; and this 
was the intent of the letter: — Most 
noble knight, Sir Launcelot, now hath 
death made us two at debate for your 
love ; I was your lover, that men called 
the fair maiden of Astolat; therefore 
unto all ladies I make my moan; yet 
pray for my soul, and bury me at the 
least, and offer ye my mass-penny. This 
is my last request. And a clean maiden 
I died, I take God to witness. Pray for 
my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art 
peerless. — This was all the substance in 
the letter. And when it was read, the 
king, the queen, and all the knights 
wept for pity of the doleful complaints. 
Then was Sir Launcelot sent for. And 
when he was come, king Arthur made 
the letter to be read to him ; and when 
Sir Launcelot heard it word by word, 
he said. My lord Arthur, wit ye well 
I am right heavy of the death of this 
fair damsel. God knoweth I was never 
causer of her death by my willing, and 
that will I report me to her own 
brother ; here he is. Sir Lavaine. I will 
not say nay, said Sir Launcelot, but 
that she was both fair and good, and 
much I was beholden unto her, but she 
loved me out of measure. Ye might 
have shewed her, said the queen, some 
bounty and gentleness, that might have 
preserved her life. Madam, said Sir 
Launcelot, she would none other way 
be answered, but that she would be my 
wife, or else my love, and of these two 
I would not grant her ; but I proffered 
her, for her good love that she shewed 
me, a thousand pound yearly to her and 
to her heirs, and to wed any manner 
knight that she could find best to love 
in her heart. For, madam, said Sir 
Launcelot, I love not to be constrained 
to love ; for love must arise of the 
heart, and not by no constraint. That 
is truth, said the king, and many 
knights : love is free in himself, and 
never will be bounden ; for where he is 
bounden he loseth himself. Then said 
the king unto Sir Launcelot, It will be 
your worship that ye oversee that she 
be interred worshipfully. Sir, said Sir 



Laimcelot, that shall be done as I can 
best devise. And so many knights 
went thither to behold that fair maiden. 
And so upon the morn she was interred 
richly, and Sir Launcelot offered her 
mass-penny, and all the knights of the 
Table Round that were there at that 
time offered with Sir Launcelot. And 
then the poor man went again with the 
barget. Then the queen sent for Sir 
Launcelot, and prayed him of mercy, 
for why she had been wroth with him 
causeless. This is not the first time, 
said Sir Launcelot, that ye have been 
displeased with me causeless ; but, 
madam, ever I must suffer you, but 
what sorrow I endure I take no force. 
So this passed on all that winter, with 
all manner of hunting and hawking, and 
justs and tourneys were many betwixt 
many great lords ; and ever in all places 
Sir Lavaine gat great worship, so that 
he was nobly renowned among many 
knights of the Table Round. 

CHAP. XXL 

Of great justs done oil a Christmas, and 
of a great justs and tourney ordained by 
king Arthur, and of Sir Launcelot. 

Thus it passed on till Christmas, and 
every day there was justs made for a 
diamond, who that justed best should 
have a diamond. But Sir Launcelot 
would not just, but if it were at a great 
justs cried. But Sir Lavaine justed 
there all that Christmas passing well, 
and best was praised; for there were 
but few that did so well. Wherefore 
all manner of knights deemed that Sir 
Lavaine should be made knight of the 
Round Table at the next feast of Pente- 
cost. So at after Christmas king Ar- 
thur let call unto him many knights, and 
there they advised together to make a 
party and a great tournament and justs. 
And the king of Northgalis said to 
Arthur he would have on his party 
king Anguish of Ireland, and the king 
with the hundred knights, and the king 
of Northumberland, and Sir Galahalt 
the haut prince ; and so these four 
kings and this mighty duke took party 



CHAP. XXII. 



OF A HUNTRESS AT A WELL. 



433 



against king Arthur and the knights of 
the Table Round. And the cry was 
made that the day of the justs should 
be beside Westminster on Candlemas 
day, whereof many knights were glad, 
and made them ready to be at that justs 
in the freshest manner. Then queen 
Guenever sent for Sir Launcelot, and 
said thus : I warn you that ye ride no 
more in no justs nor tournaments, but 
that your kinsmen may know you. And 
at these justs that shall be, ye shall have 
of me a sleeve of gold ; and I pray you, 
for my sake, enforce yourself there that 
men may speak of you worship. But I 
charge you as ye will have my love, that 
ye warn your kinsmen that ye will bear 
that day the sleeve of gold upon your 
helmet. ' Madam, said Sir Launcelot, it 
shall be done. And so either made 
great joy of other. And when Sir 
Launcelot saw his time, he told Sir 
Bors that he would depart, and have no 
more with him but Sir Lavaine, unto the 
good hermit that dwelled in the forest 
of Windsor, his name was Sir Brastias, 
and there he thought to repose him, and 
to take all the rest that he might, be- 
cause he would be fresh at that day of 
justs. So Sir Launcelot and Sir La- 
vaine departed, that no creature wist 
where he was become, but the noble 
men of his blood. And when he was 
come to the hermitage, wit you well he 
had good cheer. And so daily Sir 
Launcelot would go to a well fast by 
the hermitage, and there he would lie 
down, and see the well spring and 
bubble, and sometime he slept there. 
So at that time there was a lady dwelled 
in that forest, and she was a great 
huntress, and daily she used to hunt, 
and always she bare her bow with her ; 
and no men went never with her, but 
always women, and they were shooters, 
and could well kill a deer, both at the 
stalk and at the trest ; and they daily 
bare bows and arrows, horns and wood- 
knives, and many good dogs they had, 
both for the string and for a bait. 
So it happed that this lady, the hunt- 
ress, had baited her dogs for the bow 
at a barren hind, and so this barren 



hind took her flight over heaths and 
woods, and ever this lady and part of 
her gentlewomen coasted the hind, and 
checked it by the noise of the hounds, 
to have met with the hind at some 
water. And so it happed the hind 
came to the well whereas Sir Launcelot 
was sleeping and slumbering. And so 
when the hind came to the well, for 
heat she went to soil, and there she lay 
a great while ; and the dogs came fast 
after, and umbecast about, for she had 
lost the very perfect track of the hind. 
Right so, there came that lady the hunt- 
ress, that knew by the dog that she had 
that the hind was at the soil in that well. 
And there she came stiffly, and found j 
the hind, and she put a broad arrow in 
her bow, and shot at the hind, and over- 
shot the hind, and so, by misfortune, the 
arrow smote Sir Launcelot in the thick 
of the thigh, over the barbs. When Sir 
Launcelot felt himself so hurt, he hurled 
up woodly, and saw the lady that had 
smitten him. And when he saw she was 
a woman, he said thus. Lady, or damsel, 
what that thou be, in an evil time bare 
ye a bow, the devil made you a shooter, 

CHAP. XXIL 

How Lazmcelot after that he was hurt of a 
gentlewoman came to an hermit, and of 
other matters. 

Now mercy, fair sir, said the lady, 
I am a gentlewoman that useth here in 
this forest hunting, and truly I saw you 
not, but as here was a barren hind at 
the soil in this well, and I wend to have 
done well, but my hand swerved. Alas, 
said Sir Launcelot, ye have mischieved 
me. And so the lady departed, and Sir 
Launcelot, as well as he might, pulled 
out the arrow, and the head abode still 
in his thigh ; and so he went weakly to 
the hermitage, evermore bleeding as he 
went. And when Sir Lavaine and the 
hermit espied that Sir Launcelot was 
hurt, wit you well they were passing 
heavy : but Sir Lavaine nor the hermit 
wist not how he was hurt, nor by 
whom. And then they were wrotli out 
of measure. Then with great pain the 



28 



434 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK x\nn. 



hermit gat out the arrow's head out 
of Sir Launcelot's thigh, and much of 
his blood he shed, and the wound 
was passing sore, and unhappily smit- 
ten; for it was in such a place that 
he might not sit in no saddle. Ah, 
mercy, said Sir Launcelot, I call myself 
the most unhappiest man that liveth ; 
for ever when I would fainest have 
worship, there befalleth me ever some 
unhappy thing. Now, so heaven me 
help, I shall be in the field upon Can- 
dlemas day at the justs, whatsoever fall 
of it. So all that might be gotten to 
heal Sir Launcelot was had. So when 
the day was come. Sir Launcelot let 
devise that he was arrayed, and Sir La- 
vaine, and their horses, as though they 
had been Saracens. And so they de- 
parted, and came nigh to the field. 
The king of Northgalis with an hundred 
knights with him, and the king of 
Northumberland brought with him an 
hundred good knights, and king An- 
guish of Ireland brought with him an 
hundred good knights ready to just, and 
Sir Galahalt the haut prince brought 
with him an hundred good knights, and 
the king with the hundred knights 
brought with him as many; and all 
these were proved good knights. Then 
came in king Arthur's party, and there 
came in the king of Scots with an 
hundred knights, and king Uriens of 
Gore brought with him an hundred 
good knights, and king Howel of Bri- 
tanny brought with him an hundred 
knights. And Chalance of Clarance 
brought with him an hundred knights, 
and king Arthur himself came into the 
field with two hundred knights, and the 
most part were knights of the Table 
Round that were proved noble knights. 
And there were old knights set in scaf- 
folds, for to judge with the queen who 
did best. 

CHAP. XXIIL 

How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the 

justs, and other men also. 

Then they blew to the field, and there 
the king of Northgalis encountered with 
the king of Scots, and there the king of 



Scots had a fall, and the king of Ireland 
smote down king Uriens, and the king 
of Northumberland smote down king 
Howel of Britanny, and Sir Galahalt, 
the haut prince, smote down Chalance 
of Clarance. And then king Arthur 
was wood wroth, and ran to the king 
with the himdred knights, and there 
king Arthur smote him down, and after 
witli that same spear king Arthur smote 
down three other knights. And then 
when his spear was broken king Arthur 
did passing well. And so therewithal 
came in Sir Gawaine, and Sir Gaheris, 
Sir Agravaine, and Sir Mordred, and 
there every each of them smote down a 
knight, and Sir Gawaine smote down 
four knights. And then there began a 
strong meddle, for then there 'came in 
the knights of Launcelot's blood, and 
Sir Gareth and Sir Palamides with them, 
and many knights of the Table Round, 
and they began to hold the four kings 
and the mighty duke so hard that they 
were discomfit, but this duke Galahalt 
the haut prince was a noble knight, and 
by his mighty prowess of arms he held 
the knights of the Table Round straight 
enough. All this doing saw Sir Laun- 
celot, and then he came into the field 
with Sir Lavaine, as it had been thunder. 
And then anon Sir Bors and the knights 
of his blood espied Sir Launcelot, and 
said to them all, I warn you beware of 
him with the sleeve of gold upon his 
head, for he is himself Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. And for great goodness Sir Bors 
warned Sir Gareth. I am well apayed, 
said Sir Gareth, that I may know him. 
But who is he, said they all, that rideth 
"with him in the same array? That is 
the good and gentle knight Sir Lavaine, 
said Sir Bors. So Sir Launcelot en- 
countered with Sir Gawaine, and there 
l)y force Sir Launcelot smote down Sir 
Gawaine and his horse to the earth, and 
so he smote down Sir Agravaine and 
Sir Gaheris, and also he smote down 
Sir Mordred, and all this was with one 
spear. Then Sir Lavaine met with Sir 
Palamides, and either met other so hard 
and so fiercely that both their horses fell 
to the earth. And then were they horsed 



CHAP. XXIV. 



OF THE JUSTS AT CANDLEMAS. 



435 



again, and then met Sir Launcelot with 
Sir Palamides, and there Sir Palamides 
had a fall. And so Sir Launcelot, or 
ever he stint, as fast as he might get 
spears, he smote down thirty knights, 
and the most part of them were knights 
of the Table Round. And ever the 
knights of his blood withdrew them, 
and made them ado in other places where 
Sir Launcelot came not ; and then king 
Arthur was wroth when he saw Sir 
Launcelot do such deeds, and then the 
king called unto him Sir Gawaine, Sir 
Mordied, Sir Kay, Sir Griflet, Sir Lucan 
the butler, Sir Bedivere, Sir Palamides, 
and Safere his brother ; and so the king 
with these nine knights made them ready 
to set upon Sir Launcelot and upon Sir 
Lavaine. All this espied Sir Bors and 
Sir Gareth. Now I dread me sore, said 
Sir Bors, that my lord Sir Launcelot 
will be hard matched. By my head, 
said Sir Gareth, I will ride unto my lord 
Sir Launcelot for to help him, fall of 
him what may, for he is the same man 
that made me knight. Ye shall not so, 
said Sir Bors, by my counsel, unless that 
ye were disguised. Ye shall see me dis- 
guised, said Sir Gareth ; and therewithal 
he espied a Welsh knight where he was 
to repose himself, and he was sore hurt 
afore by Sir Gawaine, and to him Sir 
Gareth rode, and prayed him of his 
knighthood to lend him his shield for 
his. I will well, said the Welsh knight. 
And when Sir Gareth had his shield, 
the book saith, it was green, with a 
maiden that seemed in it. Then Sir 
Gareth came driving to Sir Launcelot 
all that he might, and said. Knight, 
keep thyself, for yonder cometh king 
Arthur with nine noble knights with 
him to put you to a rebuke, and so I 
am come to bear you fellowship for old 
love ye have shewed me. Gramercy, 
said Sir Launcelot. Sir, said Sir Gareth, 
encounter ye with Sir Gawaine, and I 
shall encounter with Sir Palamides, and 
let Sir Lavaine match with the noble 
king Arthur. And when we have de- 
livered them, let us three hold us sadly 
together. Then came king Arthur with 
his nine knij^hts with him, and Sir Laun- 



celot encountered with Sir Gawaine, and 
gave him such a buffet that the bow of 
his saddle brast, and Sir Gawaine fell to 
the earth. Then Sir Gareth encountered 
with the good knight Sir Palamides, and 
he gave him such a buffet that loth his 
horse and he dashed to the earth. Then 
encountered king Arthur with Sir La- 
vaine, and there either of them smote 
other to the earth, hoi-se and all, that 
they lay a great while. Then Sir Laun- 
celot smote down Sir Agravaine, and 
Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred. And Sir 
Gareth smote down Sir Kay, Sir Safere, 
and Sir Griflet. And then Sir Lavaine 
was horsed again, and he smote down 
Sir Lucan the butler, and Sir Bedivere, 
and then there began great throng of 
good knights. Then Sir Launcelot 
hurtled here and there, and rased and 
pulled off helms, so that at that time 
there might none sit him a buffet with 
spear nor with sword. And Sir Gareth 
did such deeds of amis that all men 
wondered what knight he was with the 
green shield; for he smote down that 
day and pulled down more than thirty 
knights. And, as the French book saith. 
Sir Launcelot marvelled, when he beheld 
Sir Gareth do such deeds, what knight 
he might be: and Sir Lavaine pulled 
down and smote down twenty knights. 
Also Sir Launcelot knew not Sir Gareth, 
for, and Sir Tristram de Liones or Sir 
Lamorak de Galis had been alive, Sir 
Launcelot would have deemed he had 
been one of them twain. So ever as 
Sir Launcelot, Sir Gareth, Sir Lavaine, 
fought, and on the one side Sir Bors, 
Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Lionel, Sir La- 
morak de Galis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Gali- 
hud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Pelleas, and with 
more other of king Ban's blood, fought 
upon another party, and held the king 
with the hundred knights, and also the 
king of Northumberland, right straight. 

CHAP. XXIV. 

How king Arthur marvelled much of the 
justing in the field, and how he rode 
and found Sir Launcelot. 

So this tournament and this justs 



a8- 



43^ 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XVIII. 



dured long, till it was near night, for 
the knights of the Round Table re- 
lieved ever unto king Arthur; for the 
king was wroth out of measure that he 
and his knights might not prevail that 
day. Then Sir Gawaine said to the 
king, I mai-vel where all this day Sir 
Bors de Ganis and his fellowship of 
Sir Launcelot's blood be. I marvel all 
this day they be not about you. It is 
for some cause, said Sir Gawaine. By 
my head, said Sir Kay, Sir Bors is yon- 
der all this day upon the right hand of 
this field, and there he and his blood 
done more worshipfully than we do. 
It may well be, said Sir Gawaine, but I 
dread me ever of guile, for on pain of my 
life, said Sir Gawaine, this knight with 
the red sleeve of gold is himself Sir 
Launcelot, I see well by his riding and 
by his great strokes, and the other 
knight in the same colour is the good 
young knight Sir Lavaine. Also that 
knight with the green shield is my 
brother Sir Gareth, and yet he hath dis- 
guised himself, for no man shall never 
make him be against Sir Launcelot, 
because he made him knight. By my 
head, said Arthur, nephew, I believe 
you, therefore tell me now what is your 
best counsel? Sir, said Sir Gawaine, ye 
shall have my counsel. Let blow unto 
lodging, for, and he be Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, and my brother Sir Gareth 
with him, with the help of that good 
young knight Sir Lavaine, trust me 
truly it will be no boot to strive with 
them, but if we should fall ten or twelve 
upon one knight, and that were no wor- 
ship, but shame. Ye say truth, said the 
king, and for to say sooth, said the king, 
it were shame to us, so many as we be, 
to set upon them any more. For wit ye 
well, said the king, they be three good 
knights, and namely that knight with 
the sleeve of gold. So then they blew 
unto lodging ; but forthwithal king Ar- 
thur let send unto the four kings, and 
to the mighty duke, and prayed them 
that the knight with the sleeve of gold 
depart not from them, but that the king 
may speak with him. Then forth- 
withal king Arthur alight, and unarmed 



him, and took a little hackney, and rode 
after Sir Launcelot, for ever he had a 
spy upon him ; and so he found him 
among the four kings and the duke, 
and there the king prayed them all unto 
supper. And they said they would with 
good will. And so when they were 
unarmed, then king Arthur knew Sir 
Launcelot, Sir Lavaine, and Sir Gareth. 
Ah Sir Launcelot, said king Arthur, this 
day ye have heated me and my knights. 
So they went unto Arthur's lodging all 
together, and there was a great feast 
and great revel, and the prize was given 
unto Sir Launcelot, and by heralds they 
named him that he had smitten down 
fifty knights, and Sir Gareth five and 
thirty, and Sir Lavaine four and twenty 
knights. Then Sir Launcelot told the 
king and the queen how the lady hunt- 
ress shot him in the forest of Windsor 
in the thigh with a broad arrow, and 
how the wound thereof was that time 
six inches deep, and in like long. Also 
Arthur blamed Sir Gareth, because he 
left his fellowship and held with Sir 
Launcelot. My lord, said Sir Gareth, 
he made me a knight, and when I saw 
him so hard bestad, me thought it was 
my worship to help him, for I saw him 
do so much, and so many noble knights 
against him. And when I understood 
that he was Sir Launcelot du Lake I 
shamed to see so many knights against 
him alone. Truly, said king Arthur 
unto Sir Gareth, ye say well, and wor- 
shipfully have ye done, and to yourself 
great worship, and all the days of my 
life, said king Arthur unto Sir Gareth, 
wit you well I shall love you and trust 
you the more better. For ever, said Ar- 
thur, it is a worshipful knight's deed to 
help another worshipful knight when he 
seeth him in a great danger, for ever a 
worshipful man will be loth to see a 
worshipful shamed, and he that is of no 
worship, and fareth with cowardice, never 
shall he shew gentleness, nor no manner 
of goodness, where he seeth a man in 
any danger, for then ever will a coward 
shew no mercy, and always a good man 
will do ever to another man as he would 
be done to himself. So then there were 



QUEEN GUENEVER GOES ON MAYING. 



437 



great feasts unto kings and dukes ; and 
revel, game, and play, and all manner 
of nobleness was used ; and he that was 
courteous, true, and faithful to his friend, 
was that time cherished. 

CHAP. XXV. 

How true love is likened to summer. 

And thus it passed on from Candlemas 
until after Easter, that the month of 
May was come, when every lusty heart 
beginneth to blossom and to bring 
forth fruit ; for like as herbs and trees 
bring forth fruit and flourish in May, 
in likewise every lusty heart, that is in 
any manner a lover, springeth and 
flourisheth in lusty deeds. For it giveth 
unto all lovers courage, that lusty 
month of May, in some thing to con- 
strain him to some manner of thing, 
more in that month than in any other 
month, for divers causes. For then all 
herbs and trees renew a man and 
woman, and in likewise lovers call 
again to their mind old gentleness and 
old service, and many kind deeds that 
were forgotten by negligence. For like 
as winter rasure doth always arase and 
deface green summer, so fareth it by 
unstable love in man and woman. For 
in many persons there is no stability, 
for we may see all day, for a little blast 
of winter's rasure, anon we shall deface 
and lay apart true love for little or 
nought, that cost much thing. This is 
no wisdom nor stability, but it is feeble- 



ness of nature and great disworship 
whosoever useth this. Therefore, like 
as May month flowereth and flourisheth 
in many gardens, so in likewise let 
every man of worship flourish his heart 
in this world, first unto God, and next 
unto the joy of them that he promised 
his faith unto, for there was never wor- 
shipful man nor worshipful woman, but 
they loved one better than another: 
and worship in arms may never be foiled, 
but first reserve the honour to God, and 
secondly the quarrel must come of thy 
lady : and such love I call virtuous love. 
But now-a-days men cannot love seven 
night but they must have all their 
desires, that love may not endure by 
reason ; for where they be soon ac- 
corded, and hasty heat, soon it cooleth. 
Right so fareth love now-a-days; soon 
hot, soon cold. This is no stability, 
but the old love was not so. Men and 
women could love together seven years, 
and no wanton lusts were between 
them, and then was love truth and 
faithfulness. And lo in likewise was 
used love in king Arthur's days. Where- 
fore I liken love now-a-days unto 
summer and winter. For like as the 
one is hot and the other cold, so fareth 
love now-a-days. Therefore all ye that 
be lovers call unto your remembrance 
the month of May, like as did queen 
Guenever. For whom I make here a 
little mention, that while she lived she 
was a true lover, and therefore she had 
a good end. 



iSjcpUcit lii&cr ^ctotjecimug. ^nt) j^crc foloiuetj^ M^tx xii. 



W^t igineteentfi 33ooL 



CHAP. I. 

How queen Guenever rode on Maying 
with certain knights of the Round Table 
and clad all in green. 

So it befell in the month of May, 
queen Guenever called unto her knights 



of the Table Round, and she gave 
them warning that early upon the mor- 
row she would ride on maying into 
woods and fields beside Westminster. — 
And I warn you that there be none of 
you but that he be well horsed, and 
that ye all be clothed in green, either 



438 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



in silk, either in cloth, and I shall 
bring with me ten ladies, and every 
knight shall have a lady behind him, 
and every knight shall have a squire 
and two yeomen, and I will that ye all 
be well horsed. So they made them 
ready in the freshest manner, and these 
were the names of the knights : Sir Kay 
the seneschal. Sir Agravaine, Sir Bran- 
diles, SirSagramor le Desirous, Sir Do- 
dinas le Savage, Sir Ozanna le Cure 
Hardy, Sir Ladinas of the Forest Savage, 
Sir Persant of Inde, Sir Ironside that 
was called the knight of the red lawns, 
and Sir Pelleas the lover, and these 
ten knights made them ready in the 
freshest manner to ride with the queen. 
And so upon the morn they took their 
horses, with the queen, and rode on 
maying in woods and meadows, as it 
pleased them, in great joy and delights : 
for the queen had cast to have been 
again with king Arthur at the furthest 
by ten of the clock, and so was that 
time her purpose. Then there was a 
knight, that hight Meliagrance, and he 
was son unto king Bagdemagus, and 
this knight had at that time a castle, of 
the gift of king Arthur, within seven 
mile of ^Yestminster ; and this knight 
Sir Meliagrance loved passing • well 
queen Guenever, and so had he done 
long and many years. And the book 
saith he had lain in a wait for to steal 
away the queen, but evermore he for- 
bare for because of Sir Launcelot, for 
in no wise he would meddle with the 
queen, and Sir Launcelot were in her 
company, or else and he were near 
hand her. And that time was such a 
custom the queen rode never without 
a great fellowship of men of arms about 
her ; and they were many good knights, 
and the most part were young men 
that would have worship, and they were 
called the queen's knights, and never 
in no battle, tournament, nor justs, they 
bare none of them no manner of know- 
ledging of their own arms, but plain 
white shields, and thereby they were 
called the queen's knights. And then 
when it happed any of them to be 
of great worship by his noble deeds. 



then at the next feast of Pentecost, if 
there were any slain or dead, as there 
was no year that there failed but some 
were dead, then was there chosen in his 
stead that was dead the most men of 
worship that were called the queen's 
knights. And thus they came up all 
first, or they were renowned men of 
worship, both Sir Launcelot and all the 
remnant of them. But this knight, Sir 
Meliagiance, had espied the queen well 
and her purpose, and how Sir Launcelot 
was not with her, and how she had no 
men of arms with her but the ten noble 
knights all arrayed in green for maying. 
Then he provided him a twenty men of 
arms and an hundred archers, for to 
destroy the queen and her knights, for 
he thought that time was the best 
season to take the queen. 

CHAP. n. 

How Sir Meliagraunce toolt the queen and 
all her knights, which were sore hurt 
in jighting. 

So as the queen had mayed and all 
her knights, all were bedashed with 
herbs, mosses, and flowers, in the best 
manner and freshest. Right so came 
out of a wood Sir Meliagrance with an 
eight score men well harnessed, as they 
should fight in a battle of arrest, and 
bad the queen and her knights abide, 
for maugre their heads tliey should 
abide. Traitor knight, said queen Gue- 
never, what castest thou for to do ? Wilt 
thou shame thyself ? Bethink thee how 
thou art a king's son, and knight of the 
Table Round, and thou to be about to 
dishonour the noble king that made 
thee knight : thou shamest all knight- 
hood and thyself, and me, I let thee 
wit, shalt thou never shame, for I had 
lever cut my throat in twain than thou 
shouldest dishonour me. As for all this 
language, said Sir Meliagrance, be it 
as it may, for wit you well, madam, 
I have loved you many a year, and 
never or now could I get you at such 
an advantage as I do now, and therefore 
I will take you as I find you. Then 
spake all the ten noble knights at once, 



SHE IS TAKEN PRISONER. 



439 



and said, Sir Meliagrance, wit thou 
well ye are about to jeopard your wor- 
ship to dishonour, and also ye cast to 
jeopard our persons; hovvbeit we be 
unarmed, ye have us at a great avail, 
for it seemeth by you that ye have laid 
watch upon us, but rather then ye 
should put the queen to shame, and 
us all, we had as lief to depart from 
our lives, for and if we other ways did 
we were shamed for ever. Then Sir 
Meliagrance said, Dress you as well as 
ye can, and keep the queen. Then the 
ten knights of the Table Round drew 
their swords, and the other let run at 
them with their spears, and the ten 
knights manly abode them, and smote 
away their spears, that no spear did 
them none harm. Then they lashed 
together with swords, and alion Sir Kay, 
Sir Sagramor, Sir Agravaine, Sir Dodi- 
nas. Sir Ladinas, and Sir Ozanna, were 
smitten to the earth with grimly wounds. 
Then Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant, 
Sir Ironside, Sir Pelleas, fought long, 
and they were sore wounded : for these 
ten knights, or ever they were laid to 
the ground, slew forty men of the boldest 
and the best of them. So when the 
queen saw her knights thus dolefully 
wounded, and needs must be slain at 
the last, then for pity and sorrow she 
cried, Sir Meliagrance, slay not my 
noble knights, and I will go with thee 
upon this covenant, that thou save 
them, and suffer them not to be no 
more hurt, with this, that they be led 
with me wheresoever thou leadest me ; 
for I will rather slay myself than I will 
go with thee, unless that these my 
noble knights may be in my presence. 
Madam, said Meliagrance, for your sake 
they shall be led with you into mine 
own castle, with that ye will be ruled 
and ride with me. Then the queen 
prayed the four knights to leave their 
fighting, and she and they would not 
part. Madam, said Sir Pelleas, we will 
do as ye do, for as for me I take no 
force of my life nor death. For, as the 
French book saith. Sir Pelleas gave 
such buffets there that none armour 
might hold him. 



CHAP. III. 

How Sir Launcelot had word how the 
queen was taken, and how Sir Melia- 
graunce laid a bushment for Launce- 
lot. 

Then by the queen's commandment 
they left battle, and dressed the wounded 
knights on horseback, some sitting, 
some overthwart their horses, that it 
was pity to behold them. And then 
Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and 
all her knights that none of all her 
fellowship should depart from her ; for 
full sore he drad Sir Launcelot du Lake, 
lest he should have any knowledging. 
All this espied the queen, and privily she 
called unto her a child of her chamber, 
that was swiftly horsed, to whom she 
said, Go thou, when thou seest thy 
time, and bear this ring unto Sir Launce- 
lot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth 
me, that he will see me, and rescue me 
if ever he will have joy of me ; and 
spare thou not thy horse, said the queen, 
neither for water, neither for land. So 
the child espied his time, and lightly 
he took his horse with the spurs, and 
departed as fast as he might. And 
when Sir Meliagrance saw him so flee, 
he understood that it was by the queen's 
commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot. 
Then they that were best horsed chased 
him, and shot at him, but from them all 
the child went suddenly; and then Sir Me- 
liagrance said unto the queen. Madam, 
ye are about to betray me, but I shall 
ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall 
not come lightly at you. And then he 
rode with her and they all to his castle 
in all the haste that he might. And 
by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an 
enbushment the best archers that he 
might get in his country, to the num- 
ber of a thirty, to await upon Sir 
Launcelot, charging them that if they 
saw such a manner of knight come by 
the way upon a white horse, that in 
any wise they slay his horse, but in no 
manner of wise have not ado with him 
bodily, for he is over hard to be over- 
come. So this was done, and they were 
come to his castle, but in no wise the 



440 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



queen would never let none of the ten 
knights and her ladies out of her sight, 
but always they were in her presence, 
for the book saith Sir Meliagrance durst 
make no masteries for dread of Sir 
Launcelot, in so much he deemed that 
he had warning. So when the child 
was departed from the fellowship of 
Sir Meliagrance, within awhile he came 
to Westminster. And anon he found 
Sir Launcelot. And when he had told 
his message, and delivered him the 
queen's ring, Alas, said Sir Launcelot, 
now am I shamed for ever, unless that 
I may rescue that noble lady from dis- 
honour. Then eagerly he asked his 
armour, and ever the child told Sir 
Launcelot how the ten knights fought 
marvellously, and how Sir Pelleas, and 
Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir 
Persant of Inde, fought strongly, but 
namely Sir Pelleas, there might none 
withstand him, and how they all fought 
till at the last they were laid to the 
earth, and then the queen made ap- 
pointment for to save their lives, and 
go with Sir Meliagrance. Alas, said 
Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, 
that she should be so destroyed ! I had 
level-, said Sir Launcelot, than all France 
that I had been there well armed. So 
when Sir Launcelot was armed and 
upon his horse, he prayed the child 
of the queen's chamber to warn Sir 
Lavaine how suddenly he was departed, 
and for what cause, — And pray him, 
as he loveth me, that he will hje him 
after me, and that he stint not until 
he come to the castle where Sir Melia- 
grance abideth or dwelleth, for there, 
said Sir Launcelot, shall he hear of me 
and I am a man living, and rescue the 
queen and the ten knights the which 
he traitorously hath taken, and that 
shall I prove upon his head, and all 
them that hold with him. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain, and 
how Sir Launcelot rode in a cart for to 
rescue the queen. 

Then Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he 



might, and the book saith he took the 
water at Westminster bridge, and made 
his horse to swim over Thames to Lam- 
beth. And then within a while he came 
to the place there as the ten knights had 
fought with Sir Meliagrance, and then 
Sir Launcelot followed that track until 
that he came to a wood, and there 
was a strait way, and there the thirty 
archers bad Sir Launcelot turn again, 
and follow no longer that track. What 
commandment have ye thereto, said Sir 
Launcelot, to cause me, that am a knight 
of the Round Table, to leave my right 
way ? This way shalt thou leave, or 
else thou shalt go it on thy foot, for wit 
thou well thy horse shall be slain. That 
is little mastery, said Sir Launcelot, to 
slay my horse, but as for myself, when 
my horse is slain, I give right nought for 
you, not and ye were five hundred more. 
So then they shot Sir Launcelot's horse, 
and smote him with many arrows. And 
then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, 
and went on foot : but there were so 
many ditches and hedges betwixt them 
and him, that he might not meddle with 
none of them. Alas, for shame, said 
Launcelot, that ever one knight should 
betray another knight, but it is an old 
saw, A good man is never in danger but 
when he is in the danger of a coward. 
Then Sir Lauhcelot went a while, and 
then he was foul cumbered of his 
armour, his shield, and his spear, and 
all that longed unto him. Wit ye well 
he was full sore annoyed, and full loth 
he was to leave any thing that longed 
unto him, for he drad sore the treason 
of Sir Meliagrance. And then by for- 
tune there came by a chariot, that came 
thither for to fetch wood. Say me, 
carter, said Sir Launcelot, what shall I 
give thee for to suffer me to leap into 
thy chariot, and that thou bring me unto 
a castle within this two mile? Thou 
shalt not come within my chariot, said 
the carter, for I am sent for to fetch wood 
for my lord Sir Meliagrance. — With 
him would I speak. — Thou shalt not go 
with me, said the carter. Then Sir Laun- 
celot lept to him, and gave him such a 
buffet that he fell to the earth stark dead. 



SIR LAUNCELOT COMES IN A CART. 



441 



Then the other carter his fellow was 
afeard, and wend to have gone the 
same way, and then he cried, Fair lord, 
save my life, and I shall bring you 
where you will. Then I charge thee, 
said Sir Launcelot, that thou drive me 
and this chariot, even unto Sir Melia- 
grance's gate. Leap up iato the cha- 
riot, said the carter, and ye shall be 
there anon. So the carter drove on 
a great wallop, and Sir Launcelot's 
horse followed the chariot, with more 
than a forty arrows broad and rough 
in him: and more than an hour and 
an half dame Guenever was in a bay 
window with her ladies, and espied an 
armed knight standing in a chariot. See 
madam, said a lady, where rideth in a 
chariot a goodly armed knight, I sup- 
pose he rideth unto hanging. Where ? 
said the queen. Then she espied by his 
shield that he was there himself Sir 
Launcelot du Lake. And then she was 
ware where came his horse ever after 
that chariot, and ever he trod his en- 
trails and his paunch under his feet. 
Alas, said the queen, now I see well 
and prove that well is him that hath a 
trusty friend. Ha, a, most noble knight, 
I see well thou art hard bestad when 
thou ridest in a chariot. Then she re- 
buked that lady that likened Sir Laun- 
celot to ride in a chariot to hanging. It 
was foul mouthed, said the queen, and 
evil likened, so for to liken the most 
noble knight of the world unto such a 
shameful death. O Jesu defend him and 
keep him, said the queen, from all mis- 
chievous end ! By this was Sir Launce- 
lot come to the gates of that castle, 
and there he descended down, and cried, 
that all the castle rang of it. Where 
art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, 
and knight of the Table Round? Now 
come forth here thou traitor knight, 
thou and thy fellowship with thee : for 
here I am, Sir Launcelot du Lake, that 
shall fight with you. And therewithal 
he bare the gate wide open upon the 
porter, and smote him under his ear 
with his gauntlet that his neck brast 
in sunder. 



CHAP. V. 

How Sir Meliagraunce required forgive- 
ness of the queen, and how she appeased 
Sir Launcelot, and other matters. 

When Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir 
Launcelot was there, he ran unto queen 
Guenever, and fell upon his knee, and 
said, Mercy, madam, now I put me 
wholly into your grace. What aileth 
you now ? said queen Guenever. For- 
sooth I might well wit some good 
knight would revenge me, though my 
lord Arthur wist not of this your 
work. Madam, said Sir Meliagrance, 
all this that is amiss on my part shall 
be amended right as yourself will de- 
vise, and wholly I put me in your grace. 
What would ye that I did? said the 
queen, I would no more, said Melia- 
grance, but that ye would take all in 
your own hands, and that ye will rule 
my lord Sir Launcelot, and such cheer 
as may be made him in this poor castle 
ye and he shall have until to-morn, and 
then may ye and all they return unto 
Westminster, and my body and all that 
I have I shall put in your rule. Ye say 
well, said the queen, and better is peace 
than ever war, and the less noise the 
more is my worship. Then the queen 
and her ladies went down unto the 
knight Sir Launcelot, that stood wroth 
out of measure in the inner court, to 
abide battle; and ever he bade — Thou 
traitor knight, come forth 1 Then the 
queen came to him and said. Sir Launce- 
lot, why be ye so moved ? Ha, madam, 
said Sir Launcelot, why ask ye me that 
question ? me seemeth, said Sir Launce- 
lot, ye ought to be more wroth than I 
am, for ye have the hurt and the dis- 
honour. For wit ye well, madam, my 
hurt is but little, for the killing of a 
mare's son ; but the despite grieveth me 
much more than all my hurt. Truly, 
said the queen, ye say truth, but heartily 
I thank you, said the queen, but ye must 
come in with me peaceably, for all thing 
is put in my hand, and all that is evil 
shall be for the best, for the knight full 
sore repenteth him of the misadventure 
that is befallen him. Madam, said Sir 



443 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Launcelot, sith it is so that ye are ac- 
corded with him, as for me I may not 
be against it, howbeit Sir Meliagrance 
hath done full shamefully to me, and 
cowardly. Ah, madam, and I had wist 
ye would have been so soon accorded 
with him, I would not have made such 
haste unto you. Why say ye so ? said 
the queen, do ye forlhink yourself of 
your good deeds ? Wit you well, said 
the queen, I accorded never unto him 
for favour nor love that I had unto him, 
but for to lay down every shameful noise. 
Madam, said Sir Launcelot, ye under- 
stand full well I was never willing nor 
glad of shameful slander, nor noise ; and 
there is neither king, queen, nor knight, 
that beareth the life, except my lord 
king Arthur, and you, madam, that 
should let me, but I should make Sir 
Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I 
departed from hence. That I wot well, 
said tlie queen, but what will ye more ? 
ye shall have all thing ruled as ye list to 
have it. Madam, said Sir Launcelot, 
so ye be pleased I care not, as for my 
part ye shall soon please. Right so the 
queen took Sir Launcelot by the bare 
hand, for he had put off his gauntlet, 
and so she went with him till her cham- 
ber ; and then she commanded him to 
be unarmed, and then Sir Launcelot 
asked where the ten knights were that 
were wounded sore. So she shewed 
them unto Sir Launcelot, and there 
they made great joy of the coming of 
him, and Sir Launcelot made great dole 
of their hurts, and bewailed them 
greatly; and there Sir Launcelot told 
them how cowardly and traitorly Me- 
liagrance set archers to slay his horse, 
and how he was fain to put himself 
in a chariot. Thus they complained 
every each to other, and full fain they 
would have been revenged, but they 
peaced themself because of the queen. 
Then, as the French book saith. Sir 
Launcelot was called many a day after, 
Le Chevaler du Chariot, and did many 
deeds, and great adventures he had. 
And so leave w^e of this tale, Le Che- 
valer du Chariot, and turn we to this 
tale. 



So Sir Launcelot had great cheer 
with the queen, and then Sir Launcelot 
made a promise with the queen, that the 
same night Sir Launcelot should come 
to a window outward toward a garden, 
and that window was y-barred with iron ; 
and there Sir Launcelot promised to 
meet her when all folks were on sleep. 
So then came Sir Lavaine, driving to 
the gates, crying, Where is my lord Sir 
Launcelot du Lake ? Then was he sent 
for, and when Sir Lavaine saw Sir 
Launcelot, he said : My lord, I found 
well how ye were hard bestad, for I 
have found your horse, that was slain 
with arrows. As for that, said Sir 
Launcelot, I pray you Sir Lavaine 
speak ye of other matters, and let ye 
this pass, and we shall right it another 
time, when we best may. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Sir Launcelot came in the night to 
the qtteen, and how Sir Meliagraunce 
appeached the queen of treason. 

Then the knights that were hurt were 
searched, and soft salves were laid to 
their wounds, and so it passed on till 
supper time ; and all the cheer that might 
be made them there was done unto the 
queen and all her knights. Then when 
season was they went unto their cham- 
bers. But in no wise the queen would 
not suffer the wounded knights to be 
from her, but that they were laid within 
draughts by her chamber, upon beds 
and pillows, that she herself might see 
to them, that they wanted nothing. So 
when Launcelot was in his chamber 
that was assigned unto him, he called 
unto Sir Lavaine, and told him that he 
must go speak with his lady, dame 
Guenever. Sir, said Sir Lavaine, let me 
go with you, and it please you, for I 
dread me sore of the treason of Sir 
Meliagrance. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, 
I thank you, but I will have nobody 
with me. Then Sir Launcelot took his 
sword in his hand, and privily went 
unto a place whereas he had espied a 
ladder toforehand, and that he took 
under his arm and bare it through the 



CHAP. VII. SIR MELIAGRANCE APPE ACHES THE QUEEN. 



443 



garden, and set it up to the window. 
And there anon the queen was ready to 
meet him. And then they made either 
to other their complaints of many divers 
things. And then Sir Launcelot wished 
that he might have come in to her. 
AVit ye well, said the queen, I would as 
fain as ye that ye might come in to me. 
Would ye, madam, said Sir Launcelot, 
with your heart that I were with you ? 
Yea truly, said the queen. Now shall I 
prove my might, said Sir Launcelot, for 
your love. And then he set his hands 
upon the bars of iron, and pulled at 
them with such a might that he brast 
them clean out of the stone walls. And 
therewithal one of the bars of iron cut 
the brawn of his hands throughout to 
the bone, and then he lept into the 
chamber to the queen. Make ye no 
noise, said the queen, for my wounded 
knights lie here fast by me. And when 
he saw his time that he might tarry no 
longer, he took his leave and departed 
at the window, and put it together as 
well as he might again, and so departed 
unto his own chamber ; and there 
he told Sir Lavaine how he was hurt ; 
then Sir Lavaine dressed his hand, and 
staunched it, and put upon it a glove, 
that it should not be espied. And so 
the queen lay long in her bed, imtil it 
was nine of the clock. Then Sir Melia- 
grance went to the queen's chamber, 
and found her ladies there ready clothed. 
Mercy, said Sir Meliagrance, what aileth 
you, madam, that ye sleep thus long ? 
And then was he ware of the blood of 
Sir Launcelot 's hurt hand. And when 
Sir Meliagrance espied that blood, then 
he deemed in himself that she was false 
unto the king, and that it was the blood 
of some of the wounded knights. Ah, 
madam, said Sir Meliagrance, now I 
have founden you a false traitress unto 
my lord Arthur ; for now I prove well 
it was not for nought that ye laid these 
wounded knights within the bounds of 
your chamber : therefore I will call you 
of treason before my lord king Arthur, 
and now I have proved you, madam, 
with a shameful deed, and that they 
be all false, or some of them, I will 



make good, for a wounded knight hath 
been here. That is false, said the 
queen, and that I will report me to 
them all. Then when the ten knights 
heard Sir Meliagrance's words, they 
spake all in one voice and said unto 
Sir Meliagrance, Thou sayest falsely, 
and wrongfully pattest upon us such a 
deed, and that we will make good any 
of us, choose which thou list of us, when 
we are whole of our wounds. Ye shall 
not, said Sir Meliagrance, away with 
your proud language, for here ye may 
all see that a wounded knight hath been 
here. Then were they all ashamed when 
they saw that blood, and wit you well 
Sir Meliagrance was passing glad that 
he had the queen at such an advantage, 
for he deemed by that to hide his trea- 
son. So with this rumour came in Sir 
Launcelot, and found them all at a great 
array. 

CHAP. VIL 

How Sir Launcelot answered for the queen, 
and waged battle against Sir Melia- 
graunce. And how Sir Laimcelot was 
taken in a trap. 

What array is this? said Sir Laun- 
celot. Then Sir Meliagrance told him 
what he had found, and shewed him the 
blood. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, ye 
did not your part nor knightly toward 
the queen, and therefore have ye done 
unworshipfully and shamefully to your- 
self. I wot not what ye mean, said Sir 
Meliagrance, but well I am sure there 
hath been one of her wounded knights 
here, and therefore I will prove with 
my hands that she is a traitress unto 
my lord Arthur. Beware what ye do, 
said Sir Launcelot, for and ye say so, 
and that ye will prove it, it will be 
taken at your hands. My lord Sir 
Launcelot, said Sir Meliagrance, I rede 
you beware what ye do, for though ye 
are never so good a knight, as ye wot 
well that ye are renowned the best 
knight of the world, yet should ye be 
advised to do battle in a wrong quarrel, 
for God will have a stroke in eveiy 
battle. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, 
God is to be dread. But as to that 



444 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



I say nay plainly, that this night none 
of these ten wounded knights was here 
with my lady queen Guenever, and that 
will I prove with my hands, that ye say 
untruly in that now. Hold, said Sir 
Meliagrance, here is my glove, that she 
is traitress unto my lord king Arthur, 
and that one of the wounded knights 
was here. And I receive your glove, 
said Sir Launcelot. And so they were 
sealed with their signets, and delivered 
unto the ten knights. At what day 
shall we do battle together? said Sir 
Launcelot. This day eight days, said 
Sir Meliagrance, in the field beside 
Westminster. I am agreed, said Sir 
Launcelot. But now, said Sir Melia- 
grance, sithen it is that we must fight 
together, I beseech you, as ye are a 
noble knight, await me with no treason, 
nor none villainy the meanwhile, nor 
none for you. So God me help, said 
Sir Launcelot, ye shall right well wit I 
was never of no such conditions, for 
I report me to all knights that ever 
have known me, I fared never with 
no treason, nor I loved never the 
fellowship of no man that fared with 
treason. Then let us go to dinner, said 
Meliagrance, and after dinner ye and 
the queen and ye may ride all to West- 
minster. I will well, said Sir Launce- 
lot. And Sir Meliagrance said to Sir 
Launcelot, Pleaseth it you to see the 
eftures of this castle? With a good 
will, said Sir Launcelot. And then they 
went together from chamber to cham- 
ber, for Sir Launcelot dread no perils. 
For ever a man of worship and of 
prowess dreadeth least always perils: 
for they ween every man be as they be. 
But ever he that fareth with treason 
putteth oft a man in great danger. So 
it befell upon Sir Launcelot that no 
peril dread. As he went with Sir Me- 
liagrance, he trod on a trap, and the 
board rolled, and therewith Sir Launce- 
lot fell down more than ten fathom into 
a cave full of straw. And then Sir Me- 
liagrance departed, and made no fare as 
that he nist where he was. And when 
Sir Launcelot was thus missed, they 
marvelled where he was become. And 



then queen Guenever and many of them 
deemed that he was departed as he was 
wont to do, suddenly. For Sir Melia- 
grance made suddenly to put away on 
side Sir Lavaine's horse, that they might 
all understand that Sir Launcelot was 
departed suddenly. So it past on till 
after dinner, and then Sir Lavaine would 
not stint until that he ordained litters 
for the wounded knights, that they might 
be laid in them, and so with the queen 
and them all, both ladies and gentle- 
women and other, went unto West- 
minster, and there the knights told king 
Arthur how Meliagrance had appealed 
the queen of high treason, and how Sir 
Launcelot had received the glove of 
him, and this day eight days they shall 
do battle afore you. By my head, said 
king Arthur, I am afeard Sir Melia- 
grance hath taken upon him a great 
charge. But where is Sir Launcelot? 
said the king. Sir, said they all, we 
wot not where he is, but we deem he is 
ridden to some adventures, as he is 
ofttimes wont to do, for he hath Sir 
Lavaine's horse. Let him be, said the 
king, he will be founden, but if he be 
trapped with some treason. 

CHAP. VIIL 

How Sir Launcelot was delivered out of 
prison by a lady, and took a white 
cotirser, and came for to keep his day. 

So leave we Sir Launcelot, lying 
within that cave in great pain, and 
every day there came a lady and 
brought him his meat and his drink, 
and wooed him to love her. And ever 
the noble knight Sir Launcelot said her 
nay. Sir Launcelot, said she, ye are 
not wise, for ye may never out of this 
prison but if ye have my help, and also 
your lady queen Guenever shall be 
burnt in your default, unless that ye be 
there at the day of battle. God defend, 
said Sir Launcelot, that she should be 
burnt in my default: and if it be so, 
said Sir Launcelot, that I may not be 
there, it shall be well understood both 
at the king and at the queen, and with 
all men of worship, that I am dead, 



SIR LAUNCELOT FIGHTS FOR THE QUEEN. 



445 



sick, or in prison. For all men that 
know me will say for me that I am in 
some evil case, and I be not there that 
day, and well I wot there is some good 
knight, either of my blood, or some 
other that loveth me, that will take my 
quarrel in hand : and, therefore, said Sir 
Launcelot, wit ye well ye shall not fear 
me. And if there were no more women 
in all this land but you, I would not say 
otherwise. Then art thou shamed, said 
the lady, and destroyed for ever. As 
for woiid's shame, Jesu defend me ; and 
as for my distress, it is welcome, what- 
soever it be that God sendeth me. So 
she came to him the same day that the 
battle should be, and said, Sir Laun- 
celot, me thinketh ye are too hard- 
hearted, but wouldest thou but kiss me 
once I should deliver thee and thine 
armour, and the best horse that is 
within Sir Meliagrance's stable. As for 
to kiss you, said Sir Launcelot, I may 
do that, and lose no worship, and wit 
ye well, and I understood there were 
any disworship for to kiss you, I would 
not do it. Then he kissed her, and then 
she gat him and brought him to his 
armour. And when he was armed, she 
brought him to a stable, where stood 
twelve good coursers, and bad him 
choose the best. Then Sir Launcelot 
looked upon a white courser, the which 
liked him best, and anon he commanded 
the keepers fast to saddle him with the 
best saddle of war that there was, and 
so it was done as he bade. Then gat 
he his spear in his hand, and his sword 
by his side, and commanded the lady 
unto God, and said, Lady, for this good 
deed I shall do you service if ever it 
be in my power. 

CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Launcelot came the same time 
that Sir Meliagraimce abode him in the 
field, and dressed him to battle. 

Now leave we Sir Launcelot gallop 
all that he might, and speak we of 
queen Guenever that was brought to 
a fire to be burnt, for Sir Meliagrance 
was sure, him thought, that Sir Laun- 



celot should not be at that battle, there- 
fore he ever cried upon king Arthur to 
do him justice, or else bring forth Sir 
Launcelot du Lake. Then was the king 
and all the court full sore abashed and 
shamed that the queen should be burnt 
in the default of Sir Launcelot. My 
lord Arthur, said Sir Lavaine, ye may 
understand that it is not well with my 
lord Sir Launcelot, for and he were on 
live, so that he be not sick or in prison, 
wit ye well he would be here, for 
never heard ye that ever he failed his 
part for whom he should do battle for. 
And therefore, said Sir Lavaine, my 
lord king Arthur, I beseech you give 
me licence to do battle here this day 
for my lord and master, and for to save 
my lady the queen. Gramercy, gentle 
knight. Sir Lavaine, said king Arthur, 
for I dare say all that Sir Meliagrance 
putteth upon my lady the queen is 
wrong, for I have spoken with all the 
ten wounded knights, and there is not 
one of them, and he were whole and 
able to do battle, but he would prove 
upon Sir Meliagrance's body that it is 
false that he putteth upon my queen. 
So shall I, said Sir Lavaine, in the 
defence of my lord Sir Launcelot, and 
ye will give me leave. Now I give you 
leave, said king Arthur, and do your 
best, for I dare well say there is some 
treason done to Sir Launcelot. Then 
was Sir Lavaine horsed, and suddenly 
at the list's end he rode to perform this 
battle. And right as the heralds should 
cry Lesses les aler, right so came in 
Sir Launcelot driving with all the force 
of his horse. And then Arthur cried, 
Ho ! and Abide ! Then was Sir Laun- 
celot called on horseback tofore king 
Arthur, and there he told openly tofore 
the king and all, how Sir Meliagrance 
had served him first and last. And 
when the king and the queen and all 
the lords knew of the treason of Sir 
Meliagrance, they were all ashamed on 
his behalf. Then was queen Guenever 
sent for, and set by the king in great 
trust of her champion. And then there 
was no more else to say, but Sir Laun- 
celot and Sir Meliagrance dressed them 



44^ 



MORTE DARTHUR. 



unto battle, and took their spears, and 
so they came together as thunder, and 
there Sir Launcelot bare him down 
quite over his horse croup. And then 
Sir Launcelot alight, and dressed his 
shield on his shoulder with his sword 
in his hand, and Sir Meliagrance in the 
same wise dressed him unto him, and 
there they smote many great strokes to- 
gether, and at the last Sir Launcelot 
smote him such a buffet upon the 
helmet, that he fell on the one side to 
the earth, and then he cried upon him 
aloud. Most noble knight, Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, save my life, for I yield me 
unto you, and I beseech you, as ye be a 
knight and fellow of the Table Round, 
slay me not, for I yield me as overcomen, 
and whether I shall live or die I put me 
in the king's hands and yours. Then 
Sir Launcelot wist not what to do, for 
he had lever than all the good of the 
world he might have been revenged 
upon Sir Meliagrance ; and Sir Laun- 
celot looked toward queen Guenever if 
he might espy by any sign or coun- 
tenance what she would have done. 
And then the queen wagged her head 
upon Sir Launcelot, as though she 
would say slay him. Full well knew 
Sir Launcelot by the wagging of her 
head that she would have had him 
dead : then Sir Launcelot bad him rise 
for shame, and perform that battle to 
the utterance. Nay, said Sir Melia- 
grance, I will never arise until ye take 
me as yielden and recreant. I shall 
proffer you large proffers, said Sir Laun- 
celot, that is to say, I shall unarm my 
head and my left quarter of my body, 
all that may be unarmed, and let bind 
my left hand behind me, so that it shall 
not help me, and right so I shall do 
battle with you. Then Sir Meliagrance 
start up upon his legs, and said on high, 
My lord Arthur, take heed to this 
proffer, for I will take it, and let him 
be disarmed and bounden according 
to his proffer. What say ye, said king 
Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, will ye 
abide by your proffer? Yea, my lord, 
said Sir Launcelot, I will never go from 
that I have once said. Then the knights 



parters of the field disarmed Sir Laun- 
celot, first his head, and sithen his left 
arm and his left side, and they bound 
his left arm behind his back, without 
shield or anything, and then they were 
put together. Wit you well there was 
many a lady and knight marvelled that 
Sir Launcelot would jeopardy himself 
in such wise. Then Sir Meliagrance 
came with his sword all on high, and 
Sir Launcelot shewed him openly his 
bare head and the bare left side. And 
when he wend to have smitten him 
upon the bare head, then lightly he 
avoided the left leg and the left side, 
and put his right hand and his sword to 
that stroke, and so put it on side with 
great sleight, and then with great force 
Sir Launcelot smote him on the helmet 
such a buffet that the stroke carved the 
head in two parts. Then there was no 
more to do but he was drawn out of the 
field. And at the great instance of the 
knights of the Table Round the king 
suftered him to be interred, and the 
mention made upon him who slew him, 
and for what cause he was slain. And 
then the king and the queen made more 
of Sir Launcelot, and more he was 
cherished, than ever he was aforehand. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Urre cmne into Arthtir's coj/rt 
for to be healed of his wounds, and bow 
king Arthur would begirt to handle him. 

Then, as the French book maketh 
mention, there was a good knight in 
the land of Hungary, his name was 
Sir Urre, and he was an adventurous 
knight, and in all places where he 
might hear of any deeds of worship, 
there would he be. So it happened in 
Spain there was an earl's son, his name 
was Alphegus, and at a great tourna- 
ment in Spain this Sir Urre, knight of 
Hungary, and Sir Alphegus of Spain, 
encountered together for very envy, and 
so either undertook other to the utter- 
ance, and by fortune Sir Urre slew Sir 
Alphegus, the earl's son of Spain. But 
this knight that was slain had given 
Sir Urre, or ever he was slain, seven 



THE ADVENTURE OF SIR URRE. 



447 



great wounds, three on the head, and 
four on his body and upon his left 
hand. And this Sir Alphegus had a 
mother, the which was a great sorceress, 
and she, for the despite of her son's 
death, wrought by her subtile crafts 
that Sir Urre should never be whole, 
but ever his wounds should one time 
fester and another time bleed, so that 
he should never be whole, until tlie best 
knight of the world had searched his 
wounds, and thus she made her avaunt, 
where through it was known that Sir 
Urre should never be whole. Then his 
mother let make an horse-litter, and 
put him therein under two palfreys, 
and then she took Sir Urre's sister with 
him, a full fair damsel, whose name 
was Felelolie, and then she took a page 
with him to keep their horses, and so 
they led Sir Urre through many coun- 
tries. For, as the French book saith, 
she led him so seven year through all 
lands christened, and never she could 
find no knight that might ease her son. 
So she came into Scotland, and into 
the lands of England, and by fortune 
she came nigh the feast of Pentecost 
until Arthur's court, that at that time 
was holden at Carlisle. And when she 
came there, then she made it openly 
to be known how tliat she was come 
into that land for to heal her son. 

Then king Arthur let call the lady, 
and asked her the cause why she 
brought that hurt knight into that land. 
My most noble king, said that lady, 
wit you well I brought him hither for 
to be healed of his wounds, that of 
all this seven year he might not be 
whole. And then she told the king 
where he was wounded, and of whom, 
and how his mother had discovered in 
her pride how she had wrought that 
by enchantment, so that he should never 
be whole until the best knight of the 
world had searched his wounds : — And 
so I have passed through all the lands 
christened to have him healed, except 
this land : and if I fail to heal him here 
in this land, I will never take more 
pain upon me, and that is pity, for he 
was a good knight, and of great noble- 



ness. What is his name ? said Arthur. 
My good and gracious lord, she said, 
his name is Sir Urre of the Mount. In 
good time, said the king, and sith ye 
are come into this land ye are right 
welcome. And wit you well here shall 
your son be healed, and ever any chris- 
tian man may heal him. And for to 
give all other men of worship courage 
1 myself will assay to handle your son, 
and so shall all the kings, dukes, and 
earls that be here present with me at 
this time; thereto will I command 
them, and well I wot they shall obey and 
do after my commandment. And wit 
you well, said king Arthur unto Urre's 
sister, I shall begin to handle him and 
search unto my power, not presuming 
upon me that I am so worthy to heal 
your son by my deeds, but I will en- 
courage other men of worship to do as 
I will do. And then the king com- 
manded all the kings, dukes, and earls, 
and all noble knights of the Round 
Table that were there that time present, 
to come into the meadow of Carlisle. 
And so at that time there were but an 
hundred and ten of the Round Table, 
for forty knights were that time away. 
And so here we must begin at king 
Arthur, as is kindly to begin at him 
that was the most man of worship that 
was christened at that time. 

CHAP. XI. 

How king Arthur handled Sir Urre, and 
after him many other knights of the 
Round Table. 

Then king Arthur looked upon Sir 
Urre, and the king thought he was a 
full likely man when he was whole. 
And king Arthur made him to be taken 
down off the litter, and laid him upon 
the earth, and there was laid a cushion 
of gold that he should kneel upon. 
And then Arthur said, Noble fair 
knight, me repenteth of thy hurt, and 
for to courage all other noble knights 
I will pray thee softly to suffer me 
to handle your wounds. Most noble 
christened king, said Urre, do as ye 
list, for I am at the mercy of God, and 



448 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



at your commandment. So then Arthur 
softly handled him, and then some of 
his wounds renewed upon bleeding. 
Then the king Clariance of Northumber- 
land searched, and it would not be. 
And then Sir Barant le Apres, that 
was called the king with the hundred 
knights, he assayed, and failed ; and so 
did king Urience, of the land of Gore. 
So did king Anguissance of Ireland ; 
so did king Nentres of Garloth ; so did 
king Carados of Scotland; so did the 
duke Galahalt, the haut prince ; so did 
Constantine, that was Sir Carados's 
son, of Cornwall ; so did duke Chalance 
of Clarance; so did the earl Ulbause; 
so did the earl Lambaile; so did the 
earl Aristause. Then came in Sir Ga- 
waine, with his three sons, Sir Gin- 
galin, Sir Florence, and Sir Lovel ; these 
two were begotten upon Sir Brandiles's 
sister ; and all they failed. Then came 
in Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, Sir Mor- 
dred, and the good knight Sir Gareth, 
which was of very knighthood worth 
all the brethren. So came knights of 
Launcelot's kin, but Sir Launcelot was 
not that time in the court, for he 
was that time upon his adventures. 
Then Sir Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, 
Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Blamor de Ganis, 
Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir Gahalan- 
tine, Sir Galihodin, Sir Menadeuke, Sir 
Villiars the valiant. Sir Hebes le Re- 
noumes. All these were of Sir Launce- 
lot's kin, and all they failed. Then came 
in Sir Sagramor le Desirous, Sir Dodi- 
nas le Savage, Sir Dinadan, Sir Bruin 
le Noire, that Sir Kay named la Cote 
Male Taile, and Sir Kay the seneschal. 
Sir Kay de Stranges, Sir Meliot de 
Logris, Sir Petipase of Winchelsea, 
Sir Galleron of Galway, Sir Melion of 
the mountain. Sir Cardok, Sir Uwaine 
les Avoutres, and Sir Ozanna le Cure 
Hardy. Then came in Sir Astamore, 
and Sir Gromere, Grummor's son, Sir 
Crosselme, Sir Servause le Breuse, that 
was called a passing strong knight. 
For, as the book saith, the chief Lady 
of the lake feasted this Sir Launcelot, 
and Sir Servause le Breuse, and when 
she had feasted them both at sundry 



times, she prayed them to give her a 
boon, and they granted it her, and then 
she prayed Sir Servause that he would 
promise her never to do battle against 
Sir Launcelot du Lake; and in the 
same wise she prayed Sir Launcelot ■ 
never to do battle against Sir Servause ; 
and so either promised her. For the 
French book saith that Sir Servause 
had never courage nor lust to do battle 
against no man, but if it were against 
giants, and against dragons, and wild 
beasts. So we pass unto them that, at 
the king's request, made them all that 
were there at that high feast, as of the 
knights of the Table Round, for to 
search Sir Urre : to that intent the king 
did it, to wit which was the noblest 
knight among them. 

Then there came Sir Aglovale, Sir 
Durnore, Sir Tor, and king Pellinore 
begat them all, first, Sir Tor, Sir Aglo- 
vale, Sir Durnore, Sir Lamorak, the 
most noblest knight, one that ever was 
in Arthur's days as for a worldly knight, 
and Sir Percivale that was peerless, 
except Sir Galahad, in holy deeds, but 
they died in the quest of the Sancgreal. 
Then came Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu, 
Sir Luca the botteler. Sir Bedivere his 
brother. Sir Brandiles, Sir Constantine, 
Sir Cador's son of Cornwall, that was 
king after Arthur's days, and Sir Clegis, 
Sir Sadok, Sir Dinas le seneschal of 
Cornwall, Sir Fergus, Sir Diiant, Sir 
Lambegus, Sir Clarrus of Cleremont, 
SirCloddrus, Sir Hectimeie, Sir Edward 
of Carnarvan, Sir Dinas, Sir Priamus, 
that was christened by Sir Tristram the 
the noble knight, and these three were 
brethren ; Sir Hellaine le Blank, that 
was son unto Sir Bors and king Bran- 
degoris's daughter, and Sir Brian de 
Listinoise; Sir Gautere, Sir Reynold, 
Sir Gillemere, were three brethren that 
Sir Launcelot won upon a bridge in 
Sir Kay's arms. Sir Guiart le Petite, 
Sir Bellangere le Beuse, that was son to 
the good knight Sir Alisander le Or- 
phelin, that was slain by the treason 
of king Mark. Also that traitor king 
slew the noble knight Sir Tristram, as 
he sat harping afore his lady La Beale 



HOW SIR URRE WAS HEALED. 



449 



Isoud, with a trenchant glaive, for 
whose death was much bewailing of 
every knight that ever were in Arthur's 
days : there were never none so be- 
wailed as was Sir Tristram and Sir 
Lamorak, for they were traitorously 
slain, Sir Tristram by king Mark, and 
Sir Lamorak by Sir Gawaine and his 
brethren. And this Sir Bellangere re- 
venged the death of his father Ali- 
sander, and Sir Tristram, slew king 
Mark, and La Beale Isoud died, swoon- 
ing upon the cross of Sir Tristram, 
whereof was great pity. And all that 
were with king Mark, that were con- 
senting to the death of Sir Tristram, 
were slain, as Sir Andred, and many 
other. Then came Sir Hebes, Sir Mor- 
ganore, Sir Sentraile, Sir Suppinabiles, 
Sir Bellangere le Orgulous, that the 
good knight Sir Lamorak wan in plain 
battle ; Sir Nerovens, and Sir Ple- 
norius, two good knights that Sir Laun- 
celot wan ; Sir Darras, Sir Harry le 
Fise Lake, Sir Erminide, brother to 
king Hermance for whom Sir Pala- 
mides fought at the red city with two 
brethren ; and Sir Selises of the dolorous 
tower. Sir Edward of Orkney, and Sir 
Ironside, that was called the noble 
knight of the red lawns, that Sir Ga- 
reth wan for the love of dame Liones ; 
Sir Arrok de Grevant, Sir Degrane 
Sance Vilany, that fought with the 
giant of the black lowe ; Sir Epinogris, 
that was the king's son of Northumber- 
land; Sir Pelleas, that loved the lady 
Ettard, and he had died for her love, 
had not been one of the ladies of the 
lake, her name was dame Nimue, and 
she wedded Sir Pelleas, and she saved 
him that he was never slain, and he 
w^as a full noble knight ; and Sir Lamiel 
of Cardiff, that was a great lover ; Sir 
Plaine de Force, Sir Meleaus de Lile, 
Sir Bobart le Cure Hardy, that was 
king Arthur's son. Sir Mador de la 
Porte, Sir Colgrevance, Sir Hervise de 
la Forest Savage, Sir Marrok, the good 
knight that was betrayed with his wife, 
for she made him seven year a werwolf; 
Sir Persant, Sir Pertilope his brother, 
that was called the green knight, and 



Sir Perimones, brother to them both, 
that was called the red knight, that 
Sir Gareth wan when he was called 
Beaumains. All these hundred knights 
and ten searched Sir line's wounds, by 
the commandment of king Arthur. 

CHAP. XII. 

Hoiv Sir Launcelof was commanded by 
Arthur to ha?idle his tuonnds, and anon 
he was all whole, and how they thanked 
God. 

Mercy, said king Arthur, where is 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, that he is not 
here at this time ? Thus as they stood 
and spake of many things, there M-as 
espied Sir Launcelot, that came riding 
toward them, and told the king. Peace, 
said the king, let no manner thing be 
said until he be come to us. So when 
Sir Launcelot espied king Arthur he 
descended from his horse, and came 
to the king, and saluted him, and 
them all. Anon as the maid. Sir Urre's 
sister, saw Sir Launcelot, she ran to her 
brother there as he lay in his litter, and 
said, Brother, here is come a knight that 
my heart giveth greatly unto. Fair sis- 
ter, said Sir Urre, so doth my heart light 
against him, and certainly I hope now 
to be healed, for my heart giveth unto 
him more than to all these that have 
searched me. Then said king Arthur 
unto Sir Launcelot, Ye must do as we 
have done ; and told Sir Launcelot what 
they had done, and shewed him them all 
that had searched him. Heaven defend 
me, said Sir Launcelot, when so many 
kings and knights have assayed and 
failed, that I should presume upon me to 
achieve that all ye my lords might not 
achieve. Ye shall not choose, said king 
Arthur, for I will command you for to 
do as we all have done. My most re- 
nowned lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye 
know well I dare not nor may not dis- 
obey your commandment, but and I 
might or durst, wit you well I would 
not take upon me to touch that wounded 
knight, to that intent that I should pass 
all other knights ; heaven defend me 
from that shame. Ye take it wrong, 



29 



450 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



said king Arthur, ye shall not do it for 
no presumption, but for to bear us fel- 
lowship, insomuch ye be a fellow of 
the Table Round, and wit you well, said 
king Arthur, and ye prevail not and heal 
him, I dare say there is no knight in 
this land may heal him, and therefore I 
pray you do as we have done. And 
then all the kings and knights for the 
most part prayed Sir Launcelot to search 
him, and then the wounded knight Sir 
Urre set him up weakly, and prayed Sir 
Launcelot heartily, saying, Courteous 
knight, I require thee for God's sake heal 
my wounds, for me thinketh, ever sithen 
ye came here my wounds grieve me not. 
Ah my fair lord, said Sir Launcelot, Jesu 
would that I might help you, I shame 
me sore that I should be thus rebuked, 
for never was I able in worthiness to do 
so high a thing. Then Sir Launcelot 
kneeled down by the wounded knight, 
saying, My lord Arthur, I must do 
your commandment, the which is sore 
against my heart. And then he held up 
his hands, and looked into the east, say- 
ing secretly unto himself. Thou blessed 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I beseech 
thee of thy mercy, that my simple wor- 
ship and honesty be saved, and thou, 
blessed Trinity, thou mayest give power 
to heal this sick knight, by thy great 
virtue and grace of thee, but, good Lord, 
never of myself. And then Sir Launce- 
lot prayed Sir Urre to let him see his 
head; and then, devoutly kneeling, he 
ransacked the three wounds, that they 
bled a little, and forthwith all the wounds 
fair healed, and seemed as they had been 
whole a seven year. And in likewise he 
searched his body of other three wounds, 
and they healed in likewise. And then 
the last of all he searched the which was 
in "his hand, and, anon, it healed fair. 
Then king Arthur, and all the kings and 
knights, kneeled down, and gave thanks 
and lovings unto God, and to his blessed 
mother, and ever Sir Launcelot wept as 
he had been a cliild that had been beaten. 
Then king Arthur let array priests and 
clerks in the most devoutest manner, to 
bring in Sir Urre within Carlisle, with 
singing and loving to God. And when 



this was done, the king let clothe him 
in the richest manner that could be 
thought ; and then were but few better 
made knights in all the court, for he was 
passingly well made and bigly : and 
Arthur asked Sir Urre how he felt him- 
self. My good lord, he said, I felt myself 
never so lusty. Will ye just, and do 
deeds of arms? said king Arthur. Sir, 
said Sir Urre, and I had all that longed 
unto justs, I would soon be ready. 

CHAP. XHL 

How there was a party made of an hundred 
knights against an hundred knights, and 
of other matters. 

Then king Arthur made a party of 
hundred knights to be against an hun- 
dred knights. And so, upon the morn, 
they justed for a diamond ; but there 
justed none of the dangerous knights ; 
and so, for to shorten this tale, Sir Urre 
and Sir Lavaine justed best that day, 
for there was none of them but he over- 
threw and pulled down thirty knights ; 
and then, by the assent of all the kings 
and lords. Sir Urre and Sir Lavaine were 
made knights of the Table Round. And 
Sir Lavaine cast his love to dame Fele- 
lolie. Sir Urre's sister, and then they 
were wedded together with great joy, 
and king Arthur gave to every each of 
them a barony of lands. And this Sir 
Urre would never go from Sir Launcelot, 
but he, and Sir Lavaine, awaited ever- 
more upon him ; and they were in all 
the court accounted for good knights, 
and full desirous in arms ; and many 
noble deeds they did, for they would 
have no rest, but ever sought adven- 
tures. Thus they lived in the court, 
with great nobleness and joy, long time. 
But every night and day Sir Agravaine, 
Sir Gawaine's brother, awaited queen 
Guenever and Sir Launcelot du Lake, to 
put them to a rebuke and shame. And 
so leave I here of this tale, and overskip 
great books of Sir Launcelot du Lake, 
what great adventures he did when he 
was called Le Chevaler du Chariot. 
For, as the French book saith, because 
of despite that knights and ladies called 



HOW WOE FELL ON KING ARTHUR. 



451 



him the knight that rode in the chariot, 
as he were judged to the gallows ; there- 
fore, in despite of all them that named 
him so, he was carried in a chariot a 
twelve month, for but little after that he 
had slain Sir Meliagrance in the queen's 
quarrel, he never in a twelve month 
came on horseback. And, as the French 



book saith, he did that twelve month 
more than forty battles. And because 
I have lost the very matter of Le Che- 
valer du Chariot, I depart from the tale 
of Sir Launcelot, and here I go unto the 
Morte of king Arthur, and that caused 
Sir Agravaine. 



iEiplidt lihtt xix, 
^nD 6cu after folofoct]^ tl)c moogl pgtou^ Ijijstors of tl)c morte of 
Ifingc artj^ur, tijc toijicj^c ig t^c xx, boolt. 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred were 
bnsy upon Sir Gawaine for to disclose 
the love between Sir Launcelot atid queen 
Guenever. 

In May, when every lusty heart flou- 
risheth and burgeneth ; for as the season 
is lusty to behold and comfortable, so 
man and woman rejoice and gladden of 
sum.mer coming with his fresh flowers : 
for winter, with his rough winds and 
blasts., causeth a lusty man and woman 
to cower and sit fast by the fire. So 
in this season, as in the month of May, 
it befell a great anger and unhap that 
stinted not till the flower of chivalry of 
all the world was destroyed and slain : 
and all was long upon two unhappy 
knights, the which were named Sir 
Agravaine and Sir Mordred that were 
brethren unto Sir Gawaine. For this 
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred had ever 
a privy hate unto the queen dame Gue- 
never, and to Sir Launcelot, and daily 
and nightly they ever watched upon Sir 
Launcelot. So it mis-happed Sir Ga- 
waine and all his brethren were in king 
Arthur's chamber, and then Sir Agra- 
vaine said thus openly, and not in no 
counsel, that many knights might hear 
it, I marvel that we all be not ashamed 
both to see and to know how Sir Laun- 



I celot goeth with the queen, and all we 
j know it so, and it is shamefully suffered 
j of us all, that we all should suffer so 
noble a king as king Arthur is so to be 
! shamed. Then spake Sir Gawaine, and 
i said. Brother, Sir Agravaine, I pray you, 
I and charge you, move no such matters 
■ no more afore me; for wit ye well, 
i said Sir Gawaine, I will not be of your 
j counsel. Truly, said Sir Gaheris and 
I Sir Gareth, we will not be knowing, 
I brother Agravaine, of your deeds. Then 
I will I, said Sir ^Mordred. I believe well 
I that, said Sir Gawaine, for ever, unto 
all unhappiness, brother Sir Mordied, 
theieto will ye grant, and I would that 
, ye left all this, and made you not so 
busy, for I know, said Sir Gawaine, 
i what will fall of it. Fall of it what 
' fall may, said Sir Agravaine, I will dis- 
close it to the king. Not by my coun- 
sel, said Sir Gawaine, for and there rise 
j war and wrake betwixt Sir Launcelot 
and us, wit you well, brother, there will 
many kings and great lords hold with 
; Sir Launcelot. Also, brother Sir Agra- 
' vaine, said Sir Gawaine, ye must remem- 
I ber how ofttimes Sir Launcelot hath 
rescued the king and the queen, and the 
best of us all had been full cold at the 
heart-root, had not Sir Launcelot been 
better than we ; and that hath he proved 
himself full oft. And as for my part, 



29—2 



452 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



said Sir Gawaine, I will never be against 
Sir Launcelot, for one day's deed, when 
he rescued me from king Carados of the 
dolorous tower, and slew him, and saved 
my life. Also, brother Sir Agravaine, 
and Sir Mordred, in likewise Sir Laun- 
celot rescued you both, and three-score 
and two, from Sir Turquin. Me thinketh, 
brother, such kind deeds and kindness 
should be remembered. Do as ye list, 
said Sir Agravaine, for I will hide it no 
longer. With these words came to them 
king Arthur. Now, brother, stint your 
noise, said Sir Gawaine. We will not, 
said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred. 
Will ye so ? said Sir Gawaine, then 
God speed you, for I will not hear 
your tales, nor be of your counsel. No 
more will I, said Sir Gareth and Sir 
Gaheris, for we will never say evil by 
that man : for because, said Sir Gareth, 
Sir Launcelot made me knight, by no 
manner ought I to say ill of him. And 
therewithal they three departed, making 
great dole. Alas, said Sir Gawaine and 
Sir Gareth, now is this realm wholly 
mischieved, and the noble fellowship 
of the Round Table shall be dispersed. 
So they departed. 

CHAP. 11. 

How Sir Agravaine disclosed their love to 
kitig Arthur, and how king Arthur gave 
them licence to take him. 

And then Sir Arthur asked them what 
noise they made. My lord, said Agra- 
vaine, I shall tell you that I may keep 
no longer. Here is I and my brother. 
Sir Mordred, brake unto my brother Sir 
Gawaine, Sir Gaheris, and to Sir Gareth, 
how this we know all, that Sir Laun- 
celot holdeth your queen, and hath done 
long, and we be your sister's sons, and 
we may suffer it no longer ; and all we 
wot that ye should be above Sir Laun- 
celot, and ye are the king that made him 
knight, and, therefore, we will prove it 
that he is a traitor to your person. If 
it be so, said Sir Arthur, wit you well he 
is none other, but I would be loth to 
begin such a thing, but I might have 
proofs upon it ; for Sir Launcelot is an 



hardy knight, and all ye know he is the 
best knight among us all, and, but if he 
be taken with the deed, he will fight 
with him that bringeth up the noise, 
and I know no knight that is able to 
match him. Therefore, and it be sooth 
as ye say, I would he were taken with 
the deed. For, as the French book 
saith, the king was full loth thereto, 
that any noise should be upon Sir Laun- 
celot and his queen ; for the king had a 
deeming, but he would not hear of it, 
for Sir Launcelot had done so much for 
him and for the queen so many times, 
that, wit ye well, the king loved him 
passingly well. My lord, said Sir Agra- 
vaine, ye shall ride to-morrow on hunt- 
ing, and doubt ye not, Sir Launcelot 
will not go with you. Then when it 
draweth toward night, ye may send the 
queen word that ye will lie out all that 
night, and so may ye send for your 
cooks; and then, upon pain of death, 
we shall take him with the queen, and 
either we shall bring him to you dead or 
quick. I will well, said the king, then I 
counsel you, said the king, take with you 
sure fellowship. Sir, said Agravaine, my 
brother, Sir Mordred, and I will take 
with us twelve knights of the Round 
Table. Beware, said king Arthur, for I 
warn you ye shall find him wight. Let 
us deal, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mor- 
dred. So on the mom, king Arthur 
rode on hunting, and sent word to the 
queen that he would be out all that night. 
Then Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat 
to them twelve knights, and did them- 
selves in a chamber, in the castle of 
Carlisle, and these were their names: 
Sir Colgrevance, Sir Mador de la Porte, 
Sir Gingaline, Sir Meliot de Logris, Sir 
Petipase of Winchelsea, Sir Galleron of 
Galway, Sir Melion of the mountain, Sir 
Astamore, Sir Gromore Somir Joure, Sir 
Curselaine, Sir Florence, Sir Lovel. So 
these twelve knights were with Sir Mor- 
dred and Sir Agravaine. And all they 
were of Scotland, either of Sir Gawaine's 
kin, cither well willers to his brethren. 
So when the night came, Sir Launcelot 
told Sir Bors how he would go that 
night, and speak with the queen. Sir, 



OF THE QUEEN AND LAUNCELOT. 



453 



said Sir Bors, ye shall not go this night, 
by my counsel. Why? said Sir Laun- 
celot. Sir, said Sir Bors, I dread me 
ever of Sir Agravaine, that waiteth you 
daily, to do you shame, and us all, and 
never gave my heart against no going 
that ever ye went to the queen, so much 
as now, for I mistrust that the king is 
out this night from the queen, because, 
peradventure, he hath lain some watch 
for you and the queen, and therefore I 
dread me sore of treason. Have ye no 
dread, said Sir Launcelot, for I shall go, 
and come again, and make no tarrying. 
Sir, said Sir Bors, that me sore repent- 
eth, for I dread me sore that your going 
out this night shall wrath us all. Fair 
nephew, said Sir Launcelot, I marvel 
me much why ye say thus, sithen the 
queen hath sent for me, and wit ye well 
that I will not be so much a coward, 
but she shall understand I will see her 
good grace. God speed you well, said 
Sir Bors, and send you sound and safe 
again. 

CHAP. in. 

Hoiu Sir Launcelot was espied in the 
queens chamber, and how Sir Agra- 
vaine and Sir Mordred came with 
twelve knights to slay him. 
So Sir Launcelot departed, and took 
his sword under his arm, and so in his 
mantle that noble knight put himself 
in great jeopardy, and so he passed 
till he came to the queen's chamber. 
And then, as the French book saith, 
there came Sir Agravaine, and Sir 
Mordred, with twelve knights with 
them of the Round Table, and they 
said with cr)'ing voice, Traitor knight, 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, now art thou 
taken. And thus they cried with a 
loud voice that all the court might 
hear it : and they all fourteen were 
armed at ail points as they should fight 
in a battle. Alas, said queen Guenever, 
now are we mischieved both. Madam, 
said Sir Launcelot, is there here any 
armour within your chamber that I 
might cover my poor body withal, and 
if there be any, give it me, and I shall 
soon stint their malice. Truly, said 



the queen, I have none armour, shield, 
sword, nor spear, wherefore I dread me 
sore our long love is come to a mis- 
chievous end ; for, I hear by their noise, 
there be many noble knights, and well 
I wot they be surely armed, against 
them ye may make no resistance; 
wherefore ye are likely to be slain, and 
then shall I be burnt. For, and ye 
might escape them, said the queen, I 
would not doubt but that ye would 
rescue me in what danger that ever I 
stood in. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, in 
all my life was I never bested that I 
should be thus shamefully slain for 
lack of mine armour. But ever in one 
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred cried. 
Traitor knight, come out of the queen's 
chamber, for wit thou well thou art 
so beset that thou shalt not escape. 
Oh mercy, said Sir Launcelot, this 
shameful cry and noise I may not suffer, 
for better were death at once, than thus 
to endure this pain. Then he took the 
queen in his arms, and kissed her, and 
said, Most noble christian queen, I be- 
seech you, as ye have ever been my 
special good lady, and I at all times 
your true poor knight unto my power, 
and as I never failed you in right nor 
in wrong, since the first day that king 
Arthur made me knight, that ye will 
pray for my soul if that I here be slain. 
For well I am well assured that Sir Bors 
my nephew and all the remnant of my 
kin, with Sir Lavaine and Sir Urre, that 
they will not fail you to rescue you from 
the fire, and therefore, mine own lady, 
recomfort yourself whatsoever come of 
me, that ye go with Sir Bors my nephew, 
and Sir Urre, and they all will do you 
all the pleasure that they can or may, 
that ye shall live like a queen upon my 
lands. Nay, Launcelot, said the queen, 
wit thou well I will never live after thy 
days, but, and thou be slain, I will take 
my death as meekly for Jesu Christ's 
sake, as ever did any Christian queen. 
Well, madam, said Launcelot, sith it is 
so that the day is come that our love 
must depart, wit you well I shall sell 
my life as dear as I may, and a thou- 
sand fold, said Sir Launcelot, I am more 



454 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



heavier for you than for myself. And 
now I had lever than to be lord of all 
Christendom, that I had sure armour 
upon me, that men might speak of my 
deeds or ever I were slain. Truly, said 
the queen, I would and it might please 
God that they would take me and slay 
me, and suffer you to escape. That 
shall never be, said Sir Launcelot. God 
defend me from such a shame, but Jesu 
be thou my shield and mine armour. 

CHAP. IV. 

How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, 
and artned him in his harness, and after 
slew Sir Agravaine and twelve of his 
fellows. 

And therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped 
his mantle about his arm well and 
surely; and by then they had gotten 
a great form out of the hall, and there- 
withal they rashed at the door. Fair 
lords, said Sir Launcelot, leave your 
noise and your rashing, and I shall set 
open tliis door, and then may ye do with 
me what it liketh you. Come off then, 
said they all, and do it, for it availeth thee 
not to strive against us all, and there- 
fore let us into this chamber, and we 
shall save thy life until thou come to 
king Arthur. Then Launcelot unbarred 
the door, and with his left hand he held 
it open a little so that but one man 
might come in at once. And so anon, 
there came striding a good knight, a 
much man and large, and his name was 
Colgrevance of Gore, and he with a 
sword strake at Sir Launcelot mightily, 
and he put aside the stroke, and gave 
him such a buffet upon the helmet that 
he fell groveling dead within the cham- 
ber door, and then Sir Launcelot with 
great might drew that dead knight 
within the chamber door ; and then Sir 
Launcelot with the help of the queen 
and her ladies was lightly armed in Sir 
Colgrevance's armour. And ever stood 
Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, crying, 
Traitor knight, come out of the queen's 
chamber. Leave your noise, said Sir 
Launcelot unto Sir Agravaine, for wit ye 
well, Sir Agravaine, ye shall not prison 



me this night, and therefore and ye do 
by my counsel, go ye all from this 
chamber door, and make not such cry- 
ing and such manner of slander as ye 
do, for I promise you by my knight- 
hood, and ye will depart and make no 
more noise, I shall as to-morn appear 
before you all, before the king, and 
then let it be seen which of you all, 
and either else ye all, will accuse me of 
treason, and there I shall answer you 
as a knight should, that hither I came 
to the queen for no manner of mal- 
engine, and that will I prove and make 
it good upon you with mine hands. 
Fie on thee traitor, said Sir Agravaine 
and Sir Mordred, we will have thee, 
maugre thy head, and slay thee if we 
list, for we let thee wit, we have 
the choice of king Arthur, to save 
thee or to slay thee. Ah sirs, said Sir 
Launcelot, is there none other grace 
with you ? then keep yourself. So then 
Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber 
door, and mightily and knightly he 
strode in amongst them, and anon at 
the first buffet he slew Sir Agravaine, 
and twelve of his fellows within a little 
while after he laid them cold to the 
earth, for there was none of the twelve 
that might stand Sir Launcelot one 
buffet. Also Sir Launcelot wounded 
Sir Mordred, and he fled with all his 
might. And then Sir Launcelot re- 
turned again unto the queen, and said. 
Madam, now wit you well all our 
true love is brought to an end, for now 
will king Arthur ever be my foe, and 
therefore, madam, and it like you that I 
may have you with me, I shall save you 
from all manner adventures dangerous. 
That is not best, said the queen, me 
seemeth now ye have done so much 
harm, it will be best ye hold you still 
with this. And if ye see that as to-morn 
they will put me unto the death, then 
may ye rescue me as ye think best. I 
will well, said Sir Launcelot, for have 
ye no doubt while I am living I shall 
rescue you. And then he kissed her, 
and either gave other a ring, and so 
there he left the queen and went until 
his lodging. 



OF LAUNCELOrs KIN. 



455 



CHAP. V. 

How Sir Launcelot ca7ne to Sir Bors and 
told bitn how he had sped, and in what 
adventure he had been, a?id bow he 
escaped. 

When Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot, he 
was never so glad of his home coming 
as he was then. Mercy, said Sir Laun- 
celot, why be ye all armed? What 
meaneth this ? Sir, said Sir Bors, after 
that ye were departed from us, we all 
that be of your blood, and your well 
willers, were so troubled, that some of 
us lept out of our beds naked, and some 
in their dreams caught naked swords in 
their hands, therefore, said Sir Bors, we 
deem there is some great strife at hand ; 
and then we all deemed that ye were 
betrapped with some treason, and there- 
fore we made us thus ready, what need 
that ever ye were in. My fair nephew, 
said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Bors, now 
shall ye wit all, that this night I was 
more harder bested than ever I was in 
my life, and yet I escaped. And so he 
told them all how, and in what manner, 
as ye have heard tofore. And therefore 
my fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I pray 
you all that ye will be of good heart in 
what need soever I stand, for now is 
war come to us all. Sir, said Sir Bors, 
all is welcome that God sendeth us, and 
we have had much weal with you and 
much worship, and therefore we will 
take the woe with you as we have taken 
the weal. And therefore they said all, 
there were many good knights, Look ye 
take no discomfort, for there nis no 
band of knights under heaven but that 
we shall be able to grieve them as much 
as they may us. And therefore discom- 
fort not yourself by no manner, and ye 
shall gather together that we love, and 
that loveth us, and what that ye will 
have done shall be done. And there- 
fore, Sir Launcelot, said they, we will 
take the woe with the weal. Gramercy, 
said Sir Launcelot, of your good com- 
fort, for in my great distress, my fair 
nephew, ye comfort me greatly, and 
much I am beholden unto you. But 
this, my fair nephew, I would that ye 



did in all haste that ye may, or it be 
forth-days, that ye will look in their 
lodging that been lodged here nigh 
about the king, which will hold with 
me, and which will not, for now I 
would know which were my friends 
from my foes. Sir, said Sir Bors, I 
shall do my pain, and, or it be seven of 
the clock, I shall wit of such as ye have 
said before, who will hold with you. 

Then Sir Bors called unto him Sir 
Lionel, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Blamor 
de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, Sir 
Gahalantine, Sir Galihodin, Sir Galihud, 
Sir Menadeuke, with Sir Villiers the 
Valiant, Sir Hebes le Renoumes, Sir 
Lavaine, Sir Urre of Hungary, Sir 
Nerouneus, Sir Plenorius : these two 
knights Sir Launcelot made, and the 
one he wan upon a bridge, and there- 
fore they would never be against him. 
And Sir Harry le Fise du Lake and Sir 
Selises of the dolorous tower, and Sir 
Melias de Lile, and Sir Bellangere le 
Beuse, which was Sir Alisaunder's le Or- 
phelin's son, because his mother, dame 
Alis le Beale Pilgrim, and she was kin 
unto Sir Launcelot, and he held with 
him. So there came Sir Palamides, and 
Sir Safere his brother, to hold with Sir 
Launcelot, and Sir Clegis of Sadok, and 
Sir Dinas, Sir Clarius of Cleremont. So 
these two and twenty knights drew 
them together; and by then they were 
armed on horseback, and promised Sir 
Launcelot to do what he would. Then 
there fell to them, what of Northgalis 
and of Cornwall, for Sir Lamorak's sake 
and for Sir Tristram's sake, to the 
number of a fourscore knights. 

My lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you 
well I have been, ever since I came into 
this country, well willed unto my lord 
king Arthur, and unto my lady queen 
Guenever, unto my power, and this 
night, because my lady the queen sent 
for me to speak with her, I suppose it 
was made by treason, howbeit I dare 
largely excuse her person, notwithstand- 
ing I was there by a forecast nigh slain, 
but, as God provided me, I escaped all 
their malice and treason. And then 
that noble knight, Sir Launcelot, told 



456 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



them all how he was hard bested in the 
queen's chamber, and how and in what 
manner he escaped from them. And 
therefore, said Sir Launcelot, wit you 
well, my fair lords, I am sure there nis 
but war unto me and mine. And for 
because I have slain this night these 
knights, I wot well as is Sir Agravaine 
Sir Gawaine's brother, and at the least 
twelve of his fellows, for this cause now 
I am sure of mortal war, for these 
knights were sent and ordained by king 
Arthur to betray me, and therefore the 
king will in this heat and malice judge 
the queen to the fire, and that may I not 
suffer, that she should be burnt for my 
sake. For, and I may be heard and 
suffered, and so taken, I will fight for 
the queen, that she is a ti-ue lady unto 
her lord. But the king in his heat I 
dread me will not take me as I ought 
to be taken. 

CHAP. VI. 

Of the counsel and advice which was taken 
by Sir Launcelot and by his friends for 
to save the queen. 

My lord Sir Launcelot, said Sir Bors, 
by mine advice ye shall take the woe 
with the weal, and take it in patience, 
and thank God of it. And sithen it is 
fallen as it is, I counsel you keep your- 
self, for, and ye will yourself, there is 
no fellowship of knights christened that 
shall do you wrong. Also I will counsel 
you, my lord Sir Launcelot, that and my 
lady queen Guenever be in distress, in- 
somuch as she is in pain for your sake, 
that ye knightly rescue her : and ye did 
other ways, all the world will speak of 
you shame to the world's end, insomuch 
as ye were taken with her, whether ye 
did right or wrong. It is now your 
part to hold with the queen, that she be 
not slain and put to a mischievous 
death, for, and she so die, the shame 
shall be yours. Jesu defend me from 
shame, said Sir Launcelot, and keep 
and save my lady the queen from 
villainy and shameful death, and that 
she never be destroyed in my default : 
wherefore, my fair lords, my kin and 
my friends, what will ye do? Then 



they said all, "We will do as ye will do. 
I put this to you, said Sir Launcelot, 
that if my lord Arthur by evil counsel 
will to-morn in his heat put my lady 
the queen to the fire, there to be burnt, 
— now, I pray you, counsel me what is 
best to do ? Then they said all at once 
with one voice. Sir, us thinketh best, 
that ye knightly rescue the queen; in- 
somuch as she shall be burnt, it is for 
your sake, and it is to suppose, and ye 
might be handled, ye should have the 
same death, or a more shamefuUer 
death; and, sir, we say all, that ye 
have many times rescued her from death 
for other men's quarrels, us seemeth it 
is more your worship that ye rescue the 
queen from this peril, insomuch she 
hath it for your sake. 

Then Sir Launcelot stood still, and 
said. My fair lords, wit you well, I 
would be loth to do that thing that 
should dishonour you or my blood, and 
wit you well, I would be loth that my 
lady the queen should die a shameful 
death, but and it be so that ye will 
counsel me to rescue her, I must do 
much harm or I rescue her, and perad- 
venture I shall there destroy some of 
my best friends, that should much re- 
pent me : and peradventure there be 
some, and they could well bring it 
about, or disobey my lord king Arthur, 
they would soon come to me, the which 
I were loth to hurt : and if so be that 
I rescue her, where shall I keep her? 
That shall be the least care of us all, 
said Sir Bors : how did the noble 
knight Sir Tristram by your good will ? 
Kept not he with him La Beale Isoud 
near three year in Joyous Gard, the 
which was done by your elders' device, 
and that same place is your own, and 
in likewise may ye do, and ye list, and 
take the queen lightly away, if it so be 
the king will judge her to be burnt, and 
in Joyous Gard ye may keep her long 
enough, until the heat of the king be 
past. And then shall ye bring again 
the queen to the king with great wor- 
ship, and then, peradventure, ye shall 
have thank for her bringing home, and 
love and thank where other shall have 



SIR MORDRED GOES TO KING ARTHUR. 



457 



maugre. That is hard to do, said Sir 
Launcelot, for by Sir Tristram I may 
have a warning. For when by means 
of treaties Sir Tristram brought again 
La Beale Isoud imto king Mark from* 
Joyous Gard, look what befell on the 
end, how shamefully that false traitor 
king Mark slew him as he sat harping 
afore his lady La Beale Isoud, with a 
grounden glaive he thrust him in behind 
to the heart. It grieveth me, said Sir 
Launcelot, to speak of his death, for all 
the world may not find such a knight. 
All this is tnith, said Sir Bors, but there 
is one thing shall courage you and us all : 
ye know well that king Arthur and king 
Mark were never like of conditions, for 
there was never yet man that could prove 
king Arthur untrue of his promise. So, 
to make short tale, they were all con- 
sented that for better or for worse, if so 
were that the queen were on that morn 
brought to the fire, shortly they all 
would rescue her. And so by the ad- 
vice of Sir Launcelot they put them all 
in an enbushment in a wood as nigh 
Carlisle as they might. And there they 
abode still to wit what the king would 
do. 

CHAP. VIL 

How Sir Mordred rode hastily to the king 
to tell him of the offray and death of 
Sir Agravaine and the other knights. 

Now turn we again unto Sir Mordred, 
that when he was escaped from the 
noble knight Sir Launcelot, he anon gat 
his horse and mounted upon him, and 
rode unto king Arthur, sore wounded 
and smitten, and all for-bled. And 
there he told the king all how it was, 
and how they were all slain save him- 
self all only. Mercy, how may this 
be, said the king; took ye him in the 
queen's chamber? Yea, truly, said Sir 
Mordred, there we found him unarmed, 
and there he slew Colgrevance, and 
armed him in his armour. And all this 
he told the king, from the beginning 
to the ending. Ah, mercy, said the 
king, he is a marvellous knight of 
prowess. Alas, me sore repenteth, 
said the king, that ever Sir Launcelot 



should be against me. Now I am sure 
the noble fellowship of the Round Table 
is broken for ever, for with him will 
many a noble knight hold : and now it 
is fallen so, said the king, that I may 
not with my worship but the queen 
must suffer the death. So then there 
was made great ordinance in this heat, 
that the queen must be judged to the 
death. And the law was such in those 
days, that whatsoever they were, of 
what estate or degree, if they were 
found guilty of treason, there should be 
none other remedy but death, and either 
the men or the taking with the deed 
should be causer of their hasty judg- 
ment. And right so was it ordained 
for queen Guenever, because Sir Mor- 
dred was escaped sore wounded, and 
the death of thirteen knights of the 
Round Table: — these proofs and ex- 
periences caused king Arthur to com- 
mand the queen to the fire, there to be 
burnt. Then spake Sir Gawaine and 
said : My lord Arthur, I would counsel 
you not to be over hasty, but that ye 
would put it in respite, this judgment of 
my lady the queen, for many causes. 
One it is, though it were so that Sir 
Launcelot were found in the queen's 
chamber, yet it might be that he came 
thither for none evil, for ye know, my 
lord, said Sir Gawaine, that the queen 
is much beholden unto Sir Launcelot, 
more than unto any other knight, for 
oft-times he hath saved her life, and 
done battle for her when all the court 
refused the queen, and, peradventure, 
she sent for him for goodness and for 
none evil, to reward him for his good 
deeds that he had done to her in time 
past. And, peradventure, my lady the 
queen sent for him to that intent that 
Sir Launcelot should come to her good 
grace privily and secretly, weening to 
her that it was best so to do, in eschew- 
ing and dreading of slander. For oft- 
times we do many things that we ween 
it be for the best, and yet, peradventure, 
it turneth to the worst. For I dare say, 
said Sir Gawaine, that my lady your 
queen is to you both good and true. 
And as for Sir Launcelot, said Sir 



458 



MORTE D ARTHUR, 



Gawaine, I dare say he will make it good 
upon any knight living that will put 
upon himself villainy or shame, and in 
likewise he will make good for my lady 
dame Guenever. That I believe well, 
said king Arthur, but I will not that 
way with Sir Launcelot, for he trusteth 
so much upon his hands and his might 
that he doubteth no man, and therefore 
for my queen he shall never fight more, 
for she shall have the law. And if I 
may get Sir Launcelot, wit ye well he 
shall have a shameful death. Jesu de- 
fend, said Sir Gawaine, that I may 
never see it. Why say ye so ? said king 
Arthur, for sooth ye have no cause to 
love Sir Launcelot, for this night last 
past he slew your brother Sir Agra- 
vaine, a full good knight, and also al- 
most he had slain your other brother 
Sir Mordred ; and also there he slew 
thirteen noble knights ; and also, Sir 
Gawaine, remember ye he slew two 
sons of yours, Sir Florence and Sir 
Lovel. My lord, said Sir Gawaine, of 
all this I have knowledge, of whose 
deaths I repent me sore, but insomuch I 
gave them warning, and told my brethren 
and my sons aforehand, what would fall 
in the end, insomuch they would not do 
by my counsel I will not meddle me 
thereof, nor revenge me nothing of their 
deaths, for I told them it was no bote 
to strive with Sir Launcelot ; howbeit I 
am sorry of the death of my brethren 
and of my sons, for they are the causers 
of their own death. For oft-times I 
warned my brother Sir Agravaine, and 
I told him the perils the which be now 
fallen. 

CHAP. VIII. 

How Sir Launcelot and bis kinsmen resetted 
the queen from the fire, and how he slew 
many knights. 

Then said the noble king Arthur to 
Sir Gawaine, Dear nephew, I pray you 
make you ready in your best armour, 
with your brethren Sir Gaheris and Sir 
Gareth, to bring my queen to the fire, 
there to have her judgment, and receive 
the death. Nay, my most noble lord, 
said Sir Gawaine, that will I never do, 



for, wit you well, I will never be in that 
place where so noble a queen as is my 
lady dame Guenever shall take a shame- 
ful end. For wit you well, said Sir Ga- 
waine, my heart will never serve me to 
see her die, and it shall never be said that 
even I was of your counsel of her death. 
Then, said the king to Sir Gawaine, suffer 
your brothers Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth 
to be there. My lord, said Sir Gawaine, 
wit you well they will be loth to be there 
present, because of many adventures the 
which be like there to fall, but they are 
young and full unable to say you nay. 
Then spake Sir Gaheris and the good 
knight Sir Gareth unto Sir Arthur, Sir, 
ye may well command us to be there, 
but wit you well it shall be sore against 
our will ; but and we be there by your 
strait commandment, ye shall plainly 
hold us there excused, we will be there 
in peaceable wise, and bear none har- 
ness of war upon us. In the name of 
God, said the king, then make you 
ready, for she shall soon have her judg- 
ment anon. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, 
that ever I should endure to see this 
woefull day. So Sir Gawaine turned 
him, and wept heartily, and so he went 
into his chamber, and then the queen 
was led forth without Carlisle, and 
there she was despoiled into her smock. 
And so then her ghostly father was 
brought to her, to be shriven of her 
misdeeds. Then was there weeping, 
and wailing, and wringing of hands, of 
many lords and ladies. But there were 
but few in comparison that would bear 
any armour for to strength the death of 
the queen. Then was there one that 
Sir Launcelot had sent unto that place 
for to espy what time the queen should 
go unto her death. And anon, as he 
saw the queen despoiled into her smock, 
and so shriven, then he gave Sir Laun- 
celot warning. Then was there but 
spurring and plucking up of horses, and 
right so they came to the fire, and 
who that stood against them, there they 
were slain, there might none withstand 
Sir Launcelot, so all that bare arms and 
withstood them, there were they slain — 
full many a noble knight. For there 



OF THE SORROW OF KING ARTHUR. 



459 



was slain Sir Belias le Orgulous, Sir 
Seg^varides, Sir Griflet, Sir Brandiles, 
Sir Aglovale, Sir Tor, Sir Gauter, Sir 
Gillimer, Sir Reynold's three brethren. 
Sir Damas, Sir Priamus, Sir Kay the 
stranger, Sir Driant, Sir Lambegus, Sir 
Herminde, Sir Pertilope, Sir Perimones, 
two brethren, that were called the green 
knight and the red knight. And so in 
this rashing and hurling as Sir Laun- 
celot thrang here and there, it mis- 
happed him to slay Gaheris and Sir 
Gareth, the noble knight, for they were 
unarmed and unaware, for, as the French 
book saith. Sir Launcelot smote Sir 
Gareth and Sir Gaheris upon the brain 
pans, where through they were slain in 
the field, howbeit in very truth Sir Laun- 
celot saw them not, and so were they 
found dead among the thickest of the 
press. Then when Sir Launcelot had 
thus done and slain, and put to flight 
all that would withstand him, then he 
rode straight unto dame Guenever, and 
made a kirtle and a gown to be cast upon 
her, and then he made her to be set 
behind him, and prayed her to be of 
good cheer. Wit you well the queen 
was glad that she was escaped from the 
death, and then she thanked God and 
Sir Launcelot. And so he rode his way 
with the queen, as the French book 
saith, unto Joyous Gard, and there he 
kept her as a noble knight should do, 
and many great lords and some kings 
sent Sir Launcelot many good knights, 
and many noble knights drew unto 
Sir Launcelot. When this was known 
openly, that king Arthur and Sir Laun- 
celot were at debate, and many were 
full heavy of their debate. 

CHAP. IX. 

0/ (he sorrow and lamentation of king 
Arthur for the death of bis nephews and 
other good knights, and also for the 
queen his wife. 

So turn we again unto king Arthur, 
that when it was told him how, and in 
what manner of wise the queen was 
taken away from the fire, and when he 
heard of the death of his noble knights, 



and in especial for Sir Gaheris' and Sir 
Gareth's death, then the king swooned 
for pure sorrow. And when he awoke of 
his swoon, then he said, Alas that ever I 
bare crown upon my head, for now have 
I lost the fairest fellowship of noble 
knights that ever held christian king to- 
gether. Alas, my good knights be slain 
away from me, now within these two 
days I have lost forty knights, and also 
the noble fellowship of Sir Launcelot 
and his blood, for now I may never 
hold them together no more with my 
worship. Alas, that ever this war began. 
Now, fair fellows, said the king, I 
charge you that no man tell Sir Gawaine 
of the death of his two brethren, for 1 am 
sure, said the king, when Sir Gawaine 
heareth tell that Sir Gareth is dead, he 
will go nigh out of his mind. Mercy, 
said the king, why slew he Sir Gareth 
and Sir Gaheris ! for I dare say as for 
Sir Gareth he loved Sir Launcelot above 
all men earthly. That is truth, said 
some knights, but they were slain in the 
hurtling, as Sir Launcelot thiang in the 
thick of the press, and as they were 
unarmed he smote them, and wist not 
whom that he smote, and so unhappily 
they were slain. The death of them, 
said Arthur, will cause the greatest 
mortal war that ever was. I am sure, 
wist Sir Gawaine that Sir Gareth were 
slain, I should never have rest of him 
till I had destroyed Sir Launcelot's kin 
and himself both, or else he to destroy 
me; and therefore, said the king, wit 
you well my heart was never so heavy as 
it is now, and much more I am sorrier 
for my good knights' loss, than for the 
loss of my fair queen, for queens I might 
have enow, but such a fellowship of 
good knights shall never be together in 
no company ; and now I dare say, said 
king Arthur, that there was never chris- 
tian king held such a fellowship to- 
gether, and alas that ever Sir Launcelot 
and I should be at debate. Ah, Agra- 
vaine, Agravaine, said the king, Jesu 
forgive it thy soul, for thine evil will, 
that thou and thy brother Sir Mor- 
dred haddest unto Sir Launcelot, hath 
caused all this sorrow. And ever 



460 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XX. 



among these complaints the king wept 
and swooned. 

Then there came one unto Sir Ga- 
waine, and told him how the queen was 
led away with Sir Launcelot, and nigh 
a twentyfour knights slain. O Jesu de- 
fend my brethren, said Sir Gawaine, for 
full well wist I that Sir Launcelot would 
rescue her, or else he would die in that 
field ; and to say the truth he had not 
been a man of worship, had he not 
rescued the queen that day, in so much 
she should have been burnt for his sake : 
and as in that, said Sir Gawaine, he hath 
done but knightly, and as I would have 
done myself, and I had stood in like 
case. But where are my brethren ? said 
Sir Gawaine, I marvel I hear not of 
them. Truly, said that man. Sir Gareth 
and Sir Gaheris be slain. Jesu defend, 
said Sir Gawaine, for all the world I 
would not that they were slain, and in 
especial my good brother Sir Gareth. 
Sir, said the man, he is slain, and that is 
great pity. Who slew him ? said Sir 
Gawaine. Sir, said the man, Launcelot 
slew them both. That may I not be- 
lieve said Sir Gawaine, that he slew my 
brother Sir Gareth, for I dare say my 
brother Gareth loved him better than 
me and all his brethren, and the king 
both. Also I dare say, and Sir Laun- 
celot had desired my brother Sir Gareth 
with him, he would have been with him 
against the king and us all, and therefore 
I may never believe that Sir Launcelot 
slew my brother. Sir, said this man, it 
is noised that he slew him. 

CHAP. X. 

How king Arthur at the request of Sir 
Gawaine concluded to make war against 
Sir Launcelot, and laid siege to his castle 
called Joyous Gard. 

Alas, said Sir Gawaine, now is my 
joy gone. And then he fell down and 
swooned, and long he lay there as he 
had been dead. And then when he arose 
of his swoon, he cried out sorrowfully 
and said, Alas ! And right so Sir Ga- 
waine ran to the king cr}'ing and weep- 
ing, O king Arthur, mine uncle, my 



good brother Sir Gareth is slain, and so 
is my brother Sir Gaheris, the which 
were two noble knights. Then the king 
wept and he both, and so they fell on 
swooning. And when they were re- 
vived, then spake Sir Gawaine, Sir, I 
will go see my brother Sir Gareth. Ye 
may not see him, said the king, for I 
caused him to be inteiTed, and Sir Ga- 
heris both ; for I well understood that 
ye would make over much sorrow, and 
the sight of Sir Gareth should have 
caused your double sorrow. Alas, my 
lord, said Sir Gawaine, how slew he my 
brother Sir Gareth? mine own good 
lord, I pray you tell me. Truly, said 
the king, 1 shall tell you as it is told 
me. Sir Launcelot slew him and Sir Ga- 
heris both. Alas, said Sir Gawaine, 
they bare none arms against him, 
neither of them both. I wot not how it 
was, said the king, but, as it is said. Sir 
Launcelot slew them both in the thickest 
of the press, and knew them not ; and 
therefore let us shape a remedy for to 
revenge their deaths. My king, my lord, 
and mine uncle, said Sir Gawaine, wit 
you well, now I shall make you a 
promise that I shall hold by my knight- 
hood, that from this day I shall never 
fail Sir Launcelot, until the one of us 
have slain the other : and therefore I re- 
quire you, my lord and king, dress you 
to the war, for wit you well I will be 
revenged upon Sir Launcelot, and there- 
fore, as ye will have my service and my 
love, now haste you thereto, and assay 
your friends. For I promise unto God, 
said Sir Gawaine, for the death of my 
brother Sir Gareth I shall seek Sir 
Launcelot throughout seven kings' 
realms but 1 shall slay him, or else he 
shall slay me. Ye shall not need to seek 
him so far, said the king, for, as I hear 
say. Sir Launcelot will abide me and 
you in the Joyous Gard, and much 
people draweth unto him as I hear say. 
That may I believe, said Sir Gawaine, 
but my lord, he said, assay your friends, 
and I will assay mine. It shall be done, 
said the king, and, as I suppose, I shall 
be big enough to draw him out of the 
biggest tower of his castle. So then 



HOW ARTHUR REPROVED LAUNCELOT. 



461 



the king sent letters and writs through- 
out all England, both in the length and 
the breadth, for to assummon all his 
knights. And so unto Arthur drew 
many knights, dukes, and earls, so that he 
had a great host. And when they were 
assembled, the king informed them all 
how Sir Launcelot had bereft him his 
queen. Then the king and all his host 
made them ready to lay siege about Sir 
Launcelot, where he lay within Joyous 
Gard. Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, 
and purveyed him of many good knights, 
for with him held many knights, and 
some for his own sake, and some for the 
queen's sake. Thus theywereonboth par- 
ties well furnished and garnished of all 
manner of things that longed to the war. 
But king Arthur's host was so big that 
Sir Launcelot would not abide him in 
the field, for he was full loth to do 
battle against the king; but Sir Laun- 
celot drew him to his strong castle with 
all manner of victual, and as many noble 
men as he might suffice within the town 
and the castle. Then came king Arthur 
with Sir Gawaine, with an huge host, 
and laid a siege all about Joyous Gard, 
both at the town and at the castle, and 
there they made strong war on both 
parties. But in no wise Sir Launcelot 
would ride out nor go out of his castle 
of long time, neither he would none of 
his good knights to issue out, neither 
none of the town nor of the castle, 
until fifteen weeks were past. 

CHAP. XL 

0/ the communication between king Arthur 
and Sir Launcelot, and bow king Arthur 
reproved him. 

Then it befell upon a day in harvest 
time. Sir Launcelot looked over the 
walls, and spake on high unto king 
Arthur and Sir Gawaine, My lords both, 
wit ye well all is in vain that ye make 
' at this siege, for here win ye no worship, 
but maugre and dishonour, for and 
; it list me to come myself out, and my 
good knights, I should full soon make 
an end of this war. Come forth, said 
Arthur unto Launcelot, and thou darest, 



and I promise thee I shall meet thee in 
midst of the field. God defend me, said 
Sir Launcelot, that ever I should en- 
counter with the most noble king that 
made me knight. Fie upon thy fair 
language, said the king, for wit you well, 
and trust it, I am thy mortal foe, and 
ever will to my death day, for thou hast 
slain my good knights and full noble 
men of my blood, that I shall never 
recover again: also thou hast dis- 
honoured my queen, and holdcn her 
many winters, and sithen like a traitor 
taken her from me by force. My most 
noble lord and king, said Sir Launcelot, 
ye may say what ye will, for ye wot well 
with yourself I will not strive, but there 
as ye say I have slain your good knights, 
I wot well that I have done so, and that 
me sore repenteth, but I was enforced to 
do battle with them, in saving of my 
life, or else I must have suffered them to 
have slain me. And as for my lady 
queen Guenever, except your person of 
your highness, and my lord Sir Gawaine, 
there is no knight under heaven that 
dare make it good upon me, that ever I 
was traitor unto your person. And 
where it pleaseth you to say that I have 
holden my lady your queen years and 
winters, unto that I shall make a large 
answer, and prove it upon any knight 
that beareth the life, except your person 
and Sir Gawaine, that my lady queen 
Guenever is a true lady unto your per- 
son, as any is living unto her lord, and 
that will I make good with my hands ; 
howbeit, it hath liked her good grace to 
have me in charity, and to cherish me 
more than any other knight, and unto 
my power I again have deserved her 
love, for oft-times, my lord, ye have 
consented that she should be burnt and 
destroyed in your heat, and then it for- 
tuned me to do battle for her, and or I 
departed from her adversary they con- 
fessed their untmth, and she full worship- 
fully excused. And at such times, my 
lord Arthur, said Sir Launcelot, ye loved 
me, and thanked me when I saved your 
queen from the fire, and then ye promised 
me for ever to be my good lord, and 
now me thinketh ye reward me full ill 



462 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XX. 



for my good service ; and, my good lord, 
me seemeth I had lost a great part of 
my worship in my knighthood, and I 
had suffered my lady your queen to have 
been burnt, and insomuch she should 
have been burnt for my sake. For sithen 
I have done battles for your queen in 
other quarrels than in mine own, me 
seemeth now I had more right to do 
battle for her in right quarrel, and there- 
fore my good and gracious lord, said Sir 
Launcelot, take your queen unto your 
good grace, for she is both fair, true, 
and good. Fie on thee, false recreant 
knight, said Sir Gawaine, I let thee wit 
my lord mine uncle king Arthur shall 
have his queen and thee, maugre thy 
visage, and slay you both whether it 
please him. It may well be, said Sir 
Launcelot, but wit ye well, my lord Sir 
Gawaine, and me list to come out of this 
castle, ye should win me and the queen 
more harder than ever ye wan a strong 
battle. Fie on thy proud words, said Sir 
Gawaine ; as for my lady the queen, I will 
never say of her shame, but thou false 
and recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, 
what cause hadst thou to slay my good 
brother Sir Gareth, that loved thee more 
than all my kin ? Alas, thou madest him 
knight with thine own hands; why slewest 
thou him that loved thee so well ? For to 
excuse me, said Sir Launcelot, it helpeth 
me not, but by the faith that I owe to 
the high order of knighthood, I should 
with as good will have slain my nephew 
Sir Eors de Ganis at that time : but alas, 
that ever I was so unhappy, said Laun- 
celot, that I had not seen Sir Gareth 
and Sir Gaheris. Thou liest, recreant 
knight, said Sir Gawaine, thou slewest 
him in despite of me : and therefore wit 
thou well I shall make war to thee, and 
all the while that I may live. That me 
repenteth, said Sir Launcelot, for well I 
understand it helpeth me not to seek 
none accordment, while ye Sir Gawaine 
are so mischievously set. And if ye 
were not, I would not doubt to have the 
good grace of my lord Arthur. I believe 
it well, false recreant knight, said Sir 
Gawaine, for thou hast many long days 
overled me, and us all, and destroyed 



many of our good knights. Ye say as 
it pleaseth you, said Sir Launcelot, and 
yet may it never be said on me and 
openly proved, that ever I before cast of 
treason, slew no good knight, as, my lord 
Sir Gawaine, ye have done. And so did 
I never, but in my defence, that I was 
driven thereto, in saving of my life. Ah, 
false knight, said Sir Gawaine, that thou 
meanest by Sir Lamorak : wit thou well 
I slew him. Ye slew him not yourself, 
said Sir Launcelot, it had been over 
much on hand for you to have slain him, 
for he was one of the best knights 
christened of his age, and it was great 
pity of his death. 

CHAP. XII. 

How the cousins and kinsmen of Sir Laun- 
celot excited him to go out to battle, and 
how they made thei7i ready. 

Well, well, said Sir Gawaine to Sir 
Launcelot, sithen thou upbraidest me of 
Sir Lamorak, wit thou well I shall 
never leave thee till I have thee at such 
avail that thou shalt not escape my 
hands. I trust you well enough, said Sir 
Launcelot, and ye may get me I shall 
get but little mercy. But, as the French 
book saith, the noble king Arthur would 
have taken his queen again, and have 
been accorded with Sir Launcelot, but 
Sir Gawaine would not suffer him by no 
manner of mean. And then Sir Ga- 
waine made many men to blow upon Sir 
Launcelot, and all at once they called 
him False recreant knight ! Then when 
Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, 
and Sir Lionel heard this outcry, they 
called to them Sir Palamides, Sir Safere's 
brother, and Sir Lavaine, with many 
more of their blood, and all they went 
unto Sir Launcelot, and said thus, My 
lord Sir Launcelot, wit ye well we have 
great scorn of the great rebukes that we 
heard Gawaine say to you; wherefore 
we pray you and charge you, as ye will 
have our service, keep us no longer 
within these walls, for wit you well, 
plainly, we will ride into the field, and 
do battle with them. For ye fare as 
a man that were afeard, and for all your | 



CHAP. XIII. OF THE WAR BETWEEN ARTHUR AND LAUNCELOT. 463 



fair speech it will not avail you. For 
wit you well, Sir Gawaine will not suffer 
you to be accorded with king Arthur ; 
and therefore fight for your life, and 
your right, and ye dare. Alas, said Sir 
Launcelot, for to ride out of this castle 
and to do battle, I am full loth. Then 
Sir Launcelot spake on high unto Sir Ar- 
thur and Sir Gawaine, My lords, I require 
you and beseech you, sithen that 1 am 
thus required and conjured to ride into 
the field, that neither you my lord king 
Arthur, nor you Sir Gawaine, come not 
into the field, ^^'hat shall we do then? 
said Sir Gawaine, is this the king's quar- 
rel with thee to fight ? and it is my quarrel 
to fight with thee Sir Launcelot, because 
of the death of my brother Sir Gareth. 
Then must I needs unto battle, said Sir 
Launcelot ; now wit you well, my lord 
Arthur, and Sir Gawaine, ye will repent 
it whensoever I do battle with you. And 
so then they departed either from other, 
and then either party made them ready 
on the morn for to do battle, and 
great purveyance was made on both 
sides. And Sir Gawaine let purvey 
many knights for to wait upon Sir Laun- 
celot for to overset him, and to slay 
him. And on the morn at undorne 
Sir Arthur was ready in the field with 
three great hosts, and then Sir Laun- 
celot's fellowship came out at three 
gates, in a full good array. And Sir 
Lionel came in the foremost battle, and 
Sir Launcelot came in the middle, and 
Sir Bors came out at the third gate. 
Thus they came in order and rule as full 
noble knights. And always Sir Laun- 
celot charged, all his knights in any wise 
to save king Arthur and Sir Gawaine. 

CHAP. xin. 

How Sir Gawaine justed and smote down 
Sir Lionel, and bow Sir Launcelot 
horsed king Arthur. 

Then came forth Sir Gawaine from 
the king's host, and he came before and 
proffered to just, and Sir Lionel was a 
fierce knight, and lightly he encountered 
with Sir Gawaine, and there Sir Gawaine 
smote Sir Lionel throughout the body, 



that he dashed to the earth like as he 
had been dead. And then Sir Ector de 
Maris and other more bare him into the 
castle. Then began a great stoure, and 
much people was slain, and ever Sir 
Launcelot did what he might to save 
the people on king Arthur's party. For 
Sir Palamides, and Sir Bors, and Sir 
Safere overthrew many knights, for they 
were deadly knights, and Sir Blamor de 
Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, with 
Sir Bellangere le Beuse, these six knights 
did much harm. And ever king Arthur 
was nigh about Sir Launcelot to have 
slain him, and Sir Launcelot suffered 
him, and would not strike again. So 
Sir Bors encountered with king Arthur, 
and there with a spear Sir Bors smote 
him down ; and so he alight and drew 
his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot, 
Shall I make an end of this war ? and 
that he meant to have slain king Arthur. 
Not so hardy, said Sir Launcelot, upon 
pain of thy head, that thou touch him 
no more : for I will never see that most 
noble king, that made me knight, neither 
slain ne shamed. And therewithal Sir 
Launcelot ahght off his horse, and took 
up the king, and horsed him again, and 
said thus, My lord Arthur, for God's 
love stint this strife, for ye get here no 
worship and I would do mine utter- 
ance, but always I forbear you, and ye, 
nor none of yours, forbeareth me : my 
lord remember what I have done in 
many places, and now I am evil 
rewarded. 

Then when king Arthur was on 
horseback, he looked upon Sir Laun- 
celot, and then the tears brast out of 
his eyes, thinking on the great courtesy 
that was in Sir Launcelot, more than in 
any other man. And therewith the 
king rode his way, and might no longer 
behold him, and said, Alas, that ever 
this war began ! And then either parties 
of the battles withdrew them to repose 
them, and buried the dead, and to the 
wounded men they laid soft salves, and 
thus they endured that night till on the 
morn, and on the morn by undorne they 
made them ready to do battle. And 
then Sir Bors led the forward. So 



454 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



upon the morn there came Sir Gawaine 
as brim as any boar, with a great spear 
in his hand, and when Sir Bors saw him, 
he thought to revenge his brother Sir 
Lionel of the despite that Sir Gawaine 
did him the other day. And so they 
that knew either other feutered their 
spears, and with all their mights of their 
horses and themselves they met together 
so felonously that either bare other 
through, and so they fell both to the 
earth ; and then the battles joined, and 
there was much slaughter on both 
parties. Then Sir Launcelot rescued 
Sir Bors, and sent him into the castle. 
But neither Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors 
died not of their wounds ; for they were 
all holpen. Then Sir Lavaine and Sir 
Urre prayed Sir Launcelot to do his 
pain, and fight as they had done : — For 
we see ye forbear and spare, and that 
doth much harm, therefore we pray you 
spare not your enemies no more than 
they do you. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, 
I have no heart to fight against my lord 
Arthur, for ever me seemeth I do not as 
I ought to do. My lord, said Sir Pala- 
mides, though ye spare them all this 
day they will never give you thank; 
and if they may get you at avail ye are 
but dead. So then Sir Launcelot un- 
derstood that they said him truth, and 
then he strained himself more than he 
did aforehand, and because his nephew 
Sir Bors was sore wounded. And then 
within a little while, by even-song time. 
Sir Launcelot and his party better stood, 
for their horses went in blood past the 
fetlocks, there was so much people 
slain. And then, for pity, Sir Laun- 
celot withheld his knights, and suffered 
king Arthur's party for to withdraw 
them on side. And then Sir Laun- 
celot's party withdrew them into his 
castle, and either party buried the dead 
bodies and put salve unto the wounded 
men. So when Sir Gawaine was hurt, 
they on king Arthur's party were not so 
orgulous as they were toforehand to do 
battle. Of this war was noised through 
all Christendom, and at the last it was 
noised afore the Pope ; and he consider- 
ing the great goodness of king Arthur 



and of Sir Launcelot, that was called 
the most noblest knights of the world, 
wherefore the Pope called unto him a 
noble clerk, that at that time was there 
present, — the French book saith it was 
the bishop of Rochester — and the Pope 
gave him bulls under lead unto king 
Arthur of England, charging him upon 
pain of interdicting of all England, that 
he take his queen dame Guenever unto 
him again, and accord with Sir Laun- 
celot. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How the pope sent down his bulls to make 
peace, and how Sir Launcelot brought 
the queen to king Arthur. 
So when this bishop was come to 
Carlisle he shewed the king these bulls. 
And when the king understood these 
bulls, he nist what to do : full fain he 
would have been accorded with Sir 
Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would not 
suffer him ; but as for to have the queen, 
thereto he agreed. But in no wise Sir 
Gawaine would not suffer the king to 
accord with Sir Launcelot, but as for 
the queen he consented. And then the 
bishop had of the king his great seal, 
and his assurance, as he was a true 
anointed king, that Sir Launcelot 
should come safe and go safe, and 
that the queen should not be spoken 
unto, of the king, nor of none other, 
for no thing done afore time past. And 
of all these appointments the bishop 
brought with him sure assurance and 
writing, to shew Sir Launcelot. So 
when the bishop was come to Joyous 
Gard, there he shewed Sir Launcelot 
how the Pope had written to Arthur 
and unto him, and there he told him 
the perils if he withheld the queen from 
the king. It was never in my thought, 
said Launcelot, to withhold the queen 
from my lord Arthur; but in so much she 
should have been dead for my sake, me 
seemeth it was my part to save her life, 
and put her from that danger till better 
recover might come. And now I thank 
God, said Sir Launcelot, that the Pope 
hath made her peace ; for God knoweth, 
said Sir Launcelot, I will be a thousand 



HOW THE POPE MADE PEACE. 



465 



fold more gladder to bring her again 
than ever I was of her taking away, — 
with this, I may be sure to come safe 
and go safe, and that the queen shall 
have her liberty as she had before, and 
never for no thing that hath been sur- 
mised afore this time, she never from 
this day stand in no peril ; for else, said 
Sir Launcelot, I dare adventure me to 
keep her from an harder shower than 
ever I kept her. It shall not need you, 
said the bishop, to dread so much : for 
wit you well the Pope must be obeyed ; 
and it were not the Pope's worship nor 
my poor honesty to wit you distressed, 
neither the queen, neither in peril nor 
shamed. And then he shewed Sir 
Launcelot all his writing, both from 
the Pope and from king Arthur. This 
is sure enough, said Sir Launcelot, for 
full well I dare trust my lord's o%vn 
writing and his seal, for he was never 
shamed of his promise. 

Therefore, said Sir Launcelot unto 
the bishop, ye shall ride unto the king 
afore, and recommand me unto his good 
grace, and let him have knowledging 
that this same day eight days, by the 
grace of God, I myself shall bring my 
lady queen Guenever unto him. And 
then say ye unto my most redoubted 
king, that I will say largely for the 
queen, that I shall none except for dread, 
nor fear, but the king himself, and my 
lord Sir Gawaine, and that is more for 
the king's love than for himself. So 
the bishop departed, and came to the 
king at Carlisle, and told him all how 
Sir Launcelot answered him • and then 
the tears brast out of the king's eyes. 
Then Sir Launcelot pui-veyed him an 
hundred knights, and all were clothed 
in green velvet, and their horses trapped 
to their heels, and every knight held a 
branch of olive in his hand in tokening 
of peace, and the queen had four and 
twenty gentlewomen following her in 
the same wise, and Sir Launcelot had 
twelve coursers following him, and on 
every courser sat a young gentleman, 
and all they were arrayed in green 
velvet, with sarpis of gold about their 
quarters, and the horse trapped in the 



same w^ise down to the heels with many 
ouches, set with stones and pearls in 
gold, to the number of a thousand ; and 
she and Sir Launcelot were clothed in 
white cloth of gold tissue, and right so 
as ye have heard, as the French book 
maketh mention, he rode with the queen 
from Joyous Gard to Carlisle, and so Sir 
Launcelot rode throughout Carlisle, and 
so in the castle, that all men might be- 
hold and wit you well there was many a 
weeping eye. And then Sir Launcelot 
himself alight, and avoided his horse, 
and took the queen, and so led her 
where king Arthur was in his seat, and 
Sir Gawaine sat afore him, and many 
other great lords. So when Sir Laun- 
celot saw the king and Sir Gawaine, 
then he led the queen by the arm, and 
then he kneeled down, and the queen 
both. Wit you well, then was there 
many bold knights there with king 
Arthur that wept as tenderly as though 
they had seen all their kin afore them. 
So the king sat still, and said no word. 
And when Sir Launcelot saw his coun- 
tenance, he arose and pulled up the 
queen with him, and thus he spake full 
knightly : — 

CHAP. XV. 

0/ the deliverance of the queen to the ling 
by Sir Launcelot, and what language 
Sir Gawaine had to Sir Launcelot. 
My most redoubted king, ye shall 
understand, by the Pope's command- 
ment, and yours, I have brought to you 
my lady the queen, as right requirelh ; 
and if there be any knight, of whatso- 
ever degree that he be, except your per- 
son, that will say or dare say but that 
she is true to you, I here myself. Sir 
Launcelot du Lake, will make it good 
upon his body that she is a true lady 
unto you : but liars ye have listened, and 
that has caused debate betwixt you and 
me. For time hath been, my lord 
Arthur, that ye have been greatly 
pleased with me, when I did battle for 
my lady your queen ; and full well ye 
know my most noble king, that she 
hath been put to great wrong or this 
time, and sithen it pleased you at many 



30 



466 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



times that I should fight for her, me 
seemeth, my good lord, I had more 
cause to rescue her from the fire, inso- 
much she should have been burnt for 
my sake. For they that told you those 
tales were liars, and so it fell upon them. 
For, by likelihood, had not the might of 
God been with me, I might never have 
endured fourteen knights, and they armed 
and afore purposed, and I unaimed and 
not pui-posed; for I was sent for unto 
my lady your queen, I wot not for what 
cause, but I was not so soon within the 
chamber door, but anon Sir Agravaine 
and Sir Mordred called me traitor and 
recreant knight. They called thee right, 
said Sir Gawaine. My lord Sir Gawaine, 
said Sir Launcelot, in their quarrel they 
proved themselves not in the right. 
Well, well. Sir Launcelot, said king 
Arthur, I have given thee no cause to 
do to me as thou hast done, for I have 
worshipped thee and thine more than 
any of all my knights. My good lord, 
said Sir Launcelot, so ye be not dis- 
pleased, ye shall understand I and mine 
have done you oft better service than 
any other knights have done in many 
divers places ; and where ye have 
been full hard bested divers times, I 
have myself rescued you from many 
dangers, and ever unto my power I was 
glad to please you, and my lord Sir 
Gawaine both, in justs and tournaments, 
and in battles set, both on horseback 
and on foot, I have often rescued you, 
and my lord Sir Gawaine, and many 
more of your knights in many divers 
places. For now I will make avaunt, 
said Sir Launcelot, I will that ye all wit 
that yet I found never no manner of 
knight, but that I was over-hard for 
him, and I had done my utterance, 
thanked be God; howbeit I have been 
matched with good knights, as Sir Tris- 
tram and Sir Lamorak, but ever I had a 
favour unto them, and a deeming what 
they were ; and I take God to record, 
said Sir Launcelot, I never was wroth 
nor greatly heavy with no good knight, 
and I saw him busy about to win wor- 
ship : and full glad I was ever when I 
found any knight that might endure me 



on horseback and on foot. Howbeit, 
Sir Carados of the dolorous tower was 
a full noble knight, and a passing strong 
man, and that wot ye, my lord Sir Ga- 
waine; for he might well be called a 
noble knight, when he by fine force 
pulled you out of your saddle, and 
bound you overthwart afore him to his 
saddle bow ; and there, my lord Sir 
Gawaine, I rescued you, and slew him 
afore your sight.. Also I found his 
brother. Sir Turquin, in like wise lead- 
ing Sir Gaheris your brother bounden 
afore him, and there I rescued your 
brother, and slew that Sir Turquin, and 
delivered threescore and four of my 
lord Arthur's knights out of his prison. 
And now I dare say, said Sir Launcelot, 
I met never with so strong knights, nor 
so well fighting, as was Sir Carados and 
Sir Turquin, for I fought with them to 
the uttermost ; and therefore, said Sir 
Launcelot unto Sir Gawaine, me seemeth 
ye ought of right for to remember this : 
for and I might have your good will, I 
would trust to God to have my lord 
Arthur's good grace. 

CHAP. XVL 

0/ the communication between Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Laimcelot, with much 
other language. 

The king may do as he will, said Sir 
Gawaine, but wit thou well, Sir Laun- 
celot, thou and I shall never be accorded 
while we live, for thou hast slain three 
of my brethren, and twain of them ye 
slew traitorly and piteously, for they 
bare none harness against thee, nor none 
would bear. God would they had been 
armed, said Sir Launcelot, for then had 
they been on live. And wit ye well, 
Sir Gawaine, as for Sir Gareth, I love 
none of my kinsmen so much as I did 
him, and ever while I live, said Sir 
Launcelot, I will bewail Sir Gareth's 
death, not all only for the great fear 
that I have of you, but many causes 
causen me to be sorrowful. One is, for 
I made him knight ; another is, I wot 
well he loved me above all other knights; 
and the third is, he was passing noble, 



CHAP. XVII. HOW LAUNCELOT DEPARTED OVER THE SEA. 



467 



true, courteous, and gentle, and well con- 
ditioned ; the fourth is, I wist well, anon 
as I heard that Sir Gareth was dead, I 
should never after have your love, but 
everlasting war betwixt us ; and also I 
wist well that ye would cause my noble 
lord Arthur for ever to be my mortal 
foe, and as Jesu be my help, said Sir 
Launcelot, I slew never Sir Gareth 
nor vSir Gaheris by my will, but 
alas, that ever they were unarmed that 
unhappy day. But thus much I shall 
offer me, said Sir Launcelot, if it may 
please the king's good grace, and you, 
my lord Sir Gawaine : I shall first begin 
at Sandwich, and there I shall go in my 
shirt, barefoot, and at every ten miles 
end I will found, and cause to make an 
house of religion, of what order that ye 
will assign me, with an whole convent 
to sing and read day and night in 
especial for Sir Gareth's sake and Sir 
Gaheris. And this shall I perform from 
Sandwich unto Carlisle; and every house 
shall have sufficient livelihood, and this 
shall I perform while I have any liveli- 
hood in Christendom, and there is none 
of all these religious places, but they 
shall be performed, furnished and gar- 
nished in all things as an holy place 
ought to be, I promise you faithfully. 
And this. Sir Gawaine, me thinketh 
were more fairer, holier, and more better 
to their souls, than ye my most noble 
king, and you, Sir Gawaine, to war 
upon me, for thereby shall ye get none 
avail. Then all knights and ladies that 
were there wept as they were mad, and 
the tears fell on king Arthur's cheeks. 
Sir Launcelot, said Sir Gawaine, I have 
right well heard thy speech, and thy 
great proffers, but wit thou well, let 
the king do as it pleaseth him, I will 
never forgive my brothers' death, and in 
especial the death of my brother Sir 
Gareth : and if mine uncle, king Arthur, 
will accord with thee, he shall lose my 
service : for wit thou well, thou art both 
false to the king and to me. Sir, said 
Sir Launcelot, he beareth not the life 
that may make that good, and if that 
ye. Sir Gawaine, will charge me with so 
high a thing, ye must pardon me, for 



then needs must I answer you. Nay, 
said Sir Gawaine, we are past that at 
this time, and that caused the Pope, for 
he hath charged mine uncle the king, 
that he shall take his queen again, and 
to accord with thee. Sir Launcelot, as 
for this season, and therefore thou shalt 
go safe, as thou earnest. But in this 
land thou shall not abide past fifteen 
days, such summons I give you ; — so 
the king and we were consented and 
accorded, or thou earnest hither; and 
else, said Sir Gawaine, wit thou well, 
that thou shouldest not have come here, 
but if it Avere maugre thy head. And 
if it were not for the Pope's command- 
ment, said Sir Gawaine, I should do 
battle with mine own body against thy 
body, and prove it upon thee that thou 
hast been both false unto mine uncle 
king Arthur, and to me both, and that 
shall I prove upon thy body when thou 
art departed from hence, wheresoever I 
find thee. 

CHAP. XVIL 
How Sir Launcelot departed from the king 
and from Joyous Gard over seaward, 
and what knights went with him. 
Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and there- 
with the tears fell on his cheeks, and then 
he said thus : Alas, most noble christian 
realm, whom I have loved above all 
other realms, and in thee have I gotten 
a great part of my worship, and now I 
shall depart in this wise. Tnily me 
repenteth that ever I came in this realm 
that should be thus shamefully banished, 
undeserved and causeless. But fortune 
is so variant, and the wheel so movable, 
there is no constant abiding, and that 
may be proved by many old chronicles 
of noble Hector, and Troilus, and Ali- 
sander the mighty conqueror, and many 
other more. When they were most in 
their royalty, they alight lowest; and 
so fareth by me, said Sir Launcelot, for 
in this realm I had worship, and by me 
and mine all the whole Round 1 able 
hath been increased more in worship by 
me and my blood than by any other. 
And therefore wit thou well. Sir Ga- 
waine, 1 may live upon my lands as 

30—2 



468 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



well as any knight that here is. And 
if ye, most redoubted king, will come 
upon my lands with Sir Gawaine, to 
war upon me, I must endure you as 
well as I may. But as to you, Sir Ga- 
waine, if that ye come there, I pray 
you charge me not with treason nor 
felony, for, and ye do, I must answer 
you. Do thou thy Lest, said Sir Ga- 
waine, therefore hie thee fast that thou 
were gone, and wit thou well we shall 
soon come after, and break the strongest 
castle that thou hast upon thy head. 
That shall not need, said Sir Launcelot, 
for and I were as orgulous set as ye are, 
wit ye well I should meet with you in 
midst of the field. Make thou no more 
language, said Sir Gawaine, but deliver 
the queen from thee, and pike thee 
lightly out of this court. Well, said 
Sir Launcelot, and I had wist of this 
short coming, I would have advised me 
twice or that I had come hither ; for 
and the queen had been so dear to me 
as ye noise her, I durst have kept her 
from the fellowship of the best knights 
under heaven. And then Sir Launcelot 
said unto Guenever, in hearing of the 
king and them all. Madam, now I must 
depart from you and this noble fellow- 
ship for ever ; and sithen it is so, I be- 
seech you to pray for me, and say me 
well, and if ye be hard bestad by any 
false tongues, lightly, my lady, let send 
me word, and if any knight's hands 
may deliver you by battle, I shall de- 
liver you. And therewithal Sir Launce- 
lot kissed the queen, and then he said 
all openly. Now let see what he be in 
this place, that dare say the queen is 
not true unto my lord Arthur: let see 
who will speak, and he dare speak. 
And therewith he brought the queen to 
the king, and then Sir Launcelot took 
his leave and departed; and there was 
neither king, duke ne earl, baron ne 
knight, lady nor gentlewoman, but all 
they wept as people out of their mind, 
except Sir Gawaine ; and when the noble 
Sir Launcelot took his horse, to ride 
out of Carlisle, there was sobbing and 
weeping for pure dole of his departing ; 
and so he took his wayimto Joyous Gaid, 



and then ever after he called it the 
Dolorous Gard. And thus departed 
Sir Launcelot from the court for ever. 
And so when he came to Joyous Gard, 
he called his fellowship unto him, and 
asked them what they would do. Then 
they answered all wholly together with 
one voice, they would as he would do. 
My fair fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I 
must depart out of this most noble 
realm, and now I shall depart it 
grieveth me sore, for I shall depart 
with no worship. For a banished 
man departed never out of no realm 
with no worship, and that is my heavi- 
ness, for ever I fear after my days that 
they shall chronicle upon me that I was 
banished out of this land ; and else, my 
fair lords, be ye sure, and I had not 
dread shame, my lady queen Guenever 
and I should never have departed. Then 
spake many noble knights, as Sir Pala- 
mides, Sir Safir his brother, and Sir 
Bellangere le Beuse, and Sir Urre with 
Sir Lavaine, with many other. Sir, and ye 
be so disposed to abide in this country, 
we will never fail you ; and if ye list not 
to abide in this land, there is none of 
the good knights that here be will fail 
you, for many causes. One is, all we 
that be not of your blood shall never be 
welcome to the court. And sithen it 
liked us to take a part with you in your 
distress and heaviness in this realm, wit 
you well it shall like us as well to go 
in other countries with you, and there 
to take such part as ye do. My fair 
lords, said Sir Launcelot, I well under- 
stand you, and, as I can, thank you : 
and ye shall understand such livelihood 
as I am born unto I shall depart with 
you, in this manner of wise, that is 
for to say, I shall depart all my liveli- 
hood and all my lands freely among 
you, and I myself will have as little as 
any of you, for have I sufficient that 
may long to my person, I will ask none 
other rich array ; and I trust to God to 
maintain you on my lands as well as 
ever were maintained any knights. Then 
spake all the knights at once, He 
have shame that will leave you; for 
we all understand in this realm will be 



CHAP. xvin. HOW HE MADE HIS KNIGHTS GREAT LORDS. 



469 



now no quiet, but ever strife and debate, 
now the fellowship of the Round Table 
is broken ; for by the noble fellowship 
of the Round Table was king Arthur 
upborne, and by their nobleness the 
king and all his realm was in quiet and 
in rest. And a great part, they said all, 
was because of your nobleness. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

How Sir Lmtncelot passed over the sea, 
and how he made great lords of the 
knights that went with him. 

Truly, said Sir Launcelot, I thank 
you all of your good saying, howbeit, I 
wot well, in me was not all the stability 
of this realm. But in that I might I did 
my devoir, and well, I am sure, I knew 
many rebellions in my days that by me 
were appeased ; and I trow we all shall 
hear of them in short space, and that 
me sore repenteth. For ever I dread 
me, said Sir Launcelot, that Sir Mor- 
dred will make trouble, for he is passing 
envious, and applieth him to trouble. 
So they were accorded to go with Sir 
Launcelot to his lands. And to make 
short tale, they trussed, and paid all that 
would ask them. And wholly an hun- 
dred knights departed with Sir Launce- 
lot at once, and made their avows they 
would never leave him for weal nor for 
woe; and so they shipped at Cardiff, 
and sailed unto Benwick: some men 
call it Bayonne, and some men call it 
Beaume, where the wine of Beaume is. 
But to say the sooth. Sir Launcelot and 
his nephews were lords of all France, 
and of all the lands that longed unto 
France, he and his kindred rejoiced 
it all through Sir Launcelot's noble 
prowess. And then Sir Launcelot 
stuffed and furnished and garnished all 
his noble towns and castles. Then all 
the people of those lands came unto Sir 
Launcelot on foot and hands. And so 
when he had established all these 
countries, he shortly called a parlia- 
ment ; and there he crowned Sir Lionel 
king of France ; and Sir Bors he 
crowned him king of all king Claudas' 
kinds; and Sir Ector de Maris, that 



was Sir Launcelot's youngest "brother, 
he crowned him king of Benwick, and 
also king of all Guienne, that was Sir 
Launcelot's own land. And he made 
Sir Ector prince of them all, and thus 
he departed. Then Sir Launcelot ad- 
vanced all his noble knights, and first 
he advanced them of his blood; that 
was Sir Blamor he made him duke of 
Limosin in Guienne, and Sir Bleoberis 
he made him duke of Poictiers, and 
Sir Gahalantin he made him duke of 
Querne, and Sir Galihodin he made 
him duke of Sentonge, and Sir Galihud 
he made him earl of Perigot, and Sir 
Menadeuke he made him earl of Roerge, 
and Sir Villiers the valiant he made 
him earl of Beam, and Sir Hebes le 
Renoumes he made him earl of Co- 
mange, and Sir Lavaine he made him 
earl of Arminak, and Sir Urre he made 
him earl of Estrake, and Sir Neroneus 
he made him earl of Pardiak, and Sir 
Plenorius he made him earl of Foise, 
and Sir Selises of the dolorous tower he 
made him earl of Masauke, and Sir 
Melias de Lile he made him earl of 
Tursauk, and Sir Bellangere le Bewse 
he made him earl of the Landes, and 
Sir Palamides he made him duke of the 
Provence, and Sir Safir he made him 
duke of Langedok, and Sir Clegis he 
gave him the earldom of Agente, and 
Sir Sadok he gave him the earldom of 
Surlat, and Sir Dinas le seneschal he 
made him duke of Anjou, and Sir Clar- 
rus he made him duke of Normandy. 
Thus Sir Launcelot rewarded his noble 
knights, and many more, that me seem- 
eth it were too long to rehearse. 

CHAP. XIX. 

How king Arthur and Sir Gawaine made 
a great host ready to go over sea to 
make war on Sir Launcelot. 

So leave we Sir Launcelot in his 
lands, and his noble knights with him, 
and return we again unto king Arthur 
and to Sir Gawaine, that made a great 
host ready, to the number of threescore 
thousand, and all thing was made ready 
for their shipping to pass over the sea ; 



470 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XX, 



and so they shipped at Cardiff, And 
there king Arthur made Sir Mordred 
chief ruler of all England, and also he 
put queen Guenever under his govern- 
ance ; because Sir Mordred was king 
Arthur's son, he gave him the lule of 
his land, and of his wife, and so king 
Arthur passed over the sea and landed 
upon Sir Launcelot's lands, and there 
he burnt and wasted, through the ven- 
geance of Sir Gawaine, all that they 
might overrun. When this word came 
to Sir Launcelot, that king Arthur 
and Sir Gawaine were landed upon his 
lands, and made a full destruction and 
waste, then spake Sir Bors and said, My 
lord Sir Launcelot, it is shame that we 
suffer them thus to ride over our lands, 
for wit you well, suffer ye them as long 
as ye will, they will do you no favour, 
and they may handle you. Then said 
Sir Lionel, that was ware and wise. My 
lord Sir Launcelot, I will give you this 
counsel, let us keep our strong walled 
towns until they have hunger and cold, 
and blow on their nails, and then let us 
freshly set upon them, and shred them 
down as sheep in a field, that aliens may 
take ensample for ever how they land 
upon our lands. Then spake king Bag- 
demagus to Sir Launcelot, Sir, your 
courtesy will shend us all, and thy 
courtesy hath waked all this sorrow: 
for, and they thus over our lands ride, 
they shall by process bring us all to 
nought, whilst we thus in holes us hide. 
Then said Sir Galihud unto Sir Launce- 
lot, Sir, here be knights come of kings' 
blood that will not long droop, and 
they are within these walls, therefore 
give us leave, like as we be knights, to 
meet them in the field, and we shall 
slay them, that they shall curse the time 
that ever they came into this country. 
Then spake seven brethren of North 
Wales, and they were seven noble 
knights, a man might seek in seven 
lands or he might find such seven 
knights : then they all said at once. Sir 
Launcelot, let us out ride with Sir 
Galihud, for we be never wont to cower 
in castles nor in noble towns. Then 
spake Sir Launcelot, that was master 



and governor of them all, My fair lords, 
wit you well I am full loth to ride 
out with my knights, for shedding of 
christian blood ; and yet my lands I 
understand be full bare to sustain any 
host a while, for the mighty wars that 
whilom made king Claudus upon this 
country, upon my father king Ban, and 
on mine uncle king Bors; howbeit we 
will as at this time keep our strong 
walls, and I shall send a messager unto 
my lord Arthur, a treaty for to take, for 
better is peace than always war. So 
Sir Launcelot sent forth a damsel, and 
a dwarf with her, requiring king Arthur 
to leave his warring upon his lands, and 
so she start upon a palfrey, and the 
dwarf ran by her side. And when she 
came to the pavilion of king Arthur, 
there she alight, and there met her a 
gentle knight Sir Lucan the butler, and 
said. Fair damsel, come ye from Sir 
Launcelot du Lake ? Yea, sir, she said, 
therefore I come hither to speak Math 
my lord the king. Alas, said Sir Lucan, 
my lord Arthur would love Launcelot, 
but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him. 
And then he said, I pray to God, dam- 
sel, ye may speed well, for all we that 
be about the king would that Sir Laun- 
celot did best of any knight living. 
And so with this Lucan led the damsel 
unto the king, where he sat with Sir 
Gawaine for to hear what she would 
say. So when she had told her tale, 
the water ran out of the king's eyes, 
and all the lords were full glad for to 
advise the king as to be accorded with 
Sir Launcelot, save all only Sir Ga- 
waine, and he said. My lord, mine 
uncle, what will ye do? will ye now 
turn again, now ye are past thus far 
upon this journey? all the world will 
speak of you villainy. Nay, said Ar- 
thur, wit thou well. Sir Gawaine, I will 
do as ye will advise me; and yet me 
seemeth, said Arthur, his fair proffers 
were not good to be refused : but sithen 
I am comen so far upon this journey, 
I will that ye give the damsel her 
answer, for I may not speak to her for 
pity, for her proffers be so large. 



KING ARTHUR LAVS SIEGE TO BEN WICK. 



471 



CHAP. XX. 

What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir 
Launcelot, and king Arthur laid siege 
to Benwicli, and other matters. 

Then Sir Gawaine said to the damsel 
thus : Damsel, say ye to Sir Launcelot, 
that it is waste labour, now to sue to 
mine uncle. For tell him, and he 
would have made any labour for peace, 
he should have made it or this time: 
for tell him now it is too late. And 
say, that I, Sir Gawaine, so send him 
word, that I promise him, by the faith 
I owe unto God, and to kniglithood, I 
shall never leave him till he have slain 
me, or I him. So the damsel wept and 
departed, and there were many weeping 
eyes : and so Sir Lucan brought the 
damsel to her palfrey, and so she came 
to Sir Launcelot, where he was among 
all his knights ; and when Sir Launcelot 
had heard this answer, then the tears 
ran down by his cheeks. And then his 
noble knights strode about him, and 
said, Sir Launcelot, wherefore mak? ye 
such cheer: think what ye are, and 
what men we are, and let us noble 
knights match them in midst of the 
field. That may be lightly done, said 
Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loth 
to do battle, and therefore, I pray you, 
fair sirs, as ye love me, be ruled as I will 
have you, for I will always flee that 
noble king that made me knight. And 
when I may no farther, I must needs 
defend me, and that will be more wor- 
ship for me, and us all, than to compare 
with that noble king whom we have all 
served. Then they held their language, 
and as that night they took their rest. 
And upon the morn, early, in the dawn- 
ing of the day, as knights looked out, 
they saw the city of Benwick besieged 
round about, and fast they began to set 
up ladders. And then they defied them 
out of the town, and beat them from 
the walls mightily. Then came forth 
Sir Gawaine, well armed, upon a stiff 
steed, and he came before the chief gate 
with his spear in his hand, crying. Sir 
Launcelot, where art thou, is there none 
of you proud knights dare break a spear 



with me? Then Sir Bors made him 
ready, and came forth out of the town, 
and there Sir Gawaine encountered with 
Sir Bors ; and at that time he smote Sir 
Bors down from his horse, and almost 
he had slain him, and so Sir Bors was 
rescued, and borne into the town. Then 
came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir 
Bors, and thought to revenge him, and 
either feutred their spears, and ran to- 
gether, and there they met spitefully, 
but Sir Gawaine had such grace that 
he smote Sir Lionel down, and wounded 
him there passing sore, and then Sir 
Lionel was rescued, and borne into the 
town. And this Sir Gawaine came 
every day, and he failed not, but that he 
smote down one knight or other. So 
thus they endured half a year, and much 
slaughter was of people on both parties. 
Then it befell upon a day. Sir Gawaine 
came before the gates amied at all 
pieces, on a noble horse, with a great 
spear in his hand, and then he cried 
with a loud voice. Where art thou now, 
thou false traitor, Sir Launcelot ? Why 
hidest thou thyself within holes and 
walls like a coward? Look out now, 
thou false traitor knight, and here I 
shall revenge upon thy body the death 
of my three brethren. All this language 
heard Sir Launcelot every deal, and his 
kin and his knights drew about him, 
and all they said at once to Sir Launce- 
lot, Sir Launcelot, now must ye defend 
you like a knight, or else ye be shamed 
for ever: for now ye be called upon 
treason, it is time for you to stir, for ye 
have slept over long, and suffered over 
much. So God me help, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I am right heavy of Sir Gawaine's 
words, for now he charged me with a 
great charge ; and therefore I wot it as 
well as ye, that I must defend me, or 
else to be recreant. Then Sir Launcelot 
bade saddle his strongest horse, and bad 
let fetch his arms, and bring all unto 
the gate of the tower. And then Sir 
Launcelot spake on high unto king 
Arthur, and said. My lord Arthur, and 
noble king that made me knight, wit 
you well I am right hea\7 for your 
sake, that ye thus sue upon me, and 



472 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XX, 



always I forbear you, for, and I would 
have been vengeable, I might have met 
you in midst of the field, and there to 
have made your boldest knights full 
tame : and now I have forborne half a 
year, and suffered you and Sir Gawaine 
to do what ye would do, and now I 
may endure it no longer, now must I 
needs defend myself, insomuch Sir Ga- 
waine hath appealed me of treason, — 
the which is greatly against my will, 
that ever I should fight against any of 
your blood ; but now I may not forsake 
it, I am driven thereto as a beast till a 
bay. Then Sir Gawaine said, Sir Laun- 
celot, and thou darest do battle, leave 
thy babbling and come off, and let us 
ease our hearts. Then Sir Launcelot 
armed him lightly, and mounted upon 
his horse. And either of the knights 
gat great spears in their hands, and the 
host without stood still all apart, and 
the noble knights came out of the city 
by a great number, insomuch that when 
Arthur saw the number of men and 
knights he marvelled, and said to him- 
self, Alas, that ever Sir Launcelot was 
against me, for now I see he hath for- 
borne me. And so the covenant was 
made, there should no man nigh them, 
nor deal with them, till the one were 
dead or yielden. 

CHAP. XXI. 

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot did 
battle together, and how Sir Gawaine 
was overthrown and hurt. 

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot 
departed a great way in sunder, and 
then they came together with all their 
horses' might as they might run, and 
either smote other in midst of their 
shields, but the knights were so strong, 
and their spears so big, that their horses 
might not endure their buffets, and so the 
horses fell to the earth. And then they 
avoided their horses, and dressed their 
shields afore them. Then they stood 
together, and gave many sad strokes 
on divers places of their bodies, that the 
blood brast out on many sides and places. 
Then had Sir Gawaine such a grace and 



gift that an holy man had given to him, 
that every day in the year, from underne 
till high noon, his might increased those 
three hours, as much as thrice his 
strength, and that caused Sir Gawaine 
to win great honour. And for his sake 
king Arthur made an ordinance that all 
manner of battles for any quarrels that 
should be done before king Arthur, 
should begin at underne, and all was 
done for Sir Gawaine's love, that by 
likelihood if that Sir Gawaine were on 
the one part he should have the better 
in battle, while his strength endured 
three hours, but there were but few 
knights that time living that knew this 
advantage that Sir Gawaine had, but 
king Arthur all only. Thus Sir Laun- 
celot fought with Sir Gawaine, and 
when Sir Launcelot felt his might ever- 
more increase, Sir Launcelot wondered, 
and dread him sore to be shamed. 
For, as the French book saith. Sir 
Launcelot wend, when he felt Sir Ga- 
waine double his strength, that he had 
been a fiend and no earthly man, where- 
fore Sir Launcelot traced and traversed, 
and covered himself with his shield, and 
kept his might and his braid during 
three hours : and that while Sir Gawaine 
gave him many sad brunts and many 
sad strokes, that all the knights that 
beheld Sir Launcelot marvelled how he 
might endure him, but full little under- 
stood they that travail that Sir Launcelot 
had for to endure him. And then when 
it was past noon. Sir Gawaine had no 
more but his own might. Then Sir 
Launcelot felt him so come down ; then 
he stretched him up, and stood near Sir 
Gawaine, and said thus. My lord Sir 
Gawaine, now I feel ye have done, now 
my lord Sir Gawaine I must do my 
part, for many great and grievous 
strokes I have endured you this day 
with great pain. Then Sir Launcelot 
doubled his strokes, and gave Sir Ga- 
waine such a buffet on the helmet, that 
he fell down on his side, and Sir Laun- 
celot withdrew him from him. Why 
withdrawest thou thee? said Sir Ga- 
waine; now turn again, false traitor 
knight, and slay me ; for and thou 



SIR GAWAINE HAS THE WORSE AGAIN. 



473 



leave me thus, when I am whole I shall 
do battle with thee again. — I shall en- 
dure you, sir, by God's grace, but wit 
thou well. Sir Gawaine, I will never 
smite a felled knight. And so Sir 
Launcelot went into the city, and Sir 
Gawaine was borne into one of king 
Arthur's pavilions, and leeches were 
brought to him, and searched and 
salved with soft ointments. And then 
Sir Launcelot said, Now have good day, 
my lord the king, for, wit you well, ye 
win no worship at these walls ; and if 
I would my knights out bring, there 
should many a man die. Therefore, 
my lord Arthur, remember you of old 
kindness, and however I fare Jesu be 
your guide in all places. 

CHAP. XXII. 

0/ the sorrow that king Arthur made for 
the war, atid of another battle where 
also Sir Gawaine bad the worse. 

Alas, said the king, that ever this 
unhappy war was begun, for ever Sir 
Launcelot forbeareth me in all places, 
and in likewise my kin, and that is seen 
well this day by my nephew Sir Ga- 
waine. Then king Arthur fell sick for 
sorrow of Sir Gawaine, that he was sore 
hurt, and because of the war betwixt 
him and Sir Launcelot. So then they 
on king Arthur's party kept the siege 
with little war withoutforth, and they 
withinforth kept their walls, and de- 
fended them when need was. Thus Sir 
Gawaine lay sick about three weeks in 
his tents, with all manner of leech-craft 
that might be had : and as soon as Sir 
Gawaine might go and ride, he armed 
him at all points, and start upon a 
courser, and gat a spear in his hand, 
and so he came riding afore the chief 
gate of Benwick, and there he cried on 
high. Where art thou, Sir Launcelot ? 
come forth thou false traitor knight, 
and recreant, for I am here, Sir Gawaine, 
will prove this that I say on thee. 
All this language Sir Launcelot heard, 
and then he said thus. Sir Gawaine, me 
repenteth of your foul saying, that ye 
will not cease of your language, for you 



wot well. Sir Gawaine, I know your 
might, and all that ye may do, and well 
ye wot. Sir Gawaine, ye may not greatly 
hurt me. Come down, traitor knight, 
said he, and make it good the contrary 
with thy hands : for it mishapped me 
the last battle to be hurt of thy hands, 
therefore, wit thou well, that I am come 
this day to make amends, for I ween this 
day to lay thee as low as thou laidest 
me. Defend me, said Sir Launcelot, that 
ever I be so far in your danger as ye 
have been in mine, for then my days 
were done. But Sir Gawaine, said Sir 
Launcelot, ye shall not think that I 
tarry long, but sithen that ye so un- 
knightly call me of treason, ye shall 
have both your hands full of me. And 
then Sir Launcelot armed him at all 
points, and mounted upon his horse, 
and gat a great spear in his hand, and 
rode out at the gate. And both the 
hosts were assembled, of them without, 
and of them within, and stood in array 
full manly. And both parties were 
charged to hold them still, to see and 
behold the battle of these two noble 
knights. And then they laid their spears 
in their rests, and they came together as 
thunder. And Sir Gawaine brake his 
spear upon Sir Launcelot in an hundred 
pieces unto his hand, and Sir Launcelot 
smote him with a greater might, that Sir 
Gawaine's horse feet raised, and so the 
horse and he fell to the earth. Then Sir 
Gawaine deliverly avoided his horse, and 
put his shield afore him, and eagerly 
drew his sword, and bad Sir Launcelot, 
Alight, traitor knight, for if this mare's 
son hath failed me, wit thou well a king's 
son and a queen's son shall not fail thee. 
Then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, 
and dressed his shield afore him, and 
drew his sword, and so stood they 
together, and gave many sad strokes, 
that all men on both parties had 
thereof passing great wonder. But 
when Sir Launcelot felt Sir Gawaine's 
might so marvellously increase, he then 
withheld his courage and his wind, 
and kept himself wonder covert of his 
might, and under his shield he traced 
and traversed here and there, to break 



474 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



Sir Gawaine's strokes and his courage ; 
and Sir Gawaine enforced himself with 
all his might and power to destroy Sir 
Launcelot, for, as the French book 
saith, ever as Sir Gawaine's might in- 
creased, right so increased his wind and 
his evil will. Thus Sir Gawaine did 
great pain unto Sir Launcelot three 
hours, that lie had great pain for to 
defend him. And when the thi-ee 
hours were passed, that Sir Launcelot 
felt that Sir Gawaine was come to his 
own proper strength, then Sir Laun- 
celot said unto Sir Gawaine, Now have 
I proved you twice, that ye are a full 
dangerous knight, and a wonderful man 
of your might, and many wonderful 
deeds have you done in your days : for 
by your might increasing you have de- 
ceived many a full noble and valiant 
knight ; and now I feel that ye have 
done your mighty deeds. Now wit you 
well I must do my deeds. And then 
Sir Launcelot stood near Sir Gawaine, 
and then Sir Launcelot doubled his 
strokes, and Sir Gawaine defended him 
mightily. But nevertheless Sir Laun- 
celot smote such a stroke upon Sir 



Gawaine's helm, and upon the old 
wound, that Sir Gawaine sinked down 
upon his one side in a swoon. And 
anon as he did awake, he waved and 
foined at Sir Launcelot as he lay, and 
said. Traitor knight, wit thou well I am 
not yet slain : come thou near me, and 
perform this battle unto the uttermost. 
I will no more do than I have done, said 
Sir Launcelot ; for when I see you on 
foot I will do battle upon you all the 
while I see you stand on your feet ; 
but for to smite a wounded man, that 
may not stand, God defend me from 
such a shame. And then he turned 
him and went his way toward the city, 
and Sir Gawaine evermore calling him 
traitor knight, and said. Wit thou well, 
Sir Launcelot, when I am whole, I shall 
do battle with thee again ; for I shall 
never leave thee till ttiat one of us be 
slain. Thus as this siege endured, and as 
Sir Gawaine lay sick near a month, and 
when he was well recovered, and ready 
within three days to do battle again with 
Sir Launcelot, right so came tidings unto 
Arthur from England, that made king 
Arthur and all his host to remove. 



I^nc folotoctjb tj[)e xxi l>oofe. 



'^TJe ^totrttB-ffrst 23ooL 



CHAP. I. 

How Sir Mordred presumed and took on 
him to he king of England, and would 
have married the qtieen, his uncle's wife. 

As Sir Mordred was ruler of all 
England, he did do make letters as 
though that they came from beyond 
the sea, and the letters specified that 
king Arthur was slain in battle with 
Sir Launcelot. Wherefore Sir Mordred 
made a Parliament, and called the lords 
together, and there he made them to 
choose him king, and so was he crowned 
at Canterbury, and held a feast there 
fifteen days, and afterward he drew him 
unto Winchester, and there he took the 
queen Guenever, and said plainly, that 



he would wed her which was his uncle's 
wife, and his father's wife. And so he 
made ready for the feast, and a day 
prefixed that they should be wedded ; 
wherefore queen Guenever was passing 
heavy. But she durst not discover her 
heart, but spake fair, and agreed to Sir 
Mordred's will. Then she desired of 
Sir Mordred for to go to London, to 
buy all manner of things that longed 
unto the wedding. And because of her 
fair speech Sir Mordred trusted her 
well enough, and gave her leave to go. 
And so when she came to London, she 
took the tower of London, and suddenly, 
in all haste possible, she stuffed it with 
all manner of victual, and well gar- 
nished it with men, and so kept it. 



SIR MORDRED IS CHOSEN KING. 



475 



Then when Sir Moidred wist and un- 
derstood how he was beguiled, he was 
passing wroth out of measure. And 
a short tale for to make, he went and 
laid a mighty siege about the tower of 
London, and made many great assaults 
thereat, and threw many great engines 
unto them, and shot great guns. But 
all might not prevail Sir Mordred, for 
queen Guenever would never, for fair 
speech nor for foul, would never trust 
to come in his hands again. And then 
came the bishop of Canterbury, the 
which was a noble clerk and an holy 
man, and thus he said to Sir Mordred : 
Sir, what will ye do, will ye first dis- 
please God, and sithen shame yourself 
and all knighthood ? Is not king Arthur 
your uncle, no further but your mother's 
brother, and are ye not his son, there- 
fore how may ye wed your father's 
wife? Sir, said the noble clerk, leave 
this opinion, or else I shall curse you 
with book, and bell, and candle. Do 
thou thy worst, said Sir Mordred, wit 
thou well I shall defy thee. Sir, said 
the bishop, and wit you well I shall 
not fear me to do that me ought to do. 
Also where ye noise where my lord 
Arthur is slain, and that is not so, and 
therefore ye will make a foul work in 
this land. Peace, thou false priest, said 
Sir Mordred, for, and thou chafe me any 
more, I shall make strike off thy head. 
So the bishop departed, and did the 
curse in the most orgulous wise that 
might be done. And then Sir Mordred 
sought the bishop of Canterbury for to 
have slain him. Then the bishop fled, 
and took part of his goods with him, 
and went nigh unto Glastonbury, and 
there he was as priest hermit in a 
chapel, and lived in poverty and in holy 
prayers : for well he understood that 
mischievous war was at hand. Then 
Sir Mordred sought on queen Gue- 
never by letters and sondes, and by fair 
means and foul means, for to have her 
to come out of the tower of London, but 
all this availed not, for she answered 
him shortly, openly and privily, that she 
had lever slay herself than to be mar- 
ried with him. Then came word to Sir 



Mordred that king Arthur had raised 
the siege from Sir Launcelot, and he 
was coming homeward with a great 
host, to be avenged upon Sir Mordred. 
Wherefore Sir Mordred made write 
writs to all the barony of this land, and 
much people drew to him. For then 
was the common voice among them, 
that with Arthur was none other 
life but war and strife, and with Sir 
Mordred was great joy and bliss. Thus 
was Sir Arthur depraved and evil said 
of. And many there were that king 
Arthur had made up of nought, and 
given them lands, might not then say of 
him a good word. 

Lo ye, all Englishmen, see ye not 
what a mischief here was, for he that 
was the most king and knight of the 
world, and most loved the fellowship of 
noble knights, and by him they were all 
upholden. Now might not these Eng- 
lishmen hold us content with him. Lo, 
thus was the old custom and usage of 
this land. And also men say, that we 
of this land have not yet lost nor for- 
gotten that custom and usage. Alas, 
this is a great default of all English- 
men, for there may no thing please us 
no term. And so fared the people at 
that time ; they were better pleased 
with Sir Mordred than they were with 
king Arthur, and much people drew 
unto Sir Mordred, and said they would 
abide with him for better and for worse. 
And so Sir Mordred drew with a great 
host to Dover, for there he heard say 
that Sir Arthur would arrive, and so he 
thought to beat his own father from his 
lands. And the most party of all England 
held with Sir Mordred, the people were so 
new fangle. 

. CHAP. IL 

Hoiu after that king Arthur had tidings he 
returned and came to Dover, where Sir 
Mordred met him to let his landing, and 
of the death of Sir Gawaine. 

And so as Sir Mordred was at Dover 
with his host, there came king Arthur 
with a great navy of ships, galleys, and 
carracks. And there was Sir Mordred 
ready awaiting upon his landage, to let 



476 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



his own father to land upon the land 
that he was king over. Then there 
was launching of great boats and small, 
and full of noble men of arms, and 
there was much slaughter of gentle 
knights, and many a full bold baron 
was laid full low on both parties. But 
king Arthur was so courageous, that 
there might no manner of knights let 
him to land, and his knights fiercely 
followed him. And so they landed, 
maugre Sir Mordred and all his power, 
and put Sir Mordred aback, that he fled 
and all his people. So when this battle 
was done, king Arthur let bury his 
people that were dead, and then was 
the noble knight Sir Gawaine found in 
a great boat lying more than half dead. 
When Sir Arthur wist that Sir Gawaine 
was laid so low, he went unto him, and 
there the king made sorrow out of mea- 
sure, and took Sir Gawaine in his arms, 
and thrice he there swooned. And when 
he awaked he said, Alas, Sir Gawaine, 
my sister's son, here now thou liest, the 
man in the world that I loved most, 
and now is my joy gone : for now, my 
nephew Sir Gawaine, I will discover 
me unto your person ; in Sir Launcelot 
and you I most had my joy, and mine 
affiance, and now have I lost my joy of 
you both, wherefore all mine earthly 
joy is gone from me. Mine uncle king 
Arthur, said Sir Gawaine, wit you well, 
my death day is come, and all is through 
mine own hastiness and wilfulness, for I 
am smitten upon the old wound the 
which Sir Launcelot gave me, on the 
which I feel well I must die, and had 
Sir Launcelot been with you as he 
was, this unhappy war had never begun, 
and of all this am I causer, for Sir 
Launcelot and his blood through their 
prowess held all your cankered enemies 
in subjection and danger : and now, said 
Sir Gawaine, ye shall miss Sir Launce- 
lot. But, alas, I would not accord with 
him, and therefore, said Sir Gawaine, I 
pray you, fair uncle, that I may have 
paper, pen, and ink, that I may write to 
Sir Launcelot a schedule with mine own 
hands. And then when paper and ink 
was brought, then Gawaine was set up 



weakly by king Arthur, for he was 
shriven a little tofore, and then-he wrote 
thus, as the French book maketh men- 
tion, — Unto Sir Launcelot, flower of all 
noble knights that ever I heard of, or 
saw by my days, I Sir Gawaine, king 
Lot's son, of Orkney, sister's son unto the 
noble king Arthur, send thee greeting, 
and let thee have knowledge, that the 
tenth day of May I was smitten upon 
the old wound that thou gavest me afore 
the city of Benwick. and through the 
same wound that thou gavest me I am 
come to my death-day. And I will that 
all the world wit that I, Sir Gawaine, 
knight of the Table Round, sought my 
death, and not through thy deserving, 
but it was mine own seeking, wherefore 
I beseech thee. Sir Launcelot, to return 
again unto this realm, and see my tomb, 
and pray some prayer, more or less, for 
my soul. And this same day that I 
wrote this schedule, I was hurt to the 
death in the same wound, the which I 
had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot. For of 
a more nobler man might I not be slain. 
Also, Sir Launcelot, for all the love that 
ever was betwixt us, make no tarrying, 
but come over the sea in all haste, that 
thou mayest with thy noble knights 
rescue that noble king that made thee 
knight, that is my lord Arthur, for he is 
full straitly bestad with a false traitor, 
that is my half brother Sir Mordred, 
and he hath let crown him king, and 
would have wedded my lady queen 
Guenever, and so had he done, had she 
not put herself in the tower of London. 
And so the tenth day of May last past, 
my lord Arthur and we all landed upon 
them at Dover, and there we put that 
false traitor Sir Mordred to flight, and 
there it misfortuned me to be stricken 
upon thy stroke, and at the date of this 
letter was written but two hours and an 
half afore my death, written with mine 
own hand, and so subscribed with part 
of my heart's blood. And I require 
thee, most famous knight of the world, 
that thou wilt see my tomb. — And then 
Sir Gawaine wept, and king Arthur 
wept, and then they swooned both. 
And when they awaked both, the king 



CHAP. in. 



OF SIR GAWAINE'S GHOST. 



477 



made Sir Gawaine to receive his Saviour. 
And then Sir Gawaine prayed the king 
to send for Sir Launcelot, and to cherish 
him above all other knights. And so at 
the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine yielded 
up the spirit. And then the king let 
inter him in a chapel within Dover 
castle ; and there yet all men may see 
the skull of him, and the same wound 
is seen that Sir Launcelot gave him in 
battle. Then was it told king Arthur 
that Sir Mordred had pitched a new 
field upon Barham Down. And upon 
the morn the king rode thither to him, 
and there was a great battle betwixt 
them, and much people were slain on 
both parties. But at the last Sir Ar- 
thur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred 
and his party fled unto Canterbury. 

CHAP. III. 

How after Sir Gawaine's ghost appeared 
to king Arthur, and warned him that 
he shoidd not fight that day. 

And then the king let search all the 
towns for his knights that were slain, 
and interred them ; and salved them with 
soft salves that so sore were wounded. 
Then much people drew unto king Ar- 
thur. And then they said that Sir 
Mordred warred upon king Arthur with 
wrong. And then king Arthur drew 
him with his host down by the sea side, 
westward toward Salisbury, and there 
was a day assigned between king Arthur 
and Sir Mordred, and they should meet 
upon a down beside Salisbury, and not 
far from the sea side, and this day was 
assigned on a Monday after Trinity 
Sunday, whereof king Arthur was pass- 
ing glad, that he might be avenged upon 
Sir Mordred. Then Sir Mordred araised 
much people about London, for they of 
Kent, Southsex, and Surrey, Estsex, and 
Southfolk, and. of Northfolk, held the 
most party with Sir Mordred, and many 
a full noble knight drew unto Sir Mor- 
dred and to the king ; but they that loved 
Sir Launcelot drew unto Sir Mordred. 
So upon Trinity Sunday at night king 
Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream, and 
that was this, that him seemed he sat 



upon a chaflet in a chair, and the chair 
was fast to a wheel, and thereupon sat 
king Arthur in the richest cloth of gold 
that might be made : and the king 
thought there was under him, far from 
him, an hideous deep black water, and 
therein were all manner of serpents, and 
worms, and wild beasts, foul and hor- 
rible : and suddenly the king thought 
the wheel turned up so down, and he 
fell among the serpents, and every 
beast took him by a limb. And then 
the king cried as he lay in his bed and 
slept. Help ! And then knights, squires, 
and yeomen awaked the king ; and then 
he was so amazed that he wist not where 
he was. And then he fell on slumber- 
ing again, not sleeping nor thoroughly 
waking. So the king seemed verily that 
there came Sir Gawaine unto him with 
a number of fair ladies with him. And 
when king Arthur saw him, then he 
said, Welcome, my sister's son, I wend 
thou hadst been dead, and now I see 
thee on live, much am I beholding unto 
Almighty Jesu. Oh, fair nephew, and 
my sister's son, what be these ladies that 
hither be come with you ? Sir, said Sir 
Gawaine, all these be ladies for whom 
I have foughten when I was man living : 
and all these are those that I did battle 
for in righteous quarrel. And God hath 
given them that grace at their great 
prayer, because I did battle for them, 
that they should bring me hither unto 
you, thus much had God given me leave, 
for to warn you of your death ; for and 
ye fight as to-morn with Sir Mordred, as 
ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye 
must be slain, and the most part of your 
people on both parties. And for the 
great grace and goodness that Almighty 
Jesu hath unto you, and for pity of you 
and many more other good men there 
shall be slain, God hath sent me to you, 
of his special grace, to give you warning, 
that in no wise ye do battle as to-mom, 
but that ye take a treaty for a month 
day ; and proffer you largely, so as to- 
morn to be put in a delay. For wuthin 
a month shall come Sir Launcelot, with 
all his noble knights, and rescue you 
worshipfully, and slay Sir Mordred and 



v/ 



47' 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



all that ever will hold with him. Then 
Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished. 
And anon the king called upon his 
knights, squires, and yeomen, and 
charged them wightly to fetch his noble 
lords and wise bishops unto him. And 
when they were come, the king told 
them his vision, what Sir Gawaine had 
told him, and warned him that if he 
fought on the morn he should be slain. 
Then the king commanded Sir Lucan 
de butlere, and his brother Sir Bedi- 
vere, with two bishops with them, and 
charged them in any wise and they might 
take a treaty for a month day with Sir 
Mordred ; — And spare not, proffer him 
lands and goods, as much as ye tliink 
best. So then they departed, and came 
to Sir Mordred, where he had a grim 
host of an hundred thousand men. And 
there they intreated Sir Mordred long 
time, and at the last Sir INIoidred was 
agreed for to have Cornwall and Kent, 
by king Arthur's days : — after, all Eng- 
land, after the days of king Arthur. 

CHAP. IV. 

How by misadventure of an adder the 
battle began, where Mordred was slain, 
and Arthur hurt to the death. 

Then were they condescended that 
king Arthur and Sir Mordred should 
meet betwixt both their hosts, and every 
each of them should bring fourteen per- 
sons. And they came with this word 
unto king Arthur. Then said he, I am 
glad that this is done. And so he went 
into the field. And when Arthur should 
depart, he warned all his host that and 
they see any sword drawn, Look ye 
come on fiercely, and slay that traitor 
Sir Mordred, for I in no wise trust him. 
In like wise Sir Mordred warned his 
host that, — And ye see any sword 
drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, 
and so slay all that ever before you 
standeth : for in no wise I will not trust 
for this treaty: for I know well my 
father will be avenged upon me. And 
so they met as their pointment was, 
and so they were agreed and accorded 
thoroughly : and wine was fetched, and 



they drank. Right so came an adder 
out of a little heath bush, and it stung 
a knight on the foot. And when the 
knight felt him stungen, he looked down 
and saw the adder, and then he drew 
his sword to slay the adder, and thought 
of none other harm. And when the 
host on both parties saw that sword 
drawn, then they blew beames, trumpets, 
and horns, and shouted grimly. And so 
both hosts dressed them together. And 
king Arthur took his horse, and said, 
Alas this unhappy day, and so rode to 
his party : and Sir Mordred in likewise. 
And never was there seen a more dole- 
fuller battle in no christian land. For 
there was but rushing and riding, foin- 
ing and striking, and many a grim word 
was there spoken either to other, and 
many a deadly stroke. But ever king 
Arthur rode throughout the battle of 
Sir Mordred many times, and did full 
nobly as a noble king should ; and at 
all times he fainted never. And Sir 
Mordred that day put hifir in devoir, 
and in great peril. And thus they 
fought all the long day, and never 
stinted, till the noble knights were laid 
to the cold ground, and ever they fought 
still, till it was near night, and by that 
time was there an hundred thousand 
laid dead upon the down. Then was 
Arthur wroth out of measure, when he 
saw his people so slain from him. Then 
the king looked about him, and then 
was he ware of all his host, and of all 
his good knights, were left no more on 
live but two knights, that was Sir Lucan 
de butlere, and his brother Sir Bedivere : 
and they full were sore wounded. Jesu 
mercy, said the king, where are all my 
noble knights becomen. Alas that ever 
I should see this doleful day. For now, 
said Arthur, I am come to mine end. 
But would to God that I wist where 
were that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath 
caused all this mischief. Then was king 
Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned 
upon his sword among a great heap of 
dead men. Now give me my spear, 
said Arthur unto Sir Lucan, for yonder 
I have espied the traitor that all this 
woe hath wrought. Sir, let him be, 



HOW ARTHUR WAS HURT TO THE DEATH, 



479 



said Sir Lucan, for he is unhappy : and 
if ye pass this unhappy day, ye shall be 
right well revenged upon him. Good 
lord, remember ye of your night's dream, 
and what the spirit of Sir Gawaine told 
you this night, yet God of his .great 
goodness hath preserved you hitherto. 
Therefore, for God's sake, my lord, 
leave off by this. For blessed be God 
ye have won the field : for here we be 
three on live, and with Sir Mordred is 
none on live. And if ye leave off now, 
this wicked day of destiny is past. Tide 
me death, betide me life, saith the king, 
now I see him yonder alone, he shall 
never escape mine hands, for at a better 
avail shall I never have him. God speed 
you well, said Sir Bedivere. Then the 
king gat his spear in both his hands, 
and ran toward Sir Mordred, crying. 
Traitor, now is thy death day come. 
And when Sir Mordred heard Sir Ar- 
thur, he ran until him with his sword 
drawn in his hand. And then king 
Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the 
shield, with a foin of his spear through- 
out the body more than a fathom. And 
when Sir Mordred felt that he had his 
death's wound, he thrust himself, with 
the might that he had, up to the bur of 
king Arthur's spear. And right so he 
smote his father Arthur with his sword 
holden in both his hands, on the side of 
the head, that the sword pierced the 
helmet and the brain-pan, and there- 
withal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to 
the earth. And the noble Arthur fell 
in a swoon to the earth, and there he 
swooned oft-times. And Sir Lucan 
de butlere and Sir Bedivere oft-times 
heaved him up, and so weakly they led 
him betwixt them both to a little chapel 
not far from the sea side. And when 
the king was there, he thought him well 
eased. Then heard they people cry in 
the field. Now go thou. Sir Lucan, 
said the king, and do me to wit what 
betokens that noise in the field. So 
Sir Lucan departed, for he was griev- 
ously wounded in many places. And so 
as he went, he saw and hearkened by 
the moon-light, how the pillers and rob- 
bers were come into the field to pill and 



to rob many a full noble knight of 
broaches and beads, of many a good 
ring, and of many a rich jewel ; and 
who that were not dead all out, there 
they slew them for their harness and 
their riches. When Sir Lucan under- 
stood this work, he came to the king as 
soon as he might, and told him all what 
he had heard and seen. Therefore by 
mine advice, said Sir Lucan, it is best 
that we bring you to some town. I would 
it were so, said the king, — 

CHAP. V. 

How king Arthtir coinnmnded to cast bis 
sword Excalihur into the juater, and how 
he was delivered to ladies in a barge. 
But I may not stand, my head works 
so. Ah, Sir Launcelot, said king Ar- 
thur, this day have I sore missed thee. 
Alas, that ever I was against thee, for 
now have I my death, whereof Sir 
Gawaine me warned in my dream. 
Then Sir Lucan took up the king the 
one part, and Sir Bedivere the other 
part, and in the lifting, the king 
swooned, and Sir Lucan fell in a swoon 
with the lift, that the part of his bowels 
fell out of his body, and therewith the 
noble knight's heart brast. And when 
king Arthur came to himself again, he 
beheld Sir Lucan how he lay foaming 
at the mouth, and part of his bowels 
lay at his feet. Alas, said the king, this 
is unto me a full heavy sight to see this 
noble duke so die for my sake, for he 
would have holpen me that had more 
need of help than I. Alas, he would 
not complain him, his heart was so set 
to help me. Now Jesu have mercy 
upon his soul. Then Sir Bedivere wept 
for the death of his brother. Leave this 
mourning and weeping, said the king, 
for all this will not avail me: for, 
wit thou well, and I might live myself 
the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me 
evermore ; but my time hieth fast, said 
the king. Therefore, said Arthur, take 
thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go 
wdth it to yonder water side, and when 
thou comest there, I charge thee throw 
my sword in that water, and come 
again, and tell me what thou there 



480 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your 
commandment shall be done, and lightly 
bring you word again. So Sir Bedivere 
departed, and by the way he beheld 
that noble sword, that the pommel and 
haft were all of precious stones, and 
then he said to himself, If I throw this 
rich sword in the water, thereof shall 
never come good, but harm and loss. 
And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur 
under a tree. And as soon as he might 
he came again unto the king, and said 
he had been at the water, and had 
thrown the sword into the water. What 
sawest thou there ? said the king. Sir, 
he said, I saw nothing but waves and 
winds. That is untruly said of thee, 
said the king ; therefore go thou lightly 
again, and do my command as thou art 
to me lief and dear, spare not, but throw 
it in. Then Sir Bedivere returned again, 
and took the sword in his hand; and 
then him thought sin and shame to 
throw away that noble sword; and so 
eft he hid the sword, and returned 
again, and told to the king that he had 
been at the water, and done his com- 
mandment. What saw thou there ? said 
the king. Sir, he said, I saw nothing 
but the waters wap and the waves wan. 
Ah traitor, untrue, said king Arthur, 
now hast thou betrayed me twice. Who 
would have wend that thou that hast 
been to me so lief and dear, and thou 
art named a noble knight, and would 
betray me for the riches of the sword. 
But now go again lightly, for thy long 
tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of 
my life, for I have taken cold. And but 
if thou do now as I bid thee, if ever I 
may see thee, I shall slay thee with mine 
own hands, for thou wouldest for my 
rich sword see me dead. Then Sir 
Bedivere departed, and went to the 
sword, and lightly took it up, and went 
to the water side, and there he bound 
the girdle about the hilts, and then he 
threw the sword as far into the water 
as he might, and there came an arm and 
an hand above the water, and met it, 
and caught it, and so shook it thrice 
and brandished, and then vanished away 
the hand with the sword in the water. 



So Sir Bedivere came again to the king, 
and told him what he saw. Alas, said 
the king, help me hence, for I dread 
me I have tarried over long. Then Sir 
Bedivere took the king upon his back, 
and ^o went with him to that water 
side. And when they were at the water 
side, even fast by the bank hoved a little 
barge, with many fair ladies in it, and 
among them all was a queen, and all 
they had black hoods, and all they wept 
and shrieked when they saw king Ar- 
thur. Now put me into the barge, said 
the king : and so he did softly. And 
there received him three queens with 
great mourning, and so they set him 
down, and in one of their laps king 
Arthur laid his head, and then that 
queen said. Ah, dear brother, why have 
ye tarried so long from me ? Alas, this 
wound on your head hath caught over 
much cold. And so then they rowed 
from the land ; and Sir Bedivere beheld 
all those ladies go from him. Then Sir 
Bedivere cried. Ah, my lord Arthur, 
what shall become of me now ye go 
from me, and leave me here alone among 
mine enemies. Comfort thyself, said 
the king, and do as well as thou mayest, 
for in me is no trust for to trust in. 
For I will into the vale of Avilion, to 
heal me of my grievous wound. And if 
thou hear never more of me, pray for 
my soul. But ever the queens and the 
ladies wept and shrieked, that it was 
pity to hear. And as soon as Sir Bedi- 
vere had lost the sight of the barge, he 
wept and wailed, and so took the forest, 
and so he went all that night, and in the 
morning he was ware betwixt two holts 
hoar of a chapel and an hermitage. 

CHAP. VI. 

How Sir Bedivere found him on the mor- 
row dead in an hermitage, and how he 
abode there with the hermit. 
Then was Sir Bedivere glad, and 
thither he went ; and when he came into 
the chapel, he saw where lay an heraiit 
groveling on all four, there fast by 
a tomb was new graven. When the 
hermit saw Sir Bedivere, he knew him 
well, for he was but a little before 



HOW GUENEVER MADE HER A NUN. 



481 



bishop of Canterbury, that Sir Mordred 
banished. Sir, said Sir Bedivere, what 
man is there interred that ye pray so 
fast for? Fair son, said the hermit, I 
wot not verily, but by deeming. But 
this night, at midnight, here came 
a number of ladies, and brought hither 
a dead corpse, and prayed me to bury 
him ; and here they offered an hundred 
tapers, and gave me an hundred besants. 
Alas, said Sir Bedivere, that was my 
lord king Arthur, that here lieth buried 
in this chapel ! Then Sir Bedivere 
swooned, and when he awoke he prayed 
the hermit he might abide with him 
still there, to live with fasting and 
prayers. For from hence will I never 
go, said Sir Bedivere, by my will, but 
all the days of my life here to pray for 
my lord Arthur. Ye are welcome to 
me, said the hermit, for I know you 
better than ye ween that I do. Ye are 
the bold Bedivere, and the full noble 
duke Sir Lucan de butlere was your 
brother. Then Sir Bedivere told the 
hermit all as ye have heard tofore. So 
there bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit, 
that was tofore bishop of Canterbury, 
and there Sir Bedivere put upon him 
poor clothes, and served the hermit full 
iowly in fasting and in prayers. 

Thus of Arthur I find never more 
written in books that be authorized, nor 
more of the certainty of his death heard 
I never tell, but thus was he led away 
in a ship wherein were three queens ; 
that one was king Arthur's sister queen 
Morgan le Fay ; the other was the 
queen of Northgalis ; the third was the 
queen of the Waste Lands. Also there 
was Nimue, the chief Lady of the lake, 
that had wedded Pelleas the good 
knight ; and this lady had done much 
for king Arthur ; for she would never 
suffer Sir Pelleas to be in no place where 
he should be in danger of his life, and 
so he lived to the uttermost of his days 
with her in great rest. More of the 
death of king Arthur could I never find, 
but that ladies brought him to his 
burials ; and such one was buried there, 
that the hermit bare witness that some 
time was bishop of Canterbuiy, but yet 



the hermit knew not in certain that he 
was verily the body of king Arthur ; — 
for this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of the 
Round Table, made it to be written. 

CHAP. VII. 
Of the opinion of some men of the death of 

king Arthur ; and how queen Guenever 

made her a nuti in Almesbury. 

Yet some men yet say in many parts 
of England that king Arthur is not 
dead, but had by the will of our Lord 
Jesu in another place. And men say 
that he shall come again, and he shall 
win the holy cross. I wnll not say it 
shall be so, but rather I will say, 
here in this world he changed his life. 
But many men say that there is written 
upon his tomb this verse, 
l^ic iacct ^rtf)itrus Ugx qtiontfam 9Rcx 
que futurus. 

Thus leave I here Sir Bedivere with 
the hermit, that dwelled that time in 
a chapel beside Glastonbury, and there 
was his hermitage. And so they lived 
in their prayers and fastings and great 
abstinence. And when queen Guenever 
understood that king Arthur was slain, 
and all the noble knights, Sir Mordred 
and all the remnant, then the queen stole 
away, and five ladies with her, and so 
she went to Almesbury, and there she 
let make herself a nun, and wore white 
clothes and black, and great penance 
she took, as ever did sinful lady in this 
land, and never creature could make her 
merry, but lived in fasting, prayers, and 
alms-deeds, that all manner of people 
marvelled how virtuously she was 
changed. Now leave we queen Guenever 
in Almesbury a nun in white clothes 
and black, and there she was abbess and 
ruler, as reason would ; and turn we 
from her, and speak we of Sir Launcelot 
du Lake. 

CHAP. VIIL 
How when Sir Launcelot heard of the 

death of king Arthur, and of Sir Ga- 

waine, and other matters, he came into 

England. 

And when he heard in his country 
that Sir Mordred was crowned king in 



31 



482 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



BOOK XXT. 



England, and made war against king 
Arthur his own father, and would let 
him to land in his own land ; also it 
was told Sir Launcelot how that Sir 
Mordred had laid siege about the tower 
of London, because the queen would 
not wed him ; then was Sir Launcelot 
wroth out of measure, and said to his 
kinsmen, Alas, that double traitor Sir 
Mordred, now me repenteth that ever 
he escaped my hands, for much shame 
hath he done unto my lord Arthur. For 
all I feel by the doleful letter that my 
lord Gawaine sent me, on whose soul 
Jesu have mercy, that my lord Arthur is 
right hard bested. Alas, said Sir Laun- 
celot, that ever I should live to hear 
that most noble king, that made me 
knight, thus to be overset with his sub- 
ject in his own realm. And this doleful 
letter that my lord Sir Gawaine hath 
sent me afore his death, praying me to 
see his tomb, wit you well his doleful 
words shall never go from mine heart. 
For he was a full noble knight as ever 
was born, and in an unhappy hour was 
I bom, that ever I should have that 
unhap to slay first Sir Gawaine, Sir Ga- 
heris the good knight, and mine own 
friend Sir Gareth, that full noble knight. 
Alas, I may say I am unhappy, said Sir 
Launcelot, that ever I should do thus 
unhappily ; and, alas, yet might I never 
have hap to slay that traitor Sir Mor- 
dred. Leave your complaints, said Sir 
Bors, and first revenge you of the death 
of Sir Gawaine, and it will be well done 
that ye see Sir Gawaine's tomb, and 
secondly that ye revenge my lord Arthur 
and my lady queen Guenever. I thank 
you, said Sir Launcelot, for ever ye will 
my worship. Then they made them 
ready in all the haste that might be, with 
ships and galleys with Sir Launcelot and 
his host, to pass into England. And so 
he passed over the sea till he came to 
Dover : and there he landed with seven 
kings, and the number was hideous to 
behold. Then Sir Launcelot enquired 
of men of Dover where was king 
Arthur become ? Then the people told 
him how that he was slain, and Sir Mor- 
dred and an hundred thousand died on 



a day, and how Sir Mordred gave king 
Arthur there the first battle at his land- 
ing, and there was good Sir Gawaine 
slain, and on the morn Sir Mordred 
fought with the king upon Barham 
Down, and there the king put Sir Mor- 
dred to the worse. Alas, said Sir 
Launcelot, this is the heaviest tidings 
that ever came to me. Now, fair sirs, 
said Sir Launcelot, shew me the tomb 
of Sir Gawaine. And then certain 
people of the town brought him into 
the castle of Dover, and showed him 
the tomb. Then Sir Launcelot kneeled 
down and wept and prayed heartily for 
his soul. And that night he made a 
dole, and all they that would come had 
as much flesh, fish, wine, and ale, and 
every man and woman had twelve pence, 
come who would. Thus with his own 
hand dealt he his money in a mourning 
gown; and ever he wept, and prayed 
them to pray for the soul of Sir Ga- 
waine. And on the morn all the priests 
and clerks that might be gotten in the 
country were there, and sung mass of 
Requiem. And there offered first Sir 
Launcelot. and he offered an hundred 
pound, and then the seven kings offered 
forty pound a piece, and also there was 
a thousand knights, and each of them 
offered a pound, and the offering dured 
from morn till night. And Sir Laun- 
celot lay two nights on his tomb in 
prayers and in weeping. Then on the 
third day Sir Launcelot called the kings, 
dukes, earls, barons and knights, and said 
thus : My fair lords, I thank you all of 
your coming into this country with me ; 
but we come too late, and that shall 
repent me while I live, but against death 
may no man rebel. But sithen it is so, 
said Sir Launcelot, I will myself ride 
and seek my lady queen Guenever, for 
as I hear say, she hath great pain and 
much disease, and I heard say that she 
is fled into the west country, therefore 
ye all that abide me here, and but if 
I come again within fifteen days, then 
take your ships, and your fellowship, 
and depart into your country. For I 
will do as I say to you. 



HOW LAUNCELOT FOUND THE QUEEN. 



483 



CHAP. IX. 

How Sir Lmmcelot departed to seek the 
queen Gxienever, and bow be found ber 
at Altnesbury. 

Then came Sir Bors de Ganis, and 
said, My lord Sir Launcelot, what think 
ye for to do, now to ride in this realm ? 
wit thou well ye shall find few friends. 
Be as be may, said Sir Launcelot, keep 
you still here, for I will forth on my 
journey, and no man nor child shall go 
with me. So it was no boot to strive, 
but he departed and rode westerly, and 
there he sought a seven or eight days, 
and at the last he came to a nunnery, 
and then was queen Guenever ware of 
Sir Launcelot as he walked in the 
cloister, and when she saw him there 
she swooned thrice, that all the ladies 
and gentlewomen had work enough to 
hold the queen up. So when she might 
speak, she called ladies and gentle- 
women to her, and said, Ye marvel, fair 
ladies, why I make this fare. Truly, she 
said, it is for the sight of yonder knight 
that 3'onder standeth : wherefore, 1 pray 
you all, call him to me. When Sir 
Launcelot was brought to her, then she 
said to all the ladies. Through this man 
and me hath all this war been wrought, 
and the death of the most noblest 
knights of the world; for through our 
love that we have loved together is my 
most noble lord slain. Therefore, Sir 
Launcelot, wit thou well I am set in 
such a plight to get my soul's health ; 
and yet I trust, through God's grace, 
that after my death to have a sight 
of the blessed face of Christ, and at 
doomsday to sit on his right side, for as 
sinful as ever I was are saints in heaven. 
Therefore, Sir Launcelot, I require thee 
and beseech thee heartily, for all the love 
that ever was betwixt us, that thou never 
see me more in the visage ; and I com- 
mand thee on God's behalf, that thou 
forsake my company, and to thy king- 
dom thou turn again and keep well thy 
realm from war and wrack. For as well 
as I have loved thee, mine heart will 
not serve me to see thee ; for through 
thee and me is the flower of kings and 



knights destroyed. Therefore, Sir Laun- 
celot, go to thy realm, and there take 
thee a wife, and live with her with 
joy and bliss, and I pray thee heartily 
pray for me to our Lord, that I may 
amend my mis-living. Now, sweet ma- 
dam, said Sir Launcelot, would ye that 
I should return again unto my country, 
and there to wed a lady ? Nay, madam, 
wit you well that shall I never do : for 
I shall never be so false to you of that 
I have promised, but the same destiny 
that ye have taken you to, I will take 
me unto, for to please Jesu, and ever for 
you I cast me specially to pray. If 
thou wilt do so, said the queen, hold 
thy promise ; but I may never believe 
but that thou wilt turn to the world 
again. Well, madam, said he, ye say as 
pleaseth you, yet wist you me never 
false of my promise, and God defend 
but I should forsake the world as ye 
have done. For in the quest of the 
Sancgreal I had forsaken the vanities of 
the world, had not your lord been. 
And if I had done so at that time with 
my heart, will, and thought, I had 
passed all the knights that were in the 
Sancgreal, except Sir Galahad my son. 
And therefore, lady, sithen ye have 
taken you to perfection, I must needs 
take me to perfection of right. For I 
take record of God, in you I have had 
mine earthly joy. And if I had found 
you now so disposed, I had cast me to 
have had you into mine own realm. 

CHAP. X. 

How Sir Launcelot came to the hermitage 
where the archbishop of Canferbiiry was, 
and how he took the habit on him. 
But sithen I find you thus disposed, I 
insure you faithfully I will ever take me 
to penance, and pray while my life last- 
eth, if that I may find any hermit either 
grey or white that will receive me. 
Wherefore, madam, I pray you kiss me, 
and never no more. Nay, said the queen, 
that shall I never do, but abstain you 
from such works. And they departed. 
But there was never so hard an hearted 
man, but he would have wept to see 
the dolour that they made. For there 



4S4 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



was lamentation as they had been stung 
with spears, and many times they 
swooned. And the ladies bare the 
queen to her chamber, and Sir Laun- 
celot awoke, and went and took his 
horse, and rode all that day and all that 
night in a forest, weeping. And at the 
last he was ware of an hermitage and a 
chapel stood betwixt two clifts, and then 
he heard a little bell ring to mass, and 
thither he rode and alight, and tied his 
horse to the gate, and heard mass. And 
he that sang mass was the bishop of 
Canterbury. Both the bishop and Sir 
Bedivere knew Sir Launcelot, and they 
spake together after mass. But when 
Sir Bedivere had told his tale all whole. 
Sir Launcelot's heart almost brast for 
sorrow, and Sir Launcelot threw his 
arms abroad, and said, Alas, who may 
trust this world ! And then he kneeled 
do\\n on his knees, and prayed the 
bishop to shrive him and assoil him. 
And then he besought the bishop that 
he might be his brother. Then the 
bishop said, I will gladly : and there he 
put an habit upon Sir Launcelot, and 
there he served God day and night with 
prayers and fastings. 

Thus the great host abode at Dover. 
And then Sir Lionel took fifteen lords 
with him, and rode to London to seek 
Sir Launcelot. And there Sir Lionel 
was slain and many of his lords. Then 
Sir Bors de Ganis made the great host 
for to go home again. And Sir Bors, 
Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Blamor, Sir 
Bleoberis, with more other of Sir Laun- 
celot's kin, took on them to ride all 
England overthwart and endlong, to 
seek Sir Launcelot. So Sir Bors by 
fortune rode so long till he came to the 
same chapel where Sir Launcelot was. 
And so Sir Bors heard a little bell knell 
that rang to mass, and there he alight, 
and heard mass. And when mass was 
done, the bishop, Sir Launcelot, and Sir 
Bedivere came to Sir Bors. And when 
Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot in that man- 
ner clothing, then he prayed the bishop 
that he might be in the same buit. And 
so there was an habit put upon him, and 
there he lived in prayers and fasting. 



And within half a year there was come 
Sir Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Blamor, 
Sir Bleoberis, Sir Williars, Sir Clarrus, 
and Sir Gahalantine. So all these seven 
noble knights there abode still. And 
when they saw Sir Launcelot had taken 
him unto such perfection, they had no 
list to depart, but took such an habit as 
he had. Thus they endured in great 
penance six year, and then Sir Launcelot 
took the habit of priesthood, and a 
twelvemonth he sang mass. And there 
was none of these other knights but 
they read in books, and holp to sing 
mass, and rang bells, and did bodily all 
manner of service. And so their horses 
went where they would, for they took 
no regard of no worldly riches. For 
when they saw Sir Launcelot endure 
such penance, in prayers and fasting, 
they took no force what pain they 
endured, for to see the noblest knight 
of the world take such abstinence, that 
he waxed full lean. And thus upon a 
night there came a vision to Sir Laun- 
celot, and charged him, in remission of 
his sins, to haste him unto Almesbury, — 
And by then thou come there, thou shalt 
find queen Guenever dead : and there- 
fore take thy fellows with thee, and 
purvey them of an horse bier, and fetch 
thou the corpse of her, and bury her by 
her husband the noble king Arthur. So 
this vision came to Launcelot thrice in 
one night. 

CHAP. XL 

How Sir Launcelot went with his seven 
fellows to Almesbury, and found there 
queen Guenever dead, whom they brought 
to Glastonbury. 

Then Sir Launcelot rose up or day, 
and told the hermit. It were well done, 
said the hermit, that ye made you ready, 
and that ye disobey not the vision. 
Then Sir Launcelot took his seven fel- 
lows with him, and on foot they went 
from Glastonbury to Almesbury, the 
which is little more than thirty miles. 
And thither they came within two days, 
for they were weak and feeble to go. 
And when Sir Launcelot was come to 
Almesbury, within the nunnery, queen 



CHAP. XI. 



OF THE DEATH OF GUENEVER. 



485 



Guenever died but half an hour before. 
And the ladies told Sir Launcelot that 
queen Guenever told them all, or she 
passed, that Sir Launcelot had been 
priest near a twelvemonth, — And hither 
he Cometh as fast as he may to fetch 
my corpse: and beside my lord king 
Arthur he shall buiy me. Wherefore 
the queen said in hearing of them all, 
I beseech Almighty God that I may 
never have power to see Sir Launcelot 
with my worldly eyes. And thus, said 
all the ladies, was ever her prayer these 
two days, till she was dead. Then Sir 
Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept 
not greatly, but sighed. And so he did 
all the observance of the service himself, 
both the Dirige, and on the morn he 
sang mass. And there was ordained an 
horse bier ; and so with an hundred 
torches ever burning about the corpse of 
the queen, and ever Sir Launcelot with 
his eight fellows went about the horse 
bier singing and reading many an holy 
orison, and frankincense upon the corpse 
incensed. Thus Sir Launcelot and his 
eight fellows went on foot from Almes- 
bury unto Glastonbury ; and when they 
were come to the chapel and the her- 
mitage, there she had a Dirige with 
great devotion. And on the morn the 
hermit, that sometime v/as bishop of 
Canterbury, sang the mass of Requiem 
with great devotion : and Sir Launcelot 
was the first that offered, and then all 
his eight fellows. And then she was 
wrapped in cered cloth of Raines, 
from the top to the toe in thirty fold, 
and after she was put in a w^eb of lead, 
and then in a coffin of marble. And 
when she was put in the earth. Sir 
Launcelot swooned, and lay long still, 
while the hermit came out and awaked 
him, and said. Ye be to blame, for ye 
displease God with such manner of 
sorrow making. Tnily, said Sir Laun- 
celot, I trust I do not displease God, 
for He knoweth mine intent, for my 
sorrow was not, nor is not, for any 
rejoicing of sin, but my sorrow may 
never have end. For when I le- 
member of her beauty, and of her 
noblesse, that was both with her king 



and with her ; so when I saw his corpse 
and her corpse so lie together, tiuly 
mine heart would not serve to sustain 
my careful body. Also when I re- 
member me, how by my default, mine 
orgule, and my pride, that they were 
both laid full low, that were peerless that 
ever was living of christian people, wit 
you well, said Sir Launcelot, this re- 
membered, of their kindness and mine 
unkindness, sank so to my heart, that I 
might not sustain myself. So the French 
book maketh mention. 

CHAP. XII. 

How Sir Lauficelot began to sicken, and 
after died, whose body tuas borne to 
Joyous Gard for to be buried. 

Then Sir Launcelot never after eat 
but little meat, nor drank, till he was 
dead ; for then he sickened more and 
more, and dried and dwined away ; for 
the bishop nor none of his fellows might 
not make him to eat, and little he 
drank, that he was waxen by a cubit 
shorter than he was, that the people 
could not know him ; for evermore day 
and night he prayed, but sometime he 
slumbered a broken sleep, and ever 
he was lying groveling on the tomb of 
king Arthur and queen Guenever. And 
there was no comfort that the bishop, 
nor Sir Bors, nor none of his fellows 
could make him, it availed not. So 
within six weeks after, Sir Launcelot 
fell sick, and lay in his bed ; and then 
he sent for the bishop that there was 
hermit, and all his true fellows. Then 
Sir Launcelot said with dreary voice. 
Sir bishop, I pray you give to me all my 
rights that longeth to a christian man. 
It shall not need you, said the hermit 
and all his fellows, it is but heaviness of 
your blood : ye shall be well amended 
by the grace of God to-morn. INIy fair 
lords, said Sir Launcelot, wit you well, 
my careful body will into the earth. I 
have warning more then now I will say, 
therefore give me my rights. So w-hen 
he was houseled and eneled, and had 
all that a christian man ought to have, 
he prayed the bishop that his fellows 



486 



MORTE D ARTHUR. 



might Lear his body to Joyous Gard. 
Some men say it was Anwick, and some 
men say it was Bamborow. Howbeit, 
said Sir Launcelot, me repenteth sore, 
but I made mine avow sometime that in 
Joyous Gard I would be buried, and be- 
cause of breaking of mine avow, I pray 
you all lead me thither. Then there 
was weeping and wringing of hands 
among his fellows. So at a season of 
the night they went all to their beds, 
for they all lay in one chamber. And 
so after midnight, against day, the 
bishop that was hermit, as he lay in 
his bed asleep, he fell upon a great 
laughter; and therewith all the fellow- 
ship awoke, and came unto the bishop, 
and asked him what he ailed. Alas, 
said the bishop, why did ye awake me, 
I was never in all my life so merry and 
so well at ease. Wherefore? said Sir 
Bors. Truly, said the bishop, here was 
Sir Launcelot with me, with more 
angels than ever I saw men upon one 
day ; and I saw the angels heave Sir 
Launcelot unto heaven, and the gates of 
heaven opened against him. It is but 
the vexing of dreams, said Sir Bors, for 
I doubt not Sir Launcelot aileth nothing 
but good. It may well be, said the 
bishop, go ye to his bed, and then shall 
ye prove the sooth. So when Sir Bors 
and his fellows came to his bed they 
found him stark dead, and he lay as he 
had smiled, and the sweetest savour 
about him that ever they felt. Then 
was there weeping and wringing of 
hands, and the greatest dole they made 
that ever made men. And on the mom 
the bishop did his mass of Requiem ; 
and after the bishop and all the nine 
knights put Sir Launcelot in the same 
horse bier that queen Guenever was laid 
in tofore that she was buried : and so 
the bishop and they altogether went 
with the corpse of Sir Launcelot daily, 
till they came to Joyous Gard, and ever 
they had an hundred torches burning 
about him ; and so within fifteen days 
they came to joyous Gard. And there 
they laid his corpse in the body of the 
quire, and sang and read many psalters 
and prayers over him and about him; 



and ever his visage was laid open and 
naked, that all folk might behold him ; 
for such was the custom in those days, 
that all men of worship should so lie 
with open visage till that they were 
buried. And right thus as they were at 
Iheir service, there came Sir Ector de 
Maris, that had seven year sought all 
England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking 
his brother Sir Launcelot. 

CHAP. XIIL 

How Sir Ector fotind Sir Launcelot his 
brother dead. And how Constantine 
reigned next after Arthur, and of the 
end of this book. 

And when Sir Ector heard such 
noise and light in the quire of Joyous 
Gard, he alight and put his horse 
from him, and came into the quire, 
and there he saw men sing and weep. 
And all they knew Sir Ector, but he 
knew not them. Then went Sir Bors 
unto Sir Ector, and told him how there 
lay his brother Sir Launcelot dead. 
And then Sir Ector threw his shield, 
sword, and helm from him; and when 
he beheld Sir Launcelot's visage he 
fell down in a swoon. And when he 
awaked it were hard any tongue to 
tell the doleful complaints that he made 
for his brother. Ah, Launcelot, he 
said, thou were head of all christian 
knights ; and now I dare say, said Sir 
Ector, thou Sir Launcelot, there thou 
liest, that thou were never matched of 
earthly knight's hand ; and thou were 
the courtiest knight that ever bare 
shield ; and thou were the truest friend 
to thy lover that ever bestrode horse ; 
and thou were the truest lover of a sinful 
man that ever loved woman ; and thou 
were the kindest man that ever strake 
with sword ; and thou were the good- 
liest person ever came among press of 
knights ; and thou was the meekest 
man and the gentlest that ever ate in 
hall among ladies; and thou were the 
sternest knight to thy mortal foe that 
ever put spear in the rest. 

Then there was weeping and dolour 
out of measure. Thus they kept Sir 



THE END OF THE WHOLE BOOK. 



487 



Launcelot's corpse on loft fifteen days, 
and then they buried it with great devo- 
tion. And then at leisure they went all 
with the bishop of Canterbury to his 
hermitage, and there they were together 
more than a month. Then Sir Con- 
stantine, that was Sir Cador's son, of 
Cornwall, was chosen king of England ; 
and he was a full noble knight, and 
worshipfully he ruled this realm. And 
then this king Constantine sent for the 
bishop of Canterbury, for he heard say 
where he was; and so he was re- 
stored unto his bishopric, and left that 
hermitage ; and Sir Bedivere was there 
ever still hermit to his life's end. Then 
Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, 
Sir Gahalantine, Sir Galihud, Sir Gali- 
hodin, Sir Blamor, Sir Bleoberis, Sir 
Williars le Valiant, Sir Clarrus of Clere- 
mont; all these knights drew them to 
their countries. Howbeit king Con- 
stantine would have had them with 
him, but they would not abide in this 
realm ; and there they lived in their 
countries as holy men. And some 
English books make mention that they 
went never out of England after the 
death of Sir Launcelot, but that was 
but favour of makers. For the French 



book maketh mention, and is authorised, 
that Sir Bors, Sir Ector, Sir Blamor, 
and Sir Bleoberis, went into the holy 
land, there as Jesu Christ was quick 
and dead, and anon as they had sta- 
blished their lands ; for the book saith 
so Sir Launcelot commanded them for 
to do, or ever he passed out of this 
world. And these four knights did 
many battles upon the miscreants or 
Turks. And there they died upon a 
Good Friday, for God's sake. 

Here is the end of the whole book of 
king Arthur, and of his noble knights 
of the Round Table, that when they 
were whole together there was ever an 
hundred and forty. And here is the 
end of the Death of Arthur. I pray 
you all gentlemen and gentlewomen 
that read this book of Arthur and his 
knights from the beginning to the end- 
ing, pray for me while I am on live that 
God send me good deliverance, and 
when I am dead, I pray you all pray 
for my soul ; for this book was ended 
the ninth year of the reign of king 
Edward the Fourth by Sir Thomas 
Maleore, knight, as Jesu help him for 
his great might, as he is the servant of 
Jesu both day and night. 



il €\)\x^ cnt)ft]b t]^20 noble anU losou^ boolt cntgtlcti Ic morte 33ar= 
t|bur/Kothjit]^^tont)2ttg it ixtaUtl) of tj^c tjgrtlj / Igf / antj atm of t^e 
0agU fegnge ^rt^ur/of \)i^ nodle fensgljtcs of tj^c rountic taf)k/ti)fgr 
meruagUou^ enqucstcg ant) atucntures / tl)afj[)SCU2ng of t\)c 0ang«al/ 
§r in tjbcntie t\)e tioloiitou^ tictjb §f Dcpartgng out of tl)g0 feorlti of tj^em 
al/gaibicljc fjoofe toa^ rctiuceD in to cnglgggl)c bg egr ^i)oma0 i^alorg 
fenggljt a^ afore 10 ^agti/anti bg mc Deugliet) in to xxi boofees; fj^apgtreti 
ant cnprgnteD/anD fgngs^ljct) in t!)abbcg toc^tmcgtrc t\)c la^t tag of 
lugl tj^e geu of our lort iH/©©ee/liix/F/ 



€1 ©axtott me fieri fecit. 



NOTE A. 

See Introduction, (age xiv. note 3. 

' Oh ye mighty and pompous lords, shining in the glory transitory of this 
unstable life, as in reigning over realms great, and mighty countries, fortified with 
strong castles and towers, edified with many a rich city. Ye also, ye fierce and 
mighty chivalers, so valiant in adventurous deeds of arms, behold, behold, see how 
this mighty conqueror Arthur, whom in his human life all the world doubted — ye 
also, the noble queen Guenever, that sometime sat in her chair adorned with gold, 
pearls, and precious stones, now lie full low in obscure foss or pit covered with 
clods of earth and clay. Behold also this mighty champion Launcelot, peerless of 
knighthood, see now how he lieth grovehng on the cold mould, now being so feeble 
and faint that sometime was so terrible, how and in what manner ought ye to be 
so desirous of the mundane honour so dangerous. Therefore me thinketh this 
present book called La Morte Darthur is right necessary often to be read, for in it 
shall ye find the gracious, knightly, and virtuous war of most noble knights of the 
world, whereby they gat praising continual. Also me seemeth by the oft reading 
thereof ye shall greatly desire to accustom yourself in following of those gracious 
knightly deeds, that is to say, to dread God, and to love lightwiseness, faithfully 
and courageously to serve your sovereign prince. And the more that God hath 
given you the triumphal honour the meeker ye ought to be, ever fearing the un- 
stableness of this deceivable world. And so I pass over, and turn again to my 
matter.' 



NOTE B. 

See Introduction, page xvii. note 3. 

For those who may care to see more of the manner in which the text of the 
interpolated passages has been formed, I give the following specimens in detail. 

The first is from the beginning of the nth Chapter of Book XXL 

CAXTON. 

'Than s>t Launcelot rose vp or day/& tolde the heremyte/It were wel done 
sayd the heremyte that ye made you redy/& that ye dyshobeye not the auysyon/ 
Than syr Launcelot toke his vii felowes with hym/& on fote they yede from 
glastynburye to almysburye the whyche is lytel more than xxx myle/& thyder 
they came within two dayes for they were wayke and feble to goo/& whan syr 
Launcelot was come to almysburye within the Nunerye quene g%veneuer deyed but 
halfe an oure afore/and the ladyes tolde syr Launcelot that quene Gueneuer tolde 
hem al or she passyd/that syr Launcelot had been preest nere a twelue monthe/& 
hyder he cometh as faste as he may to fetch my cors/& besyde my lord kyng 
Arthur he shal berye me/' 



NOTES. 489 



WYNKYN DE WORDE, 1498. 

• Thenne syre Launcelot rose vp or day, And tolde the heremyte : It were 
well doon sayd the heremyte / that ye made ye redy/and that ye dysobeye 
not the aduysyon. Thene syr Launcelot toke his .vij. felowes w^ hym/& on fote 
they yede from Glastynbury to Almesbury. the whyche is lytyl more than .xxx. 
myle. And thyder they came wythin two dayes for they were weyke & feble to go. 
And whan syr Launcelot was come to Almesbury wythin the Nunnery/quene 
Gweneuer deyed but halfe an houre afore/ And the ladyes tolde syr Launcelot/that 
quene Gweneuer tolde them all or she passyd/that syr Launcelot had be preest 
nere a twelue month and hither he cometh as fast as he may/to i'etche my corps. 
And besyde my lorde kyng Arthur/he shal bury me.' 

UPCOTT. 

' Than syr Launcelot rose vp or it was day, and tolde the heremyte therof. It 
were well done sayd the heremyte that ye made you redy, and that ye dysobeye not 
thys aduysyon. Thehe syr Launcelot toke his .vii. felawes with hym, & on foote 
they yede from Glastynbury to Almesbury, the whyche is lytyl more than xxx myle. 
And thyder they came wythin two dayes for they were weyke and feble to go. 
And whan syr Launcelot was come to Almesbury wythin the Nonnery, quene 
Gweneuer deyed but halfe an houre afore. And the ladyes tolde syre Launcelot 
that quene Gueneuer tolde them all or she passyd, that syr Launcelot had been 
preest nere a twelue moneth, and hither he cometh as faste as he may for to fetche 
my corps. And besyde my lorde kynge Arthur he shal burye me.' 



The last lines of the same Chapter are as follows : — 



CAXTON. 



• For whan I remembre of hir beaulte and of hir noblesse that was bothe with hyr 
king & with hyr/So whan I sawe his corps and hir corps so lye togyders/truly myn 
herte wold not serue to susteyne my careful body/Also whan I remebre me how 
by my defaut & myn orgule and my pryde/that they were bothe layed ful lowe 
that were pereles that euer Avas lyuyng of cristen people, wyt you wel sayd syr 
Launcelot/this remembred of there kyndnes and myn vnkyndnes sanke so to myn 
herte that I mi3t not susteyne myself so the frensshe book maketh mencyon.' 

UPCOTT, 

(Who follows Wynkyn de Worde exactly, except in the spelling, and in the in- 
sertion of ' me' after ' wold not serue.') 

' For whan I remembre (t calle to mynde her beaute, ho7mtee <0 noblesse, that was 
as wel wyth her kyng my lord Arthur as wyth her. Atid also whanne I saw the 
corses of that nohle kinge <£• nohle quene so lye to gyder in that colde graue made of 
ertbe, that som'yme were so hyghly sette in moost honourable places, truly myn herte 
wolde not serue me to susteyne my wretchyd d: carefull body. Also whan I 
remembre me how by my defavvte myn orgulyte and my pride, that they were both 
layed full lowe whyche were pereles that euer were lyuenge of crysten peple. wyte 
yow wel sayd syr Launcelot, this remembred, of ther kyndnesse & of myn vnkynd- 
nesse, sanke and enprest soo in to my herte that all my tiatural strengthe fayled me, so 
that I myghte not susteyne my selfe. Soo the frensshe boke makyth mencyon.' 



4Q0 NOTES. 



The several colophons are as follows : — 

CAXTON. 

. ' Thus endeth thys noble and loyous book entytled le morte Darthur/Notwith- 
stondyng it treateth of the byrth/lyf/and actes of the sayd kynge Arthur/of his 
noble knyghtes of the rounde table/theyr meruayllous enquestes and aduentures/ 
thachyeu}'ng of the sangreal/& in thende the dolourous deth & departyng out of 
thys world of them al/Whiche book was reduced in to englysshe by syr Thomas 
Malory knyght as afore is sayd/and by me deuyded in to xxi bookes chapytred and 
enprynted/and fynysshed in thabbey westmestre the last day of luyl the yere of our 
lord M/CCCC/lxxx/V/ Caxton me fieri fecit.'/ 



WYNKYN DE WORDE, 1498. 

' Thus endyth this noble and loyous boke entytled Le morte dathur. Notwyth- 
stondyng it treateth of the byrth lyf & actes of the sayd kynge Arthur of his noble 
knyghtes of the rounde table, theyr merueyllous enquestes ik, aduentures. thachyeu- 
ynge of the Sancgreall. And in the ende the dolorous deth. & depaytynge out of 
this worlde of them al. Whyche boke was reduced in to Englysshe by the well 
dysposyd knyghte afore namyd. And deuyde[d| into .xxi. bokes chapitred. & en- 
pryntj^ed] fyrst by Wylliam Caxton /on who[se] soule god haue mercy. And 
newel[ye] prynted. and chapitres of the sam^e ru-]brisshed at Westmestre, by 
Wynk[yn de] Worde y^ yere of our lord. M.C[CCC].lxxxxviij. and ended the .xxv 
[daye of] Marche. the same yere.' 



AMES. 

' Thus endeth this noble and joyous boke, entytled La morte d' Arthur, Not- 
withstondyng it treateth of the byrth, lyf, and actes of the sayd Kynge Arthur, of 
his noble knyghts of the rounde table, theyr merueylous enquestes and aduentures, 
thacheuynge of the Sancgreal, and in the ende the dolourous deth and depaytynge 
out of this worlde of them al ; whyche boke was reduced into Englysshe by syr 
Thomas Malory, Knight, as afore is sayd, and by me devyded into xxi. bookes, 
chapitred and enprynted, and fynisshed in thabbey, Westmestre, the last day of 
Juyl, the yere of our Lord MCCCCLXXXV. Caxton me fieri fecit.' 



IIARLEIAN CATALOGUE. 

' The Byrth, Lyf, and Actes of Kyng Arthur ; of his noble Knyghtes of the 
Rounde Table, theyr marvayllous Enquestes and Adventures ; the Achyeviyng of 
the Sang real ; and in the end le Morte d' Arthur, with the dolourous Deth and 
Departyng out of thys world of them Al. Whiche Book was reduced to the 
Englysshe, by Syr Thomas Malory Knyght, and by me ( W. Caxton) devyded into 
21 bookes, chaptyred and emprynted, and fynyshed in th* Abbey Westmestre, the 
last day of July, the yere of our Lord 1485.' 



NOTES. 491 



UPCOTT. 

' Thus endeth this noble & joyous booke entytled La ^^ort dathtr. Notwyth- 
standing it tieatelh of the byrth, lyf & actes of the sayd Kynge Arthur, <£• of his 
noble knyghtes of the Rounde Table, theyr marueyllous Enquestes & aduentures, 
thacheyuyng of the Sang real, and in the ende le Morte darthur with the dolourous 
deth and departyng out of ihys worlde of them al. Whiche booke was reduced in 
to Englysshe by Syr Thomas Malory knyght as afore is sayd, and by me deuyded in 
to xxi bookes chaptyred and empiynted and fynysshed in thabbey Westmestre the 
last day of July the yere of our lord MCCCCLXXXV. Caxton me fieri fecit.' 

On a comparison of these colophons we see that the article La is only in Ames : 
the spelling of datbur is peculiar to Wynkyn de Worde, who has it also in another 
passage ; the words le Morte darthur with are in the Harleian Catalogue only : as 
afore is said is in neither of these, but it is in Ames : the peculiar mode of writing 
Sang real ^ and the spelling of chaptyred, emprynted, Jtdy, are those of the Harleian 
Catalogue: the <fe introduced after Arthur in the second line is only in Upcott. 
Caxton nie fieri fecit is in Ames, but not in the Harleian Catalogue. 

When I say in Ames or the Harleian Catalogue only, it will be understood that 
I include with the colophon of the former its modernised copy in Dibdin ; and with 
that of the latter its copies in Herbert and the Biographia Britannica ; the references 
to all which I have given in the passage of the Introduction to which this is a 
Note. The first words of the colophon are omitted in the Harleian Catalogue, 
which gives it as the title of the book, as do the Biographia Britannica and 
Herbert. The framer of the Catalogue probably quotes directly, though inaccu- 
rately, from the Harleian (now the Osterley) Morte Darthur : and Ames must have 
made his extract independently from the same volume. Dibdin attributes both 
the Harleian Catalogue and the article in the Biographia Britannica to Oldys. 

^ The division of the word indicates that suggest this meaning : but Roquefort shows 

the writer adopts the plausible notion that clearly that the other is the proper expla- 

Sangreal means Real (or Royal) Blood ; nation, both in etymology and (so to speak) 

and no doubt in ancient as well as mo- historically, 
dern times the spelling and sound would 



GLOSSARY. 


Aligement, alleviation. 390. 


Betid, happened, was; or, beat. 141, 


Allegiance, alleviation. 431. 


332- 


Almerie, cupboard. 411. 


Board, deck. 370. 


Almesbury, 481. See Introduction, 


Bole, trimk of a tree. 126. 


p. vi. 


Boot, help. 162. 


Alther, of us all. 84. 


Brachet, a small scenting dog. 66. 


Aretted, reckoned, i. 


Braid, hastiness. 472. 


Assoil, absolve. 365. 


Brast, brake. 117. 


Assotted, besotted, doting. 75. 


Brim, furious. 464. 


Astonied, stunned. 117. 


Broche, spit, pierce. 39. 


Attaint, fatigued, exhausted. 384. 


Browis, broth, pottage. 129. 


Avail, lower. 110. 


Bur, an iron ling on the spear, to pre- 


Avaunt, boast. 447. 


vent the hand sHpping. 479. 


Avelion, Avalon, the Isle of Apples, 


Burbling, bubbling. 240. 


on which Glastonbury stood. 49. 


Burgen, bud, blossom. 451. 


Aventer, couch spear. 62. 




Awk, backward. 182. 


Camelot, see Introduction, p. v. 




Cardoile, the Anglo-Norman form of 


Barbican, an outwork to defend the 


Carlisle. 76. See Introduction, p. v. 


gate of a castle. (56. 


Carrack, ship. 476. 


Barham Down, near Canterbury. 477. 


Cast, a portion or set of loaves baked 


Mr. Wright says it is the site of an 


together. 140. 


Anglo-Saxon cemetery, which, no 


Cered, waxed. 485. 


doubt, suggested that a battle had 


Chafe, heat. 106. 


been fought there. 


Chaflet, platform. 477. 


Battles, armies, battalions. 105, 265. 


Child, squire, or young knight. 109, 392. 


Beame, trumpet. 478. 


Churl, peasant, boor. 1 20. 


Bee, ring, bracelet, or other ornament. 


Cleped, called. 409. 


l^^- 


Coasted, kept at the side, in a parallel 


Behest, promise. 209. 


course. 433. 


Behight, promise. 411. 


Cogge, cock, i.e. cock-boat. 10 r. 


Behote, promise. 168. 


Courtelage, court-yard, or garden. 94, 


Benwick. See p. 469. 


121, 379. 


Bery, apparently meant for Bere, bier, 


Covin, deceit, plot. 360. 


or bear. 385. 


Croft, vault. 406. 


Besaunt, a gold coin first coined at By- 




zantium. 95. 


Daffish, foolish. 236. 


Beseen, adorned, clothed. 51. 


Debonair, courteous. 394. 


Bestad, Bested, beset. 476. 


Defoil, trample underfoot, overcome. 


Betaught, recommended. 359. 


200. 



494 ' GLOSSARY. 


Deliverly, actively. 473. 


Halse, embrace. 178. 


Depart, part. 483. 


Handfast, betrothed. 272. 


Devise, look carefully at. 402. 


Handsel, payment, earnest-money. 1 74. 


Devoir, knightly duty. 149, 469. 


Harness, armour, iii. 


Dight, dressed. 79. 


Harnessed, furnished, set. 189. 


Dole, grief. 45. 


Hauberk, coat or frock of mail, made 


Draughts, apparently recesses parted 


of plates or chain-links sewn upon 


off from the main room. 442. 


leather. 39. 


Dress, turn towards, address. 402. 


Haut, high, noble. 183. 


Dromon, a vessel of war. 101. 


Hight, was called. 25. 


Duresse, bondage. 357. 


Ho! halt! the word for stopping a 


Dvvine, dwindle. 485. 


tournament. 40, 278. 




Holt, a hill with a grove on it. 480. 


Enchafe, heat. 372. 


The ' two holts hoar' are described as 


Eneled, anointed (with extreme unction). 


* two cliffs,' 484. 


486. 


Houselled, To be, to receive the sacra- 


Eft, again. 4S0. 


ment. 260. 


Eftures, passages. 444. 


Hove, hover, stand. 97. 


Erst, before. 254. 


Hurtle, dash. 138. 


Fewter, put spear in the rest. 107. 


Inde, dark blue. 137. 


Flacket, flask. 181. 


Intermeddle, intermix. 404. 


Foin, push in fencing. 142. 




Fordo, undo. 74. 


Jesseraunt, a sort of cuirass, of back 


Forthdays, late in the day. 455. 


and breast plates. 3 1 . 


Forthink, grieve, 379 ; repent, 74. 


Journey, day's work, 268. 


Foster, forester. 381. 


Joyous Gard. 486. See Introduction, 


Gad, spike or knob of iron or steel. 


p. vi. 


373- 


Largesse, bounty. 308. 


Gainest, readiest. 145. 


Laton, a mixed metal, like brass. 57. 


Gerfalcon, the finest kind of hawk. 


Lawn, an open space in a forest. 90. 


96. 


Lazar-cote, a hut for keeping lepers in. 


Gest, deed, story. 123. 


190. 


Gisarm, two-edged battle-axe. 96. 


Leech, physician, surgeon, 45. 


Glaive, a long blade at the end of a 


Let to, hinder from. 476. 


lance, a sword. 70. 


Lever, rather. 102. 


Glasting. 287. See Questing. 


Libbard, leopard. 207. 


Graale, Grail. 327. See Sancgreal. 


Lief, dear. 480. 


Gramercy (written Grant mercy, 418), 


Liones, sometimes said to be a supposed 


great thanks. 71. 


tract of country called Lionesse, be- 


Gree, degree, prize. 226. 


tween the Land's End and the Scilly 


Greece, Hart of, a fat deer. 323. 


Isles, now submerged. But more 


Guerdonless. 323. 


probably St. Pol de Leon in Brittany 




is meant. 


Haberjon, see Hauberk. AMien the 


Logris, Loegria, Saxon Britain. 213, 


' chausses ' or mail leggings were 


Loth, hateful, 179. 


united with the Hauberk the whole 


Lotless, without a share. 242. 


was called an Haberjon. 385. 


Lowe, hillock or tumulus. 449. 


Hair, hair-shirt. 373. 




Hale and how! pull ho! the cry of 


Maker, author, poet. 487. 


sailors. 141. 


Mal-ease, bad plight. 196. 


Halp, Holp, helped. 95. 


Mal-engine. evil design. 416. 




































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